March 31, 2009
I’m sitting here, waiting for the second draft of The Demo Tapes — Year 2 to print out, and it dawned on me that today’s March 31.
This is the first time I’ve gotten all sentimental about this date.
You see, this here blog turns four on Saturday. That’s the day I’ll be doing this, so I’m writing the birthday post now. Besides, it’s easier to call March 31 the end of the year for my blog. It gives me a nice, neat cut-off date for The Demo Tapes collections.
Yep, today’s the end. The end of Year 3. The next time I post some fiction, I’ll have to open a new folder on the computer and start forgetting to store things in it. It’ll be Year 4.
This isn’t something that should make me sad. Three years consistently blogging, with over 600 posts to my name (and more at my Win a Book blog); that’s a record to be proud of. And I am. Don’t get me wrong.
Ready for the but in all this? It’s that I started this blog to drum up interest in Trevor Wolff and his book. I’ve done that. I’ve got a very nice little volume of stories you can buy for yourself and your friends.
Yet the novel’s unpublished. Hell, it’s uncontracted.
This is where I feel like a complete and total failure. I shouldn’t, I know. But I do. I mean, today’s an ending, and endings are the spot for feeling down. For looking back over the whole thing that’s brought you here. For trying to figure out where you went wrong, and how to fix it.
One of the biggest things in the past year, other than The Demo Tapes — Year 1, has been the move of the blog. It’s still not finished; the header’s still not done, I have all sorts of stuff to finish off. I’m proud of this new blog. I’m glad you guys weathered the move with me, given how fast and unprepared any of us were for it. I’m glad to see many of you joining me over at Red Room, too. I have plans for how I’m going to use that site. Stay tuned.
In the upcoming year, Win a Book will also be moving over to the Westofmars.com platform and domain. I have plans for it, plans that’ll take time from my writing. But I believe that all us writers are in this thing together, and that continuing to grow Win a Book will benefit all of us — writers, readers, publishers. Anyone with a stake in books.
I don’t have a crystal ball. I don’t know what’s ahead. All I know is that Year 4 looms, and with it is the promise of the biggest, best year yet here at The Meet and Greet, as well as at West of Mars as a whole.
I’m glad you’re along for the ride. Thanks.
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)
March 31, 2009 7:28 pm
I wish you luck with the blog move and I hope that the book gets contracted soon.
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)’s last blog post..Reading With Jehanne Dubrow & Richard Blanco
Thomma Lyn
March 31, 2009 8:37 pm
Susan, congratulations on the milestone, and you are doing a wonderful job with your blog and with your writing, and The Demo Tapes is a treasure. Keep doing what you’re doing. There are a lot of people, myself included, for whom you are not just a friend but an inspiration, and your fiction and your characters are a delight.
I’m interested in hearing your plans for Red Room! I’ve got my Red Room, too, but I’m still not sure what the heck to do with it. 😉
Thomma Lyn’s last blog post..Joys of Spring: Tadpoles, Gardening, and a Party
Ann
March 31, 2009 10:08 pm
Happy Blogoversary! 🙂
May you and your blog have many more creative years. The end of my third year is this May.
Ann’s last blog post..I’m a Hero?
Robin
April 1, 2009 6:42 am
Hang in there Susan. You’ve done some great things here this year, and I have no doubt that the next year will see even more.
Robin’s last blog post..View from Ein Gedi
Tim
April 1, 2009 9:37 am
Congrats on the versary!
I cant find your ecard today. Did you remove it?
Tim
Tim’s last blog post..Stellan’s TV Interview
RENZ
April 1, 2009 10:29 am
Hello,
THanks for dropping by. I can’t find your entrecard widget so I’m just here to say I dropped by 🙂
Darlene
April 1, 2009 1:15 pm
Hey Susan, congrats on 3 years. That’s really amazing. You work hard and it shows. Keep your chin up my friend. You’re an amazing person, friend and writer. I know it’s all going to come together in the end.
Darlene’s last blog post..Guest Post with Donna Lea Simpson, Author of Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark & Giveaway
Shelley Munro
April 1, 2009 3:50 pm
Happy blog birthday. You are an awesome writer, Susan, and you’re not doing anything wrong! Just keep writing and it will happen. Hugs.
Rene
April 1, 2009 4:19 pm
I think you’ve accomplished quite a bit. You’ve created quite a hub here and there’s always something to read. I’m amazed at the amount of time you put into your blog and site.
Rene’s last blog post..It’s Like Dessert
Lesley
April 1, 2009 4:43 pm
I like to not think about how long it’s been that I’ve been trying to get my books published. It depresses me. hehe
Congratulations on your Blogaversary!
Lesley’s last blog post..Coming Up for Air
Tilly Greene
April 1, 2009 5:04 pm
Looking forward to the next year full of you and the ShapeShifters! You dropped Lyric in it, now I need to know what goes on with her 🙂
Tia Nevitt
April 1, 2009 8:28 pm
Happy Blog Birthday to one struggling writer to another. We don’t write in the same genre, but we both are weathering the same struggle.
Have you started another book? It’s the best cure I’ve had yet for rejection dejection.
Tia Nevitt’s last blog post..Starcaster 2 – Resurrecting Old Characters
Petula
April 1, 2009 8:54 pm
This is a great milestone, but I understand how you feel. You’re a great writer and you’ll get contracted… just don’t give up. Remember all the words you’ve ever told me and everyone else who you’ve encouraged. You’ve done great things and there are even greater things that you’ll do.
Petula’s last blog post..This is me. What kind are you?
Anna
April 2, 2009 1:02 pm
You’ve accomplished more than you realize. Have faith that your book will be published. Happy blogiversary, and I wish you many more years of writing and bloggy happiness!
Anna’s last blog post..Giveaway: THE MECHANICS OF FALLING AND OTHER STORIES by Catherine Brady
Nancy
April 2, 2009 7:50 pm
You. Are. Not. A. Failure.
Did you really read all those accomplishments? You have done a good thing here. And, I know you have met some amazing people.
I know you are one of my cheerleaders!
You are a gifted writer and you will get published!
Nancy’s last blog post..One Good Thing
drey
April 3, 2009 2:21 pm
Susan!!
#1 – Congrats on the anniversary! I cannot believe you’ve been out here (ok, not “here” specifically, but “here” blogging) for so long, & I never knew it. I sure missed a lot!
#2 – You are the bomb. So there.
#3 – Things will happen when they’re good & ready to happen. You just need to be ready for it. (I know. Patience is not one of my virtues. If I even have any! Don’t think sassy or snarky count…)
#4 – ((hugs))
#5 – Have a great weekend!
=D
drey’s last blog post..53. Fifty is Not a Four-Letter Word by Linda Kelsey…