If I'm being totally objective, I would love to make money as a writer. It gives a literal, tangible value to the work I've done that I can look at and (hopefully) see increase over time.

But what I want most of all is for my writing to matter to people.

I want the characters I write to make readers invested in them. I don't want someone to look at my work and think "hey, that's definitely Tim there in that line".

I want them to forget they're reading. To feel like the story is real and that those in it matter. That's my goal.

This tiny thread has been brought to you by bourbon.

Bourbon: Letting me get introspective about my writing because it's better than the alternative.