Congrats Drew! I had the experience of getting published many years ago, but the subject matter wasn't particularly exciting. It was a recurring article in a trade magazine about government contracting. Gripping content for sure. Each installment was some absurd contracting scenario, and Karla the Contractor used portions of the regulations to save the day. The first few installments were pretty good, then I ran out of ideas, then I started getting answers wrong, then they stopped running it. But still, it was fun while it lasted.
You won't have any of those problems.
The common thread mistake you summed up, more or less complacency to the point of maybe getting a little cocky, reminded me of teaching my kids to drive. That didn't stop with them getting their licenses, not by a longshot. It doesn't take long before they've got enough experience behind the wheel to get both cocky and complacent. Once in a while something happens that kind of puts you in your place, erases that attitude, and humbles you a bit. You just have to hope those humility checks happen in situations that don't result in anything bad, and that's usually the case.
Anyway, congratulations, Drew. It was a fun read, you're a very engaging writer, and I hope your opportunities continue to expand.
