We Knew From The Start That Things Fall Apart

    Look around a minute.  You'll see some changes.  That's a good thing.  Some people don't deal with change well.  It makes them nervous.  Goofy.  Afraid. 

    I am officially retiring The Enemy persona, and with it, many of the rants and raves that were formerly found on this site.  My reasons are pretty simple.  I don't want to be a blogger anymore.  For over a year, I've committed to posting regularly on the EB, and found myself covering a wide array of of topics, ranging from politics to poetry, fiction to historical research. 

    There were benefits, and also negatives, to this.  For one, writing the EB, and finding an audience there, made it easy for me to communicate my ideas in a written manner and get instant feedback.  I'd sit down, start typing, and before you know it, people were reading it.  Compared to the actual process a writer has to go through to get work submitted, approved, and published, it was like a dream come true. 

    But that dream has since gone thin.  You see, if truth be told, I shouldn't be doing a blog.  If truth be told, I'm starting to see the whole thing as kind of masturbatory and self-indulgent.  I want to be a published, professional author.  And to do that, you gotta follow the Big Folks rules, kids.  There's formats, structures, word counts, and genre issues to deal with.  There's also a hell of lot of research and gruntwork that goes into mailing, copying, and following-up submissions.

    In the past week, I've grown serious about getting some real publishing credits.  I submitted five pieces to five different periodicals.  I only heard back from one so far, and they accepted it.  One of my "Way of the Warrior" essays will be appearing in the American Police Beat in an upcoming issue.  The first thing they told me was that it was too long, at 1,500 words.  The second thing they told me was that they normally only give people 450 words.  The third thing they told me was that they are giving me 650 words because, and I quote (Irene can back me up on this), it is "So good."

    And maybe that's what I need to know.  Am I really good?  I can blog all day, and get comments and feedback, and everything is groovy, but can I hang with the big boys?  Can I do this, for real?

    That is exactly what I intend to find out, folks.  I will keep this page as active as I can, always updating it when I have news to report.  God willing, you can read here to see whenever a publication will be carrying something written by Yours Truly.

    It may take some time for me to make the complete transition on this page from "Enemy Blog" to "Official Website," so for now, continue to write to me at BtheEnemy@comcast.net, or add me to your Facebook and message me there. 

    Thanks. 

                                                                                b. 

PS: I just checked the America's Most Wanted website and saw that Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Bowes is now a FINALIST.  That is AWESOME.  Thank you to everyone who voted!  You helped him get there!  Please continue to check the AMW site (Follow the link below) to see when we can vote to help Bowes win the whole thing. 

Comments

[sam]

ok

[irene adler, COO]

Yes, I see the website has already begun its metamorphosis. A few short months ago, you were on about the thrills of Metal Gear online gaming. I practically had to talk you off the ledge when you thought we decommissioned the Comcast connection in your office. And today? Today you are alluding to an 18th century Scottish biographer and diarist I had to research in order to understand the reference. Nicely done.

I do want to take this opportunity to point out that since you are no longer CEO of Enemy Productions and will not be signing my paycheck, you may find a slightly different tone in my communications.

[AP]

Congratulations, I know you will truely be successful. You are one of the most self driven people I know. I too will miss reading your wonderful poems, stories, and opinions on the EB. But, I know that someday soon I will be reading them elsewhere. Best of luck to you, B. You deserve only the best.

[b.]

Hold the phone, Miss Adler. You aren't going anywhere. I'd be lost without my Boswell, y'know.

[barbara]

Wow, B., congratulations on having your article published! Superb news.

I must say I am having a deja vu moment around discovering The Enemy Blog will be changing into the Bernard J Schaffer Official Website. If my understanding is correct, that signals the end of The Enemy Blog; in spirit, at least. Hmmm. Why do I feel compelled to write an email to a C*I*G? Feels oddly familiar. I'm sure no good can come from it, though.

Thank you for taking the time to express your thoughts and opinions. I will miss the blog but wish you the best with your next adventure. How strange, that feels familiar, too.

[irene adler, COO]

As Chief Operating Officer of Enemy Productions, does this mean I'm out of a job? Should I update my resume?