I wrote my first post for this site in 2011. Back then, I added new material each week — posts about my life as a writer, a homeschool mom, a reader. Posts about traveling, or cats and dogs (we have a lot of pets). Links to publications. Interviews with poets, novelists, bloggers. As a whole, the website offered a series of snapshots, pictures of my life, my interests. Me.
Around 2014, my writing goals shifted toward longer fiction. I didn’t post as frequently and, when I did, I posted micro fables, a project dear to my heart. Although those little stories were sporadic, they managed to attract a loyal group of readers (you know who you are — thank you).
Fast forward to 2017 and the day, sometime last week, when I realized that I had deleted my entire blog. All of it. Gone. It’s a longish story involving an impressive level of technological ineptitude on my part. I shed some tears and curses. But, in the end, I chose to see the disappearance as an opportunity. A new start.
The daily snapshots always change, but I am still a writer, writing. Drawn to blank pages. In love with words, the promise of “what if?”
Let’s begin.
From the time I first discovered your blog, I have loved your writing (the fables especially). I look forward to whatever you come up with in this new phase!
Thanks for sticking with me!
Love the new website-it’s gorgeous! Writers write. That’s exactly right. Can’t wait to see more of your work.
Thanks, Sheri 🙂
Also, look for an essay on NPR yesterday (7/11) from a writer who deleted his entire novel–twice– (different novels, I think), and took it as an opportunity to improve. http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2017/07/11/534865245/a-novelist-forces-himself-to-press-on-after-losing-100-pages-in-a-tech-glitch
That sounds like a nightmare! I will definitely check it out.
Sounds like a clean slate and a new beginning. I will be here reading. xox
Thank you for the support and inspiration.
I look forward to your new site and am inspired by your willingness to find the positive. Onward and upward!
Thank you! 🙂
So glad you started over!! I’ll be reading of course!!
I owe you bunches for talking me off the cliff edge. xo
Kids and pets and travel ; and more….. Looking forward to your words .. That make the language sing .
Thanks dad 🙂
My good friend Karin, a Gertrude Stein scholar and poet-photographer, wrote in her dissertation about Picasso painting Stein’s portrait. She had been walking to his studio to sit as his model. One day, he painted over her whole head, saying, “I can’t see you any longer when I look!” And painted her head back in from memory. I offer this as a shining example of the wondrousness that can result from starting afresh. <3
That is a fabulous story. Thank you.
I had been wondering what was going on with you and missed reading your fables and any other updates you care to share with us. Welcome back, and I hope you didn’t lose too much that is irreplaceable. Looking forward to reconnecting with you again!
Thanks so much — great to “see” you!
I love this view of the blank page and in this case, the blank backlog, as an opportunity for creativity and new starts. Love the new look!
Thanks, Nina. I’ve gathered inspiration from you often!
It’s hard to start over but sometimes we need a little push. I think the new website looks wonderful and I look forward to reading more of your amazing and creative work.
Thanks Julie 🙂