Autumn is a time for writing. Any time is, really, but especially autumn. That's what I've been doing, I'm happy to say. I've also been attending gatherings for writers, and I experienced "first pages" for the first time, where the first page of my work was read aloud by someone other than me and critiqued by real live editors. As I heard my words read aloud, I thought my heart might jump out of my chest. And I realized how much more work I have to do. In a good way. I also read my own first page (a different one) aloud with a more intimate group, and, again, my heart went thump, thump, thump. It's not like it was in third grade when I couldn't wait to be called on to read aloud in reading class. At least for me it's not. I know I need practice, which is part of why I went.
My most favorite advice I've heard lately, from two great sources, is not to worry about blogging so much. Just worry about writing. Which makes sense, because while there's a lot of chatter about the importance of building your online platform, to have a platform, you need something to support it.
I also scooted out of town recently for a change of scenery. Did you know there's a funicular in Dubuque with an elf problem?
