Wednesday, December 7, 2011

One Year On

One year ago today, I woke up with an idea in my head and frantically typed 5,000 words of a story that would become THE TRAVELERS.

That day, I thought a lot of things about my writing self.

I thought that writing was some silly endeavor I had to try to get out of my system.
I didn't know that writing was something absolutely ingrained in me, desperate to be let free.

I thought that those 5,000 words were captivating, stunning, AWESOME.
I didn't know that they weren't (but I'd learn to make them better.)

I thought that I'd just write this one book and be done with it.
I didn't know I'd write this book, then write another one, then dream up the skeleton for a third, before the year was out.

I thought there was no way I'd ever show my book to anyone.
I didn't know that the handful of people I ended up showing my book to would become absolute lifelines for me, writing and otherwise, and very dear friends.

I thought that, when those people gave me constructive criticism, I would curl up in a ball and die.
I didn't know that the critique-and-revision stage would turn out to be my absolute most favorite part of the whole process.

I thought that writing and blogging about it would make me even more disconnected than I already planned to be.
I didn't know that so so many of you would find my little blog, like reading what I have to say, and support me along the rocky road that I've only just started out on. (Hi, followers! I really do love each and every one of you.)

I thought that writing was ridiculous because it didn't match up with all the career goals I'd had (and achieved!) before.
I didn't know that becoming an author was a dream living deep inside me that I never knew I had.


I thought that all writing this book would accomplish was losing me sleep and buoying me through a tough year.
I didn't know writing would become part of how I think, the way I look at the world, and who I am.

And, just because you might be wondering....

I thought my book would suck.
It doesn't.


Oh! And those five thousand words? Only one sentence out of them survived to make it to the manuscript I'm querying now. (Yeah. I had a lot to learn.) But that sentence, still perfectly intact, is one of my favorites in the whole book - and looking on my first notes dated one year ago today, I know it was in me from the very beginning:


Could it be possible to belong to someone she had never met?

So, even though I was hating on Past Me something fierce on Monday, today, on my one-year-writerversary, I want to give Past Me a great big hug. She's absolutely changed my life.

Your turn! Tell me what reflections and revelations you've had on your writerversaries. Can't wait to tear up at all your sweet stories.

17 comments:

  1. I celebrated my tenth anniversary in July! :)

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  2. I wish I could remember my writing anniversary. ;_;

    "skeleton for a third" ...Hell yeah! And you were worried you wouldn't have any more story ideas.

    And also, I think you and Past You have a serious love/hate relationship. But those are the best.

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  3. Happy one year writerly birthday!
    You've accomplished so much in just a year, that's so awesome!

    I started writing July 2010 and I spent the first few months dabbling in short stories and it wasn't until March of this year that I decided to start my novel. Wow, I can't believe it's been about a year and half.

    Well congrats lady!!!! and cheers to many more years!

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  4. GUYS WE HAVE IT IN WRITING- Leigh Ann admits her book doesn't suck!

    And this month is actually the 2 year anniversary of when I had my LBD dream. We must have a cosmic connection!

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  5. Happy one year anniversary. :)

    I started writing August 2009, and my anniversary has come and gone without me even noticing. I still have my first attempted novel, a silly fairy tale I wrote after reading Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely.

    I know my writing has grown a lot since then.

    I can also remember the first real critique I got on my second attempted novel, and how much it hurt. But I decided to keep at it, and now I don't think I'll ever stop writing.

    Happy writing!

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  6. Awww. What a great post! Congrats on your anniversary - what a great milestone and what a fantastic way to celebrate with all the agently interest!

    I hope fantastic things come for you over your second writing year! (Cause I'm desperate to read your book now :))

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  7. Happy writerversary, Leigh Anne! Reading this has made me realise that this year is actually my 18th writerversary – I feel old now!!

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  8. Happy writer-versary!!! I'm so glad you started writing! :)

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  9. Hi--I followed your comment over from Miss Snark's First Victim. (Congrats on making the baker's dozen, by the way!). I just wanted to say that I've seen you comment on several different blogs and I've always been so impressed with the generosity of your comments. You give good feedback, but it's in a positive spirit, which can sometimes be hard to do.

    And happy anniversary!

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  10. Happy Writer-versary!! That is one great line!

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  11. for years, when I was just writing stories for myself, my mom told me I should become an author. I told her, "NO, I DON'T WANT TO BE, MOM." and years later, here I am, trying to do just that. mothers are freaky. I've learned a lot about myself, and I've probably changed as much as my WIP has over this last year. I still struggle with becoming an author v. the career goals I still have, but I figure I'm 23! I HAVE TIME to figure all of that out. I'm going to do what makes me happy now and see where it takes me :)

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  12. Happy writerversary - definitely an accomplishment :)

    November was my 3rd writerversary. 7 novels later, I think I've finally figured out how to fix my first novel (sure took me long enough :P). I still adore the story and it keeps coming back to me, but it was drowning in issues. Next year, I might just sit down and rewrite it :)

    Also, have to say I agree wholeheartedly with what Rosalyn said above - you're one of the sweetest critters out there on the interwebs! Congrats on your Baker's Dozen win, too!

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  13. I love that sentence! I know you have other fabulous words to start TT, but that would be a great first sentence.

    I'm glad you decided to write another book. And another!

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  14. Congrats on your full request in authoress' contest! That must feel good!

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  15. New member! Took one look at your beautiful blog n' knew I had to join in! ㋡

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  16. Ahhhh thank you all so much for your sweet comments and love!

    @Tamara - Ten years! Wow!

    @Chessie - Yessss. And I swear to you, I think idea #3 is gonna be the one to get me published. I'll tell you all about it.

    @Cristina - YOU'VE accomplished so much. Only a year and a half, WOW!

    @Gina - Haven't we been over this? OF COURSE we have a cosmic connection. The book thing just confirms it. Happy dreamerversary. :)

    @Tracey - Thank goodness you kept at it! You're a rock star.

    @Jamie - You'd better not be joking with me about being desperate to read my book. Because I am desperate to read YOURS. If you mean it, let's trade. I am SO NOT EVEN KIDDING RIGHT NOW.

    @Emma - You're not old! I just started waaaay late.

    @Jenny - *blushes* Thanks! I love it too.

    @Maggie - d'awwww. <3 you.

    @Rosalyn - Thanks! I always say, this is a tea party, not a paintball match. We need to be kind to one another.

    @MarcyKate - Don't think I've forgotten about CTC. #TeamTommy. I would weep with joy if I got to read it. Just sayin.

    @Heidi - You rule so hard. Can't wait for you to read ONE.

    @the silent h - THANK YOU! I'm still kind of freaking out over it.

    @samsevern - THANK YOU!!! So excited to host you at my crit party next month.

    <3 and hugs to all!!!

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