So, wow, it's been a while. I had to uncover this blog from about two inches of virtual dust, as it has been forever since my last post (and thankfully forever since that bounce down the stairs that inspired it). I have transitioned from the "Idaho is wonderful" theme. (Yes, it still is, but that's a secret, so no more spreading it around.) Now I'd like to find some new angles and also have a nice little outlet for some quick writing to keep my chops up. And, that brings me to the purpose of today's post .... that unfinished novel.
As far back as I can remember, I have been fascinated with books. Trips to the library back in the day really made my day, and the smell, sights, feel and wonder of books captured me early and has held me forever. I chose literature as a major in college, and even though my dream of teaching it got sidelined by a larger desire to make a better living, I hope to return to that dream one day in my semi-retirement years. So, books = major thumbs up.
A few years ago when I was bored with very few hobbies, but finally over the hump of the crazy hours and demands of my early career, I started daydreaming about delving further into my love and actually writing my own novel. Of course, I knew nothing about this really (other than my joy of reading them), but hey, I had a brand new pink Netbook and a strong will (yeah, Netbooks really stuck around, didn't they?). I decided I needed a little push, so I signed up for a basic writing course with a friend from work, got a bunch of cool supplies and enjoyed several weeks of classroom sessions regarding the task of planning for and outlining my first novel. I even got to write a few beginning chapters and share them in class, which only further solidified that this new hobby was one that was long overdue. I was anxious to see where my characters would go and anxious to share a finished product with my friends and family. The class ended, life resumed, and, as usual other stuff took priority. Because my day job involves SO MUCH TIME on the computer, I also quickly realized that picking up my tiny Netbook after hours, even to do something I enjoyed, just wasn't on the top of my list.
A couple of Winters later, I upgraded to a full-size laptop, took to the coffee shops and got a few more chapters in, but then we decided to move across the country, and I got a whole bunch of new hobbies, and my writing took a nap, yet again. I did get to start this blog and some journaling, which kept the joy alive, but the novel wasn't really going anywhere.
Life has now settled once again. We're in our home, with major projects out of the way, and thanks to a few really cool experiences over the last year (like meeting Cheryl Strayed and doing a hiking/writing workshop), I am ready to roll again. Mill Park Publishing (right here in Eagle) hosts a writing retreat, and lucky for me, I get to spend a day this weekend writing by the river, taking some workshops and re-connecting to my goals. Also, I had the good fortune to meet another absolutely fabulous all-around person, and also talented writer, Amber, (Thank you awesome Boise Italian cooking class for bringing us together.) I have a friend with a passion even greater than mine, who is helping support me back into this journey and also be an awesome retreat buddy.
Wish me (and my poor main character Jamie) some luck as we head back out to the crazy world of thriller writing. Good luck as well to all of those coincidentally-named characters that will meeting their fates in the coming pages. Mooohahahahaha.
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