What words to write today? What mysteries to explore and unravel as I click and clack at the keyboard?

This is 300th post that I have published on this blog.  Many more have been written.  Some of them are just waiting for the right moment, for others their moment passed before I was able to get them ready.  I am not going to say that I didn’t believe I would get here, but it is a bit surreal now that I am. I have learned a lot about writing, myself and the blogging world. There is so much more to learn and some things must be unlearned. I have also made some mistakes and offended some folks along the way. One or two of them were people I care about, and I made the decision to clear all future posts concerning those folks with them prior to their publication.  The people in my life are precious to me and their feelings matter.  This blog is also important, but not at the cost of those relationships.

Since enacting that rule, I have forced myself to really think about what I put on-line.  And how I want this site to progress.  The most popular post is the one I wrote was about cleavage and the hunt for the perfect bra.  As much as I enjoy learning more about fashion and the wonders of a properly fitted bra that is not the direction that I want this blog, my writing, or my life to go. There are others who do it better and I yield the field to them.

I must acknowledge that there are sites younger than mine that have achieved greater success allowing their creators to do what I still dream of: writing for a living. It is a dream that many writers strive for, but one which if I had the chance I might not take. I love my job as a teacher and my students inspire me so much that to leave them would not help my writing at the present moment.  Is my life always going to be classroom bound? I am not sure. Ten years ago, I would have told you that I being in a classroom was my greatest goal, but now that I am here I see the horizon and know that one day I will move on. Yes, it would be nice to be able to write everyday for hours on end, but the interaction with my students is so very precious to me. It fuels my desire to achieve more and to continue to educate myself.

Sadly, I still haven’t heard back about Grad school, but my hopes are not dashed. I will get there, just not when I thought I would.

Upon reflection on this blog’s journey, there have been times when I have flirted with narrowing the scope of this site, since specialization seems to be the key to gaining more readers and influence.  The problem I see with that is that I didn’t set out to be a blogger, but a novelist.  So in the coming weeks and months, there will be more posts on self-publication as I reflect on this new journey.

There are a lot of folks to thank for helping me make this blog something to be proud of.  First, Mr. Man, you know who you are. You planted the seed that began this blog and gave me honest feedback. I hope that you never stop.  Special thanks to Stew for being my first editor and getting me wine when I was in the zone and couldn’t move.  You have, though we are no longer a couple, helped me when I needed it by reading something or with computer issues. It means the world to me, just like you. Thanks also goes out to my Diva-licious teacher friends who read my poetry, stories and posts whenever I asked.  Especially Momma Cameron, who told me that writing was my calling and to get off my butt and do it.  To Momma and Papa for both supporting this endeavor and most of all for accepting me for the odd little duckling that I am.  To Mikey, my internet famous neighbor for the talks and advice on interviews, the first of which will be appearing shortly, with any luck.  Last but not least, to my friend Bri, who I have known since middle school and agreed, a month or so ago, to help me edit my posts. You also mean the world to me.

In a few days, maybe a week, my kickstarter project will go live, as will the process of bring my novella, Blood Child, to life.  When I started this blog, I was working on a novel, My Dragon Friday, but Blood Child took over my writing life.  I am hoping that by October many of you will be reading Blood Child on the e-reader of your choice or in paperback form.  And Thanks to all of you, dear readers, for your comments, likes and support.   Things are only going to get better.

Please feel free to comment and let me know what you would like to see here in the coming months. I do take requests.

Love, Hugs and Moo’s,

Lu