Is It Really Real?

My Week #17 Submission

My Creator posted this note at some time or another last week. But as you’ll soon see, I won the fight. So I get to pick this week’s prompt! And I thought it fitting, since I gave you my first hit this week, for y’all to Bring The Pain — which is my man Meth’s debut. -Hank Cotton

I came to bring the pain, hardcore from the brain
Let’s go inside my astral plane.

I feel as though I’m at a crossroads — to embrace it, or not? That is the question.

Is It Really Real? Is this community and my personal growth, seemingly because of my participation on this platform true? And do I want to be connected in this way? Is this what I want my life to be? I honestly don’t know. I think so, and yet I’m also hella-afraid. (I have what I consider, a healthy distrust of technology — but is it really healthy? The essay I shared from Sean of the South, is just one of the things that have recently made me question my stance…

Is It Really Real? These connections via a device — can they actually produce long term results that benefit me? Could it one day interfere with the actual people that are in my physical life? Don’t they deserve all of me? Or is it okay to ask them to share me with the friends that I’ve made online? Is that fair to them?

And yet, this is what the writing world has become. If I want to be a successful writer, as in selling copies of works, isn’t this a necessity? Don’t you have to have a ‘following’ to get a book deal these days?

Wasn’t this what I asked for, when I came off the road? Has Substack just become my new travel destination — now, since I’m homebound?

Starting the Stories from the Jukebox pub has already increased my required screentime each day. But, it’s also fostered connections with many I wouldn’t have otherwise made. It might even lead to a magazine! And has certainly tested my writing ability in a good way.

Is this my path? How do I know which fork to take?

Someone new just liked my quote from Jack London. “The proper function of a man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

Is It Really Real? Is this living? Is this what life has become, friendships online? I wanted to join a writing and philosophy community, and I have. Does the fact that it’s through a SM platform matter?

My Sweetheart says, No. She says she’s okay with sharing me with y’all, and that I’m making too much of all this. Isn’t she amazing!

But, Is It Really Real?

Yes I Think It’s Real Son, I Think It’s Really Real — at least for now. So I reckon I’ll embrace it, and go all in on this deal. I mean, it is my dream to become a Best Seller. And I damn sure ain’t gonna get there by standing on the sidelines.

So I did it — I’m letting y’all in on Mr. Cotton. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. And, I think I’ve got some more tricks up my sleeve too…😉

Let’s Go!!!

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Thanks for reading! If you’re a writer, I hope this’ll inspire you to make your own submission!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply — I want to hear from you too! Are you familiar with The Wu-Tang Clan? If so, you and Hank are going to get along quite well😎

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Over the Road