So, this writing thing.

It’s something I’ve done all my life, although it’s been a very long time since I wrote fiction. I’ve kept a journal, I’ve always enjoyed the writing component of my various jobs, and when I was in New Zealand for three months, I wrote a weekly newsletter-ish email (since I didn’t have a blog this was mostly to keep my mother from thinking I was dead) that was very well-received. In fact, at that time, I had several people tell me that I should be a travel writer. I’ve had people who’ve received letters (I do still use the mail, albeit rarely) tell me I should write.

However, I’ve never really taken it seriously. Until now. I guess, growing up where I did, it seemed like such a far-fetched idea – that I could Write.A.Book. And that some people might want to read that book. It always seemed like such a pipe dream. It just wasn’t within the realm of my reach.

And yet, since I’ve been working up to this decision, (it took me about eight months to realise what was building), I’ve discovered that I do know a lot of people who have either published or been involved in the publishing industry. In addition, they’ve supplied me with recommendations for resources to assist, mostly in off-the-cuff comments when I’ve cautiously mentioned this ambition of mine to write. So the whole thought of my creating something and unleashing it upon the world is seeming…plausible. Even, dare I say, likely.

Over the past couple of months, I’ve been poking around some resources for writers and wanna-be-writers. It feels a little bit like putting the cart before the horse to go to the trouble of creating a website and blog, social media accounts, etc, before I have something to show, but this is an important tool for me. I need to hold myself accountable to, well, myself. Never underestimate the motivational value of the threat of public shaming!

In addition, writing is writing is writing. I need to practise. I need to develop my voice. I also need to figure out what I really have to share with the world. I think I’m going to worry about that another day – for now, I’m concentrating on setting up a foundation for myself, both online and in my writing habits.

Confession: Balance is not something I do well. In fact, I struggle mightily. Something – a hobby, an interest, a newly discovered band – sparks my interest and that’s it. I’m ALL in. I obsess. I research. I daydream. I dive in headfirst to this new thing. And, a few days, a week, a month later, the rest of my life rudely intrudes on my interlude, and, well, things go back to normal until the next life-changing discovery.

My plan is to try something different. Writing, for me, is a marathon – rather, I want it to be a marathon. By building my website in tandem with creating a portfolio of work, theoretically, I can build up this idea of balance in my writing life. This site – this blog – is my outward face. This is what connects me to anyone who may have an interest in my stories. This is a critical piece of the puzzle that is my writing. Even though, as of today, maybe two people know about this site, so literally no one is watching, it’s still important for me to only make promises I can keep. It’s important to engage outwardly, especially since the process is so solitary.

Also, I want to document these early days – when I feel so passionate, so full of ideas, and so hopeful, as well as the abject terror (which I’m not going to dwell upon). Maybe one day, someone like me will see herself in my words. Maybe she’ll recognise herself and begin her own journey. I hope, if that’s the case, that this hypothetical person may be able to avoid the mistakes I’m certain to make.

I have set myself a goal for April:

To launch my website.

The thing about a website is that it’s never done. There will always be content to write, things to improve, changes to technology and software that require tweaking, and so forth. But I’m hoping to have enough content, enough formatting done, enough bells and whistles, that this place feels a bit more homey to me, and that it looks good enough that I’m not embarrassed about telling people to check it out!

I’ve got three weeks.

Let’s see what I can make happen!

Nose to the grindstone,

Elizabeth.