AUTHOR'S JOURNAL

Hi.
I'm Robert E Kreig and I make stuff up.
Today, as I sit and write this, it is Remembrance Day (11th November 2023: Australian time).
For me, at the moment, it seems rather counter-productive to try and consider our fallen warriors who fought for freedom, liberty and the right to live only to see brutal conflict, oppression and injustice continue to parade across our television screens on the evening news.
Unfortunately, as I get older, I have come to realise that this is life and this is how it always has been and will be.
I used to watch the parades and always endeavoured to attend the dawn services on ANZAC Day, to show my respect and hope the likes of what took so many young lives wouldn't occur again. But, it seems inevitable that mankind will always fall into the trap where rich men, dictators, religious ideologists and their political puppets will call for others to die in their place.
I know it's always more complicated than that, but it still sucks, nevertheless.
As more wrinkles spread over my skin, I've come to a place where escapism is my best option rather than trying to observe the ceremonies and parades.
Don't get me wrong. I still respect the fallen warriors, but I can't listen to the incessant waffling of men in suits reading from their well written speeches, penned by their assistants, before laying a elegant wreath at the foot of a memorial where they pose for all the cameras, illuminated by the electric storm of flash bulbs emitting from devices all around.
As I get older, Remembrance Day makes me angry.
The meaning of it has passed away.
It appears that the world has ignored it, forgotten what pain we endured after the Great War and revisited in WW2. Instead, conflict ensues, politicians continue to make their speeches and pose for the cameras before returning to their offices to discuss the next conflict.
When will we learn?
Do we ever learn?
I wonder if the fallen ever have the chance to look upon us and see what we've become. If they can see how far we've progressed. If they question whether we have even progressed at all.
So, as my bones ache and I think about remembrance day, I prepare to escape.
Today, this remembrance day, I choose to escape into words.
I write.
I read.
I escape.
Until next time...
All the best and happy reading,
Robert.

Hi,
I'm Robert E Kreig and I make stuff up.
Today, I thought I'd take a moment to thank the increasing number of people who are discovering my books and following me on various social media platforms. It's a great honour to know you are enjoying my novels and I hope you continue to explore the excellent, exciting and enchanting works of indie writers, authors and publishers out there.
I applaud anyone willing to venture outside of the traditional bookstores to chance upon something, a piece of art, produced by an indie-author who, through blood, sweat and tears, risks it all to self-publish their stories. Your purchase of our books confirms our efforts were worth it. But, your support encourages us to press on.
If I could ask for you to go one more mile for us indie-authors, additionally to the follows on social media, and leave a review for our books on the store's website and a reader's platform like Goodreads and Amazon. It may sound strange, but reviews assist with promoting our works through the various bookseller websites' algorithms.
Anything you say about our work is taken to heart. We want to hear from you. Your feedback is appreciated.
Now, with that said, I really should get back to writing.
I am finding it difficult to focus at the moment as, being an indie author, I need to also perform my duties at my regular day job. My latest work, as a result, is coming along extremely slow and steady.
Until next time...
All the best and happy reading,
Robert.
​

Hi,
I'm Robert E Kreig and I make stuff up.

I just signed the Authors Guild's Open Letter to Generative AI Leaders calling on them to compensate writers fairly for the use of copyrighted materials in their AI programs.
Please join me and other writers in taking action. Click here to read the open letter and sign now: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/authors-guild-open-letter-to-generative-ai-leaders?source=email&

Happy reading and all the best,
​
Robert.

Hi.
I'm Robert E Kreig and I make stuff up.
Writing has been a slow process over the last few months. For those who don't know, most indie authors hold jobs to keep food on the table. Writing, as much as we love it, is something that often takes second place. Because of this, and the fact that my job is very high demanding, I've made little progress with my latest manuscript. But, with a long way to go, we're getting there.
Recently, I've had a change of workplace, a transfer from one location to another, which meant I needed to make sure what I left behind was tidied and ready for my replacement. This forced me to disregard the WIP (work in progress) which allowed me to disconnect from the story and characters for a while. I returned to it yesterday and read through what I had written, edited some things and added an extra thousand words (give or take a few). With an unofficial target of 90, 000 words, I now sit at around 25, 000.
A sudden left hook from imposter syndrome hit me like a sledge hammer, leading me to question my existence and why I ever try to do anything, especially write books. Why is this so hard? Why is everything in the universe trying to prevent me from writing? Why do the Lords of Kobol hate me? You're not a writer. Why are you wasting your time?
Rest assured, I endure... I press on... I will continue to write and publish my stuff. It just may take a little longer than I anticipated.
So, why am I sharing this?
Because, I know I'm not the only one who experiences this kind of attack. I know many people, in many situations go through moments of imposter syndrome and question their work.
Hang in there.
Endure.
Press on.
I intend to, and so should you.
That's all from me.
Happy reading and all the best,

Robert.