Two Shelves Full

I have a big oak book case in my office and two twenty eight inch long shelves hold copies of all of the books and booklets that I’ve written in my lifetime to date.  One is a single poem I wrote in 1943. Another a long, long poem I wrote sitting on my army bunk in Sapporo in 1952. There are many books of poetry and a thick book with just the lyrics of the songs I have written.  There are books on speaking, on safety and sales, novels, spiritual books, books on motivation and creativity and my children’s books on positive living. The list goes on and on because I never told myself what I had to write. I gave my muse free reign.  I even have a book about my books called Stuff I Wrote.

I figure those books have kept me alive all this time. I began writing those books in earnest the day I joined A.A.- February 13, 1961.  The next day I bought an old used Underwood Typewriter through a want ad in our newspaper. Then I stopped off at the office supply store and purchased a ream of paper. Next I drove over to a local printer and ordered business cards that read “Art Fettig, Freelance Writer.”  I wasn’t writing to accumulate great wealth. All I ever asked of a book is that it pay its way. That is, to bring in as much money as I spent on it so that I could go on writing the next one.  Most brought back what I invested and some did very well by me.  It wasn’t what a book could do for me financially, it was what the book did for me while I was writing it.  It brought me great joy, gave me a sense of purpose. I guess I had the same feeling that a sculptor or an artist or a home builder might experience. I guess my plan is working.  Since the day I had those cards printed I have been a writer and I have never had another drink of alcohol.

When I meet folks who tell me that one day they want to write a book I encourage them. “Sure you can write a book.” Some seek fame and fortune. Some want to prove something. Some have a story so powerful inside that they feel they will burst if they don’t share it.  Me?  Well I’m writing this blog this morning and this afternoon I’m working on another book.