Question: Another Year . . .
I know I kind of disappeared for a couple of weeks without notice. Sorry about that. My schedule got really crazy. And I didn't have any great blog ideas. I am in the process of figuring out what I want my blog to be next year. Until then, I will carry on . . . It's Monday. It's time for a question.
As the year comes to a close, I've been thinking about what I accomplished this year on the writing front. This year has had its share of ups and downs. For instance, I finished The Collector and believed it was a contender for publication. Unfortunately, no one in the publication industry did. However, I got a number of requests. AND several people told me I have strong writing skills. Now, those of you who have been around my blog for a while, know that I have a journalism degree. So, the news that I have writing skills should not be . . . well, news. But it is. The difference between writing a story for a newspaper and writing a 60,000 is similar to the difference between Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies to homemade chocolate chip cookies. Sure, they're both cookies...but one requires a lot more skill and time and effort. And one taste better. Okay, enough of that analogy. Onward . . . I started two stories. After 70 pages, Mirrors landed in proverbial writing trunk when I realized I lack the writing skills to tackle it at this time in my life. The other story, Whispers, I am still chipping away at (26,000 words and counting). With any luck--which I don't believe in, but it's the thing to say--I will have that story done this time next year, and I'll be pondering the merits of sending it into the world.
I know, you're wondering where's the question. Patience, Grasshopper. Patience.
Good.
Now, the question: What strides did you make in your writerly life in 2011?
As the year comes to a close, I've been thinking about what I accomplished this year on the writing front. This year has had its share of ups and downs. For instance, I finished The Collector and believed it was a contender for publication. Unfortunately, no one in the publication industry did. However, I got a number of requests. AND several people told me I have strong writing skills. Now, those of you who have been around my blog for a while, know that I have a journalism degree. So, the news that I have writing skills should not be . . . well, news. But it is. The difference between writing a story for a newspaper and writing a 60,000 is similar to the difference between Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies to homemade chocolate chip cookies. Sure, they're both cookies...but one requires a lot more skill and time and effort. And one taste better. Okay, enough of that analogy. Onward . . . I started two stories. After 70 pages, Mirrors landed in proverbial writing trunk when I realized I lack the writing skills to tackle it at this time in my life. The other story, Whispers, I am still chipping away at (26,000 words and counting). With any luck--which I don't believe in, but it's the thing to say--I will have that story done this time next year, and I'll be pondering the merits of sending it into the world.
I know, you're wondering where's the question. Patience, Grasshopper. Patience.
Good.
Now, the question: What strides did you make in your writerly life in 2011?