Jamieson Wolf
Number-one bestselling author
The Thing Of It.
So, here’s the thing.
I had thought that the recent rejection of my novel Minotaur by a publisher wasn’t a big deal, but it kind of was. Last night, I was going to post about not writing novels anymore and just focusing on writing poetry, short stories and painting. The thing of it is, I had written and edited Minotaur with that specific publisher in mind. It took me three long years to complete that journey. When they said no by giving me a drive by rejection (your novel doesn’t fit our specific needs, blah blah blah) without even reading the book, I was stung.
It’s not like I was even licking my wounds. Normally, I pick myself up and just try again, but it was different this time. There was no downward spiral, I just felt like I was done. I thought of self-publishing Minotaur and still might, but it’s a great book.
I know it’s just a matter of looking for the right publisher and I know that they are out there. I had thought I was done with writing books, but after I posted a short story I wrote, a friend of mine had commented saying that she couldn’t wait to find out what I did with the world that I had created. That was the seed I needed and now I’m finished the prologue and am into the first chapter of a novel that I think will be a bit of a mind fuck.
Writing or any kind of creative endeavour is hard work. I work full time and write and paint after work. It’s like I work two full time jobs, the one that pays the bills and the other gives back to my spirit. As tough as being an artist with words and paint can be, it’s where my heart and mind feel most free. When I can’t write, I paint to clear the way for the words. When I can’t paint, I write so that the words will show me the way.
Clearly, I’m not done writing novels, and thank goodness for that. I always have so many stories and words within me that they would drive me round the bend if they didn’t have the page to play on. I’m not sure what is next for me on my journey with words, but I know that I will always have stories to tell for those that want to read them.
Thanks for listening. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some words to write.
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Jamieson Wolf has written a compelling story about navigating multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. His story will touch your heart, make you cry, then laugh, and inspire you. A touching memoir with a bit of magic…and tarot! ~ Theresa Reed, author of The Tarot Coloring Book
Jamieson Wolf 
Keep going and don’t stop. My situation was/is different but my love for writing has always been there. Of all the things I felt inspired to do, writing was my sanctuary. I was injured pretty significantly when I was 23. Up to that point I’d spend a few hours writing on the days I had time.
My injury was odd. My spine was twisted but people didn’t see blood or bone after the wreck so they thought I was faking. I worked as best as I could just trying to live. I lost 37 different jobs I can remember, and many more that I can’t. I lost all these jobs for the same reason. After receiving a new job things would always play out the same way. Regardless of how well I was doing my spine would end up locking up. I might make it three weeks and one time I made it nine months but every time my back failed me.
Two of my own brothers told me they thought I was lazy. The year they saw the scans and X-rays I got more for my birthday that year than I did the previous twenty combined. I am no medical professional but when your spine looks like the opening scene of the Two Towers where they are travelling into Mordor it is not good.
In 2021 I had two vertebrae replaced and they bolted my spine from L5 to S1. I can walk better than I have in years and that is something I am very grateful for. They won’t give me disability and in truth I don’t want it. It took a few years for me to realize I wasn’t going to be able to work. I always hoped I could but it is not to be.
I finally had a moment of clarity. Do I give up and try and get disability, which they keep denying, or do I try something else?
After the surgery I started seeing a therapist. After almost two years something hit me like a bolt of lightning. “Write you idiot!”
On April 7th of last year I started an experiment. For years I would come home and nearly be in tears just trying to take my work boots off. I would literally sit in a chair and vibrate from the pain radiating from my spine. I couldn’t even hope to write in that state. Suddenly, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. My therapist said I didn’t need her anymore a few months into my writing experiment. Writing gave me a purpose and I realized I could focus again. The pain is bad and it may always be this way, but nothing picked up my spirits in all this time like this past year of writing.
My biggest regret was not trying to make writing work when I was young. I wasn’t sure enough of my writing to take the risk. Keep writing, don’t stop. Something has pushed you in this direction, so let it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Sorry I wrote a novella on your post. Like I said keep writing!
Dam! Sorry to hear about the rejection! The world of publishing is soul destroying isn’t it?
I’m excited to see where the new story leads you! ❤️