Enriched by Words passed its six month mark on January 1st.  In thinking over how far the blog (and I) have come in that time, I couldn’t help feeling gratitude for those who helped me get there.

Off line, my friend and business advisor. P L’Acosta, has been wonderful, giving advice, making suggestions, and then sitting back to let me work it all out.  His wife deserves much thanks for letting us camp out at her table for long nights of web design.  My husband has ceased rolling his eyes when I mutter darkly over the computer, and has even learned enough about this whole blog/Internet thing to give some advice on occasion.  My family has been very encouraging and my mother visits my blog(s) daily.

Online, the help and encouragement has been tremendous, pulling a shy writer out of her shell and into the big world.  The first blog I found and followed was The Interminable Writer (who was my very first comment!), followed quickly by Annie on Writing and Crysanthemum Promise (recently renamed).  1WriteWay and Out of Thin air joined my tiny blogroll within days.  These four ladies were my first foray into the blog community.  I’ve been sad to see some of their blogs lay fallow; they gave me the confidence to reach out.  I was quickly enamored with the awesome guys at Men with Pens (and still am!), celebrated with Kiersten when she landed an agent, and followed Amber daily.  I ran across Melissa at Writing Forward and stayed.

I found Fifthwind, and that opened up a whole new world.  Ken runs a forum for serious fantasy writers.  I joined, got my feet wet with receiving public critique, and never looked back.  I met Jaym, a writer whose style and voice is close to my own, and so good, it makes reading her work a joy.  I met Anthony, who is dipped in awesomesauce.  And suddenly I was meeting great writers at every turn!

I have a great personal “blog circle” now which includes Sal and Jess at Everyday Thoughts from Life, Jamie at Blue Duck Copy, Cassie (JC Hart at In Sunshine and in Shade), Alex (Alex Moore), Sean at Writer Dad, David at Blogger Dad, Dave at Teach My Children Well, Matthew at Matthew Dryden, Paul at A Spark in the Umbra, and so many more!

I’ve never cleaned out my blog rolls.  Those names all had a part in getting Enriched by Words and Write Your Mind Journals through the 3 a.m. feedings and colic.  But oh, I need to add new names and links!  Sumar (The Writing Base) and Tony (My Life as I See It) need to be on there along with several others!  I’m enjoying getting to know Anna Scott Graham and Jane Smith. (If you haven’t checked out her brand new flash fiction project, head on over to Greyling Bay.

I’ve really grown as a writer, getting over that “but what if people read it?…oh and what if NO one reads it?” stage and loving the community.  I recognize my voice, and have confidence in my message.

I’ve done a lot in the last six months.  I joined the (unofficial title?) Chuck Westbrook’s Blog Project and have really enjoyed getting to know “unsung” bloggers while helping them a bit just by getting to know them.  How cool is that? Oh, and I totally blame Sassy Kathy for the growing collection of photos in the Office Envy file and for the start of my own Book Lust file.

I have had the privilege of beta-reading two novels and several short stories.  I wrote a novel and several short stories of my own along with two short e-books and numerous articles for Write Your Mind Journals (which is about to launch the new site this week!  WOOT!)  Last week I was tagged for my first meme ever.

I’ll be busy in the coming months.  I’ll be writing for Writing Mafia, working on launching a new web-based enterprise, editing my first completed novel in years (and it should count as my first, because the others never hit the depth and length of this one), and circulating short stories and items for feedback.  I have collected essays for two new projects (e-books or tree books?  Don’t know yet).  I’ll be working on another novel in the spring, and I’m comfortable enough with all of this to concentrate on the business of selling my favorite object in the whole world…journals!

I can’t say thank you enough, and felt a public thank you was in order.  You are my on-line family.

The candle portion of the above images is courtesy cytoon.

First, Melissa Donovan sent out the call for creative writing tips.  I am so honored that she used one of mine, and so humbled to be there with such great writers!

All Freelance Writing is working on a free online course project, pointing out that non-wrting subjects can benefit writers, too.

Confident Writing covered the best posts of 2008 with participation from 38 bloggers.  Definitely worth checking out.

Scientific American had a couple of interesting tidbits.  The first is the theory that our unconscious mind makes better decisions.  the second is the Life of the Mind, which highlights the better articles of the last 12 months.

120 of 2008’s most amazing news photos is contributed by Photojojo (yup, I’m a secret photography buff).  And for those with children, the site requires you to click to see any photos with disturbing images, so it is kid friendly.  The New York Times has also posted 2008:  The Year in Pictures.

Daily Writing Tips posted a short list of famous book rejections.  Actually, instead of discouraging me, it encourages.  Can’t explain it.

Writing Fiction posted a thought-provoking piece on fiction trends.  I agree that we need more variety, though I don’t blame publishers for sticking with what is hot at the moment.  It takes the consumer to initiate chage and vote with their dollars, but if all we can order is spam, and we’re hungry, spam is what we’re going to get.  (Don’t understand the spam reference?  Read the post. hehe)

How Not to Write gives specifics on how to critique well.

Pocket Change talks about the importance of noticing details.

Copywriter Underground links to the best buzzwords of 2008 with a comment on why we shouldn’t use them.

Alan Rinzler tells us publishers are still aquiring, and why some of the recent changes may have occured.

I loved Copyblogger’s post on the myth of writer’s block (and creativity in general).

Write from Home posted a good piece on the difference between fame and importance.  It was a good read for someone like me, with a small (but loyal) blog readership.  I’ll just keep being me and quit looking at numbers.

Write to Done told how he managed to get his first book from concept to published (it came out December 30th) in the midst of a hectic schedule.  There are good tips in there for everyone.

Kiersten made me laugh with her How to Write.  It’s great!

I liked Rachelle Gardner’s Rejection is not for Sissies.  Nice to see the other side.

Creative Every Day talks about getting playful.  Though she is an artist, her comments work completely for writers as well.

Keep an eye on Blue Duck Copy.  If the comments are anything to go by, this will be fun to read!

Have a great weekend!!

On Monday, I posted on the topic of New Year Resolutions.  Quite a few comments referred to goals as opposed to resolutions, and not confining the process to January 1st.   I went nosing around a bit and found (on the same page) two quotes that seem to both agree and disagree.

We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.     Edith Lovejoy Pierce.

Here is another view of the beginnings represented by the new year.  I have rarely had beginnings coincide with January, until this year.  Coincidence?  Certainly.  I like the sentiment in this quote.  If I were to change it at all, I would substitute “TODAY” for “New Year’s Day.”  Same feeling, more immediacy, and a call to action.  So what if it is 6 p.m. on a weekday any day of the year.  Today is where you are, and from where you begin to move forward.

The start of a new year provides an opportunity to take stock of one’s career and outline steps for advancing to the next level.  Managers and employees must continually develop their professional skills and abilities in order to reach their full potential and remain engaged at work.     Max Messmer

The first time I read it, I couldn’t identify what it was that bothered me.  Of course, I had a “duh” moment in the next breath.  Professional beginnings and evaluation has always taken place in June and July for me.  Why?  I come from a non-profit and educational background.  The budget year ran from July 1 to June 30.   Our professional “new year” occurred mid-summer.

That brings up a valid point.  If you want to get in the habit of annual or semi-annual self evaluation, tie it to specific events that occur each year.  I have a friend who does her thinking in April and October.  Her only reason for those months is because she pays her auto insurance premiums then and finds it easy to remember.  Evaluation is, for her, part of assessing her family’s welfare and protection, as well as her own progress.

I tend to do my evaluating as the seasons change.  Spring and fall usually bring a restlessness and desire for progress.  This year I found myself between projects as we approached the end of the year and enjoyed doing some evaluating at the “traditional” time.

Do you make New Year Resolutions?  If so, how much thought do you put into them and how often do you keep them?  Do you expect the impossible of yourself or do you simply give up?  Have you never made one?

The tradition of New Year’s Resolutions goes back to 153 B.C. as a Roman custom.  More recently it has become the subject of humor or disregarded.  However, there are still places that can advise you on the proper way to make and keep resolutions.  Of course, the most popular resolutions are to stop bad habits or to lose weight.

I went through a period of time in which I wouldn’t make resolutions.  I made resolutions beyond my ability to keep or with no plan to bring them about.   I threw them out the window, and by July, I couldn’t remember what they were.  I think I might make a few this year.  There were a few, after all, that I kept and which became ingrained habits both useful and beneficial.

I will put my essays into a public venue of some sort, though not necessarily on this blog.

I will speak to at least one group on the benefits of a pen and paper journal.

I will circulate two items for publication by September.

I will pursue, to the best of my ability, another platform model I’ve been thinking about seriously.

I will write another novel.

Those are my resolutions for 2009.  Which resolutions are you making this year?

How to Write gives an opinion on whether writers really need writing prompts.

Time to Write asks what is motivating your protagonist.

Write to Done gives advice on overcoming writer frustration.

Alex Moore shares an important realization about authors and other bloggers.

Keep the faith in your creativity process, from Creativity Portal.

Zen Habits gives us a list of 20 non-fiction book essentials for our libraries.  Some good stuff on there.

Christina Katz tells of how her second book came about on a post for Writer’s Weekly.

Pick The Brain posted a very nice take on how to find lasting happiness.

Two items from Creative Journal hit home this week:  first, a writing prompt on why we need creativity.  The second is why reflective journal writing is worthwhile.  Someone who understands!

Literary agent Nathan Bransford tells writers how to craft a great hook.  He also dissects a “really bad” query letter.

Amy Derby guest posted her experiences with The Thought Fairy on Someday Syndrome.

Think Simple Now posted a personal story on the art of building self-esteem…something most writers could use.

Write More, Worry Less:  How to Beat Perfectionism.  Nuff said.

The University of Pennsylvania Authentic Happiness Center has an entire page of tests and self-evaluation modules to help you get to know yourself better.

Kristin Landon talks briefly about the importance of loving what you write.

I had to laugh at this one.  When I was younger I read a lot of romances, and figured I was the only one who asked these questions.

I have found someone else willing to admit he copes with duality (though in his case, it is an entire zoo!)

MyTweetSpace.com now allows you to customize your Twitter profile.  Something to do this weekend, maybe.

Writing Forward posted ways to use the new year to assess past and future writing goals.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday weekend.  Things are quiet here, so trying to work ahead a bit.

The wise men listened to their wives on which direction to go?  *Ducks*

Taking the day off.  Have a great weekend!

Steal away to a quiet corner.  It’s okay, I won’t tell.

Don’t worry that Aunt Agnes thinks you are a terrible housekeeper or that your wife’s father doesn’t think you support her well enough.  Don’t think about money, or trees, or crowded (or empty) houses.  Don’t think about the stress.

Take a deep breath in.  Release.  In again.  Release.

Poise your pen over your journal and think for a moment about what the holiday season means to you.  Think about the loved ones, the carols, sharing time with friends, of faith.

Write a few lines about what Christmas means to you.  The good, hopeful, and positive stuff.  Read it.  Add to it or embellish it with fond memories.  Write down what really matters.

Feel better?  More centered?  Good.  That’s the goal. :)  Hug Aunt Agnes and smile at your father in law.  It will be just fine.

…for keeping a journal?

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