“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.”
Words. Words carry a magic that cannot be defined. Many have tried, and given a valiant effort no doubt. But it cannot be done, should not be done.
I feel so very fortunate that I get to play with words.
Two years ago, almost to the day, I started on a journey to become a "Real Author." I grabbed about 2.7 hours, twice a week and felt something wake up in me. Something that had been sleeping. It was glorious, the greatest form of therapy I have ever experienced. A wild excitement would take hold - often I did not entirely feel like I was in control. I could write for hours in a row, never get tired and then - at the end of it all I could go back and truly not remember writing everything that was written in the page in front of me.
For the first time in my life I knew, that this was what I had been created to do - and even if no one ever read my ramblings. Even if I never ever make any money at this, THIS is what I would do for the rest of my life.
And then 8 months later I got to stop. Life took over, good life. Wonderful life. I like life, life is GOOD. But life, does not allow for writing. Not the writing I was doing anyhow. Life is full of little girls and laundry. Life is not friendly to hours of un-interrupted writing time...because it does have to be un-interrupted - or I get angry and that is not good for anyone.
So I put that away, again. But this time, instead of putting away several ideas and one partially started story - I was putting away 5 completed stories, 3 partial stories, a few short poems, 4 rejection letters from agents and a half dozen more ideas. It was sad, but I knew that was what was needed for the time being - and I was so very proud of the progress I had managed to make in 5 short hours per week for 8 months!
Today - today marks another achievement, Today my littlest started preschool. Today I woke up again! Today I blew the dust off of my lost manuscripts. Today I renewed my contacts and started making some new ones in my new city. Today I start being me again! Not that I wasn't me before, but there was a part of me that was sleeping. It needed to sleep - to protect the rest of me. But oh it gets to wake up again! And this time I get almost 8 whole hours per week!
Real life is good. Really good, but I need to write.
I get to write! I feel like singing...not that that is unusual, ask my girls. I sing a lot...I may actually need to work on that one. I get stares from strangers quite regularly.
But that is beside the point...
Of course now, I need some help. I will be putting together another "feedback team" to read my work and give me your thoughts. I need people willing to be honest about content - while at the same time ignoring my spelling and grammar mistakes (I have others to help with that, but it rarely happens until the manuscript is in a "finished" mode, because before that really, what is the point? And it can take a very long time to get to "finished" content-wise.
So if you want to be a part of my "team" then send me an email at TheBottomRail (that would be @gmail.com) and I'll add you to my list.
My adventure is re-awakening. I am so very excited! And who knows where this adventure will lead...
“There are no safe paths in this part of the world. Remember you are over the Edge of the Wild now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever you go.”
