Blog Post, The First
“There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story.
You never quite know were they’ll take you.”
— Beatrix Potter
I’ve been avoiding the first post of this blog. The first post is so daunting and I am nothing if not an anxious writer. It must be brilliant and charming and honest. It is the beginning of something. And at the same time, I’m not sure where this beginning will take me, if you will like it or remember it at all. Will I forever be judged by the words I put here or easily forgotten? Whatever happens, this is my beginning and I will make of it what I can.
During my first year as an aspiring writer, I avidly read the blogs of other writers, drinking in their advice, their success and their sorrows. Those blogs let me know that I was not the only one out there. I still read those blogs and I hope that this blog will be there for others who are looking for the comforting knowledge that they too are not alone.
First things first. An introduction.
I’ve wanted to be an author ever since I can remember. It probably started when I realized that books simply didn’t pop into existence. Someone had to write them. I began writing stories and never stopped.
On January 1, 2010, I decided to take writing seriously. I’ve gone so far in that first year. I got my first rejection for a short story. I graduated with my degree in English. I was accepted to and attended Orson Scott Card’s Literary Boot Camp. I finished my first novel during NaNoWriMo in November. And I’ve read so many wonderful books that remind me why I write.
This year I hope to do many more things. I am attending both World Fantasy and World Con where I will mingle with authors, agents, editors and fans. I am attending a workshop taught by David Wolverton/Farland in two short weeks. I’m 1/3 through the first draft of my second novel, which I hope to have finished and ready to send to agents and editors late this summer.
I want to share my success as well as my setbacks. Most of you will probably become bored with my constant anxiety over writing and the dreaded blank page. But that is all part of writing. And I want to share everything as well as give any advice I possibly can.
So prepare to be amazed! Because there is a word for writers who never give up: Published.
The Knitting Writer 
Had you tried NaNoWriMo before 2010? November 2010 was my second year and first success. I think that’s what made me realize that my writing didn’t need to take years to complete, or lay unfinished in a desk drawer. It also taught me that preparing a little bit before writing something was worth the time and effort.
Yes. I tried it once before in 2006. Unfortunately, I decided to work on an old project that had been boiling around in my brain for over two years. It did not turn out very well. I found exactly the same thing from NaNoWriMo! Learning to write quickly and FINISH is what it’s all about.