Forty-nine posts ago I was living in the small SC town where I was born, and I had no idea I would be writing my fiftieth here, in Florida.
Although “Passionate Reason” started out with the advice that it would be a good way to promote my novels, it has become much more, traveling through part of my life with me.
It has also given me an incentive to experiment while having the potential for instant feedback. It has swung me through my intoxicating 15 minutes of Reddit fame and readers have given me a lot of much-appreciated encouragement. Reports of writers being inspired to continue were especially priceless.
I began with writing mostly essays, many of them about writing. Lately I have been veering more toward story-telling. Before, I hesitated to write about current experiences. As I am going through changes, it is often hard to make sense of them.
I am inclined to write about the problems that rest safely in the past, where I can find rounded-out, clearly resolved stories. It is hard to show myself the way I really am, groping for meaning and direction as I move uncertainly ahead.
But I am learning that seemingly mundane events often have hidden potential to become interesting stories. Writing is a way for me to process life, to make sense of everyday events, and my blog is a great way to do that.
Meanwhile, I have put finishing touches on my new novel, The Ghosts of Chimera, and I am ready to start querying agents for representation. For the next six months I am going to seek traditional publication. If that period ends without success, I will re-evaluate.
During that time I will continue to post here. The time it has taken me to write 50 posts has brought a lot of interesting surprises, and I wonder what new ones may await and what I will be doing when I reach 100.
So far, I have enjoyed this adventure more than I ever expected. Thanks to all of you for sharing it with me. 🙂