I've been reappraising my books. I'm proud of them, and as strange as it is to say since I wrote them, they're better than I expected.

I came back to writing with doubts. I submerged all doubts and forged ahead. I wrote what I wanted., when I wanted, how I wanted. I got feedback that made me feel like I wasn't wasting my time, but it wouldn't have mattered. I had creative energy to burn.

Eventually, I felt that I had achieved what I set out to achieve.

As time has passed, and interesting thing has happened. I've become more and more proud of my books, not just because I achieved my goal, but because I truly believe that I have writing talent, that the books are well done, original, and diverse. I believe they are satisfying reading experiences. 

All the rest is BS. What others think, what level of sales they achieved, how well known I became or didn't become. BS. 

What counts is that I know I wrote some good stuff. And I'm proud of it.