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aline soules's avatar

Congratulations on making it to the top of the mountain.

Julie Fontes's avatar

I attempted Whitney for the second time on Monday night. I think I could have made it alone, but I was with a group that had planned to stick together. NOW I feel the need to summit more than ever. That mountain gets under your skin, Man! I was even on the site looking for dropped permits this morning. Congratulations on your accomplishment. It’s no joke.

Colin Mustful's avatar

You’ll get it!

Jonna Shutowick's avatar

We can do hard things! That's been a motto I've had on a post it above my desk for years now. Since you asked, my hard thing at the moment is birthing this first draft for the novel that has been writing itself in my head for 20+ years!

Colin Mustful's avatar

Yay 🎉🎉🎉

Jenna Vandenberg's avatar

Well now I want to drop everything and go climb Mt Whitney!

Colin Mustful's avatar

Sounds like a good idea to me!

Greg Sanford's avatar

I'm going to check that out. You also recommended Steven Pressfield's less delicately titled, No One Wants to Read Your Sh*t, which has great advice about writing. He also wrote The War of Art which is a quick and profitable read.

Stephen Bondar's avatar

Congratulations!!!! This is something you wanted to do, apart from your business and everything else, and you did it. Whenever you talk about this, it makes me think of my dad, and the marathons he ran all over the world. Not to mention running with the bulls in Spain. Twice. Whitewater rafting in New Guinea. Coming within an inch of drowning too.

For me, right now, the hard thing is getting my manuscript published, even though I’m going to probably self publish it with a lot of help, so that it will be polished. I will have Robin’s input, I will also have Melissa to market it for me. I’ve already had some discussion with an artist for the front and back covers. And I intend to get a blurb from Kirkus reviews.

But all of these things cost money, and that part is really up and down for me right now. But I will get it all together, hopefully in the right order.

But you really have something to be proud of. You don’t have to just say that you tried and circumstances didn’t allow you to finish; you went back and did it! And those pictures are also amazing.

I know you mentioned a marathon a few posts back, but I would just like to ask what your next personal challenge, completely outside of writing and publishing, is?

Colin Mustful's avatar

You’re doing great, Stephen, and I’m certain you will accomplish your book publishing goals! As for me, my next personal goal is probably dating. I’m very brave when it comes to physical endeavors but not so brave when it comes to relationships.

Stephen Bondar's avatar

I wish you the best with that! I know it isn’t the easiest thing, but you’ll definitely meet some people, and maybe even the right one.