Let's Talk About This Site, Shall We?

If you’ve made it this far, clearly I’ve made it a lot further than I kept anticipating.

Hello there, new reader (assuming you aren’t a relative or friend of mine just on the site giving me feedback.) You’ve landed at Michael Joseph Tharnish Roby’s author website. MJTR is a totally acceptable, much beloved shortening, by the way. It seemed appropriate to spend my first musing reflecting on that process a bit, both in how it ties into creativity and to give a sense of the breezy feel I want this particular section of the site to exude.

Initially (and perhaps currently, depending on when you’re reading this), this Wix site was hastily thrown together shortly after my second publication got picked up. My fellow writers listed in the back of the book were sure to have bios with their websites and such, so I needed to do likewise. I needed to develop my brand beyond occasional bizarre Facebook messages only my friends and relatives would see. In the time between college and grad school I think I’ve taken two classes on business and new media in total, probably explains my truly stellar web design, huh? If anybody thinks I’m doing better than Homer Simpson in that episode he steals the dancing Jesus gif, I suppose I’m taking a small step. Trying to get the images and links to line up where I wanted them was an occasionally arduous task. The Homer Simpson comparison feels right because I wanted to shout, “Why you little!” and strangle my humble little Acer a couple of times there, but for the moment, everything looks okay.

There’s a certain sense of, “how did I end up here?” as I reflect on my struggles building this little site. Younger me would probably be appalled I’m building this myself after I had a short story sell. “What are you doing writing short stuff?!” the little punk demands. “Where’s our 15-part fantasy epic? You’re thirty now?! Way to go, moron, you missed out on the marketing opportunity of, ‘this guy is a master of his craft, and look how young he is!” To which I say, “Hey, I’m married to your high school sweetheart and nobody makes me cut my hair anymore. I’d say I’m doing all right.”

So here I am, a thirty-year-old master of fine arts guy with one publication from last year, and another coming out here in a few months. I wrote a couple creepypastas years back, tried my hands at a Let’s Play career that went nowhere, and have always dreaded seeking publicity. I’m sure those will make interesting stories, look forward to those musings. But here at the crossroads, I’m giving it a shot. There are few feelings in the world more excellent that knowing you’ve entertained or moved someone. So perhaps if I swallow the pill and get doing some more promoting like this, I’ll reach a few more people and get a few more laughs and a few more bits of sentimentality out my audience.

By the way, this section is called, “musings,” because it sounds whimsical and is alliterative with my name. “Michael’s Musings” or “MJTR’s Musings” sounds better than anything I can think of that includes the word, “blog.”

So here I am at the precipice of a new creative venture. Time will tell how this one shakes out. Happy reading out there.