demographic , where the gatekeepers are and where a lot of red flags went up . “ When we circled the wagons , I asked for complaints .” He got specific ones from the group , and after they got through all of that , it educated him . He said , “ I think I wrote the best book I could write .”
“ Other writers come to me now with questions ,” Riley told me . “ In the Boise area , writers are generous with their time , and I can call up some of them and offer to buy coffee if they talk to me and make suggestions . They will say a few words that click , and I ’ ve learned that every writer has different ways to get to where they want to be .”
Art requires a bit of bravery and confidence . Pilots are like that . They have to be cocky to a degree . They are all alone in their planes , above enemy territory . They put their lives on the line every time , and hopefully , they make it back from the mission . Once they do , they feel good and a little bit cocky — it ’ s a survival trait unless it diverges into arrogance . That ’ s what gets people killed . In the art world , you have to have talent to be noticed . Sometimes you have to shout in the wind . When people come out and actually want your signature on stuff you ’ ve worked on , it ’ s an amazing experience !
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