I seem to have mislaid my gruntle. I know that’s not a proper word, but it should be because I feel decidedly disgruntled when I read one of my regular monthly articles. So, if I can be disgruntled that must mean my gruntle has gone AWOL. Ignoring the semantics, why would one of my own articles make me feel so out of sorts? I hear you ask. Well, not actually hear you, but on a writer/reader level, I am able to convince myself that’s the case, so I will answer you.
Until such time as my novels get to the stage of challenging Val McDermid and Kathy Reichs for bestseller slots, writing articles will remain part of my day job. Some, like this column, go out with my name at the top of the page (for others, it’s in a bio at the bottom). Still more are published without any mention of me as author. I don’t mind not getting an acknowledgement as these anonymous pieces generally pay well and every penny helps to keep creditors from my door.