One Year Blogiversary

Posted by 4amWriter

One year ago today I published the first post on my blog. For many moons before that day I had been a homeless blogger. I visited sites, read posts, commented on a few—but I had no blog or site of my own.

My writing life had long been a private, secretive endeavor. I never felt comfortable sharing my writing experiences with other people, even other writers. I never felt up to par or worthy of the title “Writer.”

courtesy of inkpunks.com

When I decided I wanted to be a published author, I knew I was setting myself up for trouble. It meant sharing my work with others. This did not bode well for me, and I resisted making those connections for a long time.

But writing is my calling, and it is something I have tried to ignore but failed. Failed miserably. When I started lurking through writing blogs and reading what other writers were doing, I was envious. I felt like a kid who got chicken pox on Halloween and couldn’t go out to trick-or-treat.

google images YourKidsEd.com

Becoming part of a blogging community was one of the best decisions I ever made. I suddenly felt like I belonged, and that’s not easy for an introvert with low self-confidence. Even though writing is mostly a solitary act, the end result is anything but. Blogging turned out to be great practice for the time when I was ready to go back to querying my novel.

4amWriter wouldn’t have lasted this long if it weren’t for the people who read my posts once—and then came back to read again. Even though I have a short story published in The Greensilk Journal (definitely a proud moment), I get just as much pride and thrill when I publish my blog posts. Knowing that the words I wrote will be out there for anyone to read, should they choose. It’s really a fascinating feeling.

courtesy of Nan Rinella

There are a few bloggers that need to be mentioned in this post. While I adore and appreciate all of my readers, there are some that have stood the test of time, and for that I am eternally grateful.

MY FIRST 5 FOLLOWERS

These bloggers all found me before I even turned a month old. And they are still devoted followers and commenters:

MY TOP 5 COMMENTERS

These bloggers have commented on every post I wrote since the first day they started following my blog. I know I can always depend on them to swing by, read my stuff, engage in the conversation. Of course, now that I have announced their names, there is the pressure on them to continue that trend.

So, it’s been a great opening year for 4amWriter. I have enjoyed what I have learned, the people I have met, the ideas that have sparked. Thanks again to everyone who has helped make this possible. Virtual hugs and Black Forest Pudding Cake all around.

A side note: As most of you are aware, I’ll be participating in NaNoWriMo in a few days. This blog will likely be on the quiet side for the month of November. But I’ll be posting NaNo-related articles at Limebird Writers. So, if you need a 4am fix, look up Limebirdkate.

The Write Year

Posted by 4amWriter

I have only had this blog for a couple of months. However, I decided to be proactive with my writing one year ago. I consider this an anniversary of sorts, a writing anniversary, if you will. I’m calling it The Write Year.

While I have been a writer for many years I didn’t put anything into motion until January 2011. I went to the Writer’s Digest Conference in NYC, despite feeling absolutely petrified. They were holding a Query Slam where authors had 3 minutes to pitch their novels to literary agents. I told myself if I’m serious about this book, if I’m serious about being a writer, then I had to do this.

Some background: Thanks to a bump in the road, I saw how pathetically stuck I was. For the first time ever I saw all the mistakes I’d made in my life, the poor decisions, how I continually avoided risks. For the first time ever I stopped blaming someone or something else, stopped making excuses about “no time” or “not ready yet.” For the first time I saw that I was at a do-or-die point in my life.

Writing was at the crux of all of this. Like I said, I might have been a writer for a long time but I was unable to recognize its value. When I “found” writing, it was like finding a part of my soul that I didn’t even know was there. The only time I felt any peace was when I was writing. The only time I felt like I was doing something I was meant to do, it was when I was writing.

When I decided to go to that conference, my entire world–spirit and shell–altered.

Looking back, I know it’s because I forced myself to do something that terrified the hell out of me. Not only did I go to NYC by myself, but I got up at 1:30 am to catch a bus to South Station in Boston—during a blizzard. I got lost at South Station, and I had a chance to change my mind. I didn’t.

When I reached NYC, I wanted to throw up. All my fears were coming true. NYC was everything I knew it would be: intimidating, fast-paced, overpowering.

But I pressed on. The conference turned out to be great. I met wonderful people, and I learned new writing tactics. When I returned home, things happened.

The Greensilk Journal published my short story, “Treasures.” I had a couple of friends hire me to edit their novels, thereby kicking off an unplanned writing coach/editing business. I was asked by the local school district to teach a creative writing class, which eventually became part of my writing/editing business. I started my website/blog and began meeting people across cyberspace. I met the wonderful LimebirdBeth over at limebirdwriters and became part of her fantabulous team. Then I got a hit on my query from an agent interested in my novel.

Through it all I’ve had to coach myself every day, as if I were training for a marathon. There are days I don’t want to get up at 4am to write. There are times I feel so burned out I can’t imagine maintaining this pace. Sometimes I feel like hurling my calendar against the wall because I can’t face one more task. I’m inclined to take an out when I feel too overwhelmed and unskilled to be an aspiring novelist.

Essentially, I am living against my nature. Going against my grain. Fighting the personality that I grew up with isn’t a treat, I must say. But if I want to live my dream, then I have to combat my impulse to run scared. And when I feel I just can’t do it anymore, I think about the trip I took to NYC, beating the odds that I’d turn tail.

Happy Anniversary to me.

Do have an experience that has changed you for the better?

4amWriter is One Lovely Blog

Posted by 4amWriter

Beth over at Limebird Writers nominated me with the One Lovely Blog Award!

Thank you Beth!

http://limebirduk.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/limebird-writers-is-one-lovely-blog/

Apparently, there aren’t any rules for this award. So, I am going to turn around and present this award to 5 of the top commenters on my blog. (After scouting through my top 30 commenters, I found that many of them have already received this award. So, a couple of my nominees are fairly new commenters on my blog, but as far as I can tell have not received this award.)

http://fhhakansson.com/ Very cool sci-fi writer and awesome poet. He even dances! It is because of Fredrik that I have any followers at all. It’s true, buddy.

http://chickdickmysteries.com/ Love, love, love this gal. I wish she lived closer to me because I think we’d have a rip-roaring good time buying shoes and talking shop. I’d even introduce her to a wolf or two.

http://patbean.wordpress.com/ I cannot get over this woman and the beauty and peace she brings into my life through her photos and her posts.

http://rickbudashead.wordpress.com/ I truly appreciate his comments on my posts as he is always thanking me for helping him write. I can’t think of anything better in this writing gig than to hear that I have inspired or helped someone.

http://spookymrsgreen.wordpress.com/ We’ve only just met, but I have enjoyed exchanging comments over blogging, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Quite an interesting woman.

7 X 7 Award

Posted by 4amWriter

Thank You, Fredrik--again!

Good ol’ Fredrik http://fhhakansson.com/ gave me this intriguing award. I didn’t know anything about it, so I had to do a little research. I have to share some general things about myself, list 7 posts on my site I think should be read, and then nominate 7 more bloggers for the award.

This is going to be very involved it sounds like, so first off, I need to get a Harpoon IPA out of the fridge before I get cracking on this…oh, there’s one general thing about me. I like beer!

Other General Things:

I rescue mice if I find them in my house

My all-time favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird

I believe in the Law of Attraction

I like to shovel snow

Now for my posts:

Thank You Limebird Writers http://4amwriter.com/2011/12/02/thank-you-limebird-writers/ What can I say other than joining Limebird Writers was one of the best decisions I made in regard to my writing endeavors.

Rory’s Story Cubes http://4amwriter.com/2011/12/21/rorys-story-cubes/ I had fun with this post because it stemmed from a Christmas gift that my friend, Laura, gave me. I love all kinds of interactive writing tools that help to jumpstart writing.

NaNoWriMo-Who’s in Charge? http://4amwriter.com/2011/11/22/nanowrimo-whos-in-charge/ I wrote a number of posts related to NaNoWriMo 2011, but this is one of my favorites because it reminds me that writers can be pawns in their own manuscripts if they aren’t careful!

NaNoWriMo-Got Stuck? http://4amwriter.com/2011/11/15/nanowrimo-got-stuck/ Another post related to NaNoWriMo 2011 that was a pleasure to write because I actually heard back from people on my blog, Twitter, and LinkedIn that my suggestions helped them through a writing block. It’s a great feeling when I can help someone with their writing.

The Litmus Test http://4amwriter.com/2011/09/22/the-litmus-test/ I’d forgotten I wrote this until I went searching for posts to put up here. After I read it, I was disappointed in myself. I also remembered I still hadn’t queried this agency. I have decided to do something about that.

Don’t Give Up http://4amwriter.com/2011/07/27/dont-give-up/ This is one of the first posts I wrote, and I’m glad I wrote it even though I don’t like exposing my vulnerabilities that much. This is the kind of post that holds me accountable.

15 Minutes http://4amwriter.com/2012/01/12/15-minutes/ One of my most well-received posts. Writing is what you conjure in your mind as well as what you put down on paper. Don’t limit your imagination!

All righty, on to my second IPA and 7 favorite blogs. I will admit that I don’t do a lot of blog fishing. When I find one that I really like I stick with it and always mention it to others. I have listed 5 of these blogs before for other awards, but they are really important to me in my writing so that’s why they’re up again. The other 2 are new to my list and deserve the award!

Limebird Writers. Of course. http://limebirduk.wordpress.com/

Learning from Dogs. http://learningfromdogs.wordpress.com/ Paul is a great guy, very informative and helpful, loves dogs, and my newest friend. Oh yeah, he’s a swell writer, too.

Wolf Defenders. http://wolfdefender.wordpress.com/ I’ve given Josh an award before, and I’m doing it again because I just have to. He’s a wolf defender, after all.

America’s Highway. http://www.americashighwayusroute1.com/ Tony’s my friend. So there.

Julia’s Place. http://jfb57.wordpress.com/ Love her 100 Word Challenges, which help freshen my writing when it grows stale.

Buddhafulkat http://buddhafulkat.com/ A writer, an artist, a poet. A one-stop creative show. Love this site!

Simon Read Books. http://simonreadbooks.wordpress.com/ Check out his blog on what it’s like to be a published author!

Versatile Blog Award!

Posted by 4amWriter

Thanks to the loveable writers over at Limebird Writers http://limebirdwriters.wordpress.com I have been nominated for the Versatile Blog Award!

Now I get to pass it on! But first I have to follow some rules. I love rules. So, I am right in my element here.

1. Thank the award-giver and link back to them in your post. Yup. See above.

2. Share 7 things about yourself. Yup. See below.

3. Pass this award along to 15 blogs you enjoy reading. Yup. See farther below.

4. Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know about the award. Yup. Can’t you hear all the hoots and hollers?

Okay, 7 things about myself:

I am left-handed.

My hero is Walt Disney.

I used to own two cats named Garlic and Kahlua.

I can name all the United States Presidents by heart–in sequential order.

My favorite drink is a Harpoon IPA.

I can make a mean dessert.

I collect bird feathers.

Now for the passing on of the award:

http://alboudreau.wordpress.com/ A great self-published author (and a wonderful human being). Al is a master in the social media arena and routinely goes out of his way to help other writers market their work.
http://kidsmakeitwrite.wordpress.com/ As a writing coach and a facilitator of creative writing programs for children, I refer to this site regularly. Great info here.
http://learningfromdogs.com/ This title says it all! If you love dogs, this is a must-visit!
http://wolfdefender.wordpress.com/ Josh Alexander started Wolf Defender to “draw awareness to all of the unjust actions that are being taken against wolves in the United States [and] to hopefully educate the willing on the true nature of these great animals.” He had me at Wolf Defender.

And this might seem unfair because number 5 is for Josh Alexander again but regarding his amazing photography on nature and wildlife.

5. http://joshalexanderphotography.com/index2.php#/home/

6. http://nhwn.wordpress.com/ Professional writers from my home state of New Hampshire talk about the craft and business of writing.

7. http://speakingpersonally.wordpress.com/ “Thoughts on life from a simple traveller – no more, no less.”

8. http://www.americashighwayusroute1.com/ A travelogue blogged and penned about an RV trip down US Route 1.

9. http://helpfromcyranette.wordpress.com/ Cyranette stimulates writers through a daily question, beginning sentence, beginning paragraph, prompt, and word-of-the-day.

10. http://bekindrewrite.net/ “Here you’ll find writing and publishing tips, thoughts on the philosophy of writing, and weekly prompts supported by a community of both new and seasoned writers.”

11. http://writerkillingdarlings.wordpress.com/ A journalist from Savannah, Georgia who also writes fiction.

12. http://patbean.wordpress.com/ I just really love Pat’s blog filled with photos and notes on her RV travels. She has a dog, too, and I’m a sucker for dogs (as we know from #3 in this list).

13. http://janellejensen.com/ A writer and a photographer who loves wolves as much as I do.

14. http://christicraig.com/ A fun blending of flash fiction, short stories, essays about the craft of writing, and interviews.

15. http://chickdickmysteries.com/ If you love Nancy Drew, you must check out this website.