So I’m guessing for most of you, the first question on your mind is probably:

What in blue blazes is Blood, Sweat and Keyboards?

Well, in a word, Blood, Sweat and Keyboards is going to be my space to talk about writing. Primarily, at least: a few other topics might sneak in every now and then, but BS&K will primarily focus on writing, mostly my own but also perhaps that of others as well.

I’ve been an aspiring writer since I was 14. By now, I’ve lived just about double the life I’d lived at that point, and all I’ve managed to publish in that time is one lousy little short story (not that I’m ungrateful Join got published: I still have to remind myself sometimes that yes, I am actually a published author, and remembering that is always followed by at least a little surge of pride). The fact remains, though, that apart from that one story, I haven’t managed to publish anything. And because I haven’t been able to publish anything, I don’t feel like I’ve been able to engage with my audience much (meager as that audience may be at this point).

And so, I decided to start a blog solely dedicated to writing, what goes into becoming a writer, and my journey toward finally publishing that first novel.

Now, I’m aware that I’m far from the first aspiring writer to have a blog. And I’m also aware that a blog alone isn’t really the best way to get your name out there. That’s why I’m planning on also posting to social media more often (both to my long-inactive Facebook page and also to a writing-specific Instagram account I plan on creating). Those things probably won’t make much of a dent either – for the neophyte, every new follower is a struggle – but they couldn’t hurt.

I think doing all this will give those of you interested enough in my writing wheeling and dealings to read this something to chew on while I try and get my name out there. It could also give some of you out there who might be curious some insight into what I’m working on, what the process is for trying to get a book published, that sort of thing. After all, breaking into the world of publishing, as I’ve discovered, is a monumental task. Actually, scratch that. Monumental is too small a word. Gargantuan? Epic? Colossal? I don’t know.

Perhaps more importantly than any of what I’ve said already, though, my posts here on BS&K will act as a story in and of themselves. They’ll give those of you reading this an opportunity to take this twisting road with me, to follow along as I continue chasing my white whale. Over the years, the burning questions will be answered. Can Eric bring to life the scene he’s replayed in his head a trillion times, the one where he walks into Chapters, looks through the shelves and finds his own book nestled in among the volumes? Failing that, can he at least do what he’s longed to do for well over a decade, and make someone else fall in love with a story the way he fell in love with his old favourites?

That’s yet to be seen. But despite how close I came this summer to throwing it all away, by gar, I’m goanna find out. So come with me, if you’re so inclined, and we can take this journey together. You don’t have to check in every week – or hell, even every month – but if you’re at all curious as to how the writing’s going…all that info will now just be a few clicks away.

As of now, I’m thinking I’ll try to post here every Friday, excepting holidays. I am notoriously bad at keeping a consistent posting schedule, though, so we’ll see. I’m hoping the posts won’t get too repetitive, but be warned: by its very nature, writing is a repetitive task, and so for several months at a time you’ll see posts saying I worked on Book X this week, edited book Y for a while, week after week after week. Hey, it takes time to write a book!

Anyway, goodnight, everyone (or if it’s not nighttime when you read this, insert the proper greeting here). Be sure to check back frequently, tell your friends, and get ready for some fun.