December 10, 2010

sometimes i can hardly believe...

last night, when i was supposed to be sleeping, my mind was thinking about the amazing things that have happened in my life, not just with writing, but with other things as well. today, i thought i'd just mention the writing ones.

sometimes i can hardly believe that

-- i would ever write a novel in the first place, finish it, then share it with anyone. i didn't know i had it in me.

-- i wrote a sequel. i thought i had one story in me and that was it. wow. was i wrong. i have so many in me i don't know what to do with them.

-- i can work on more than one story at a time. when i worked on my novel, i thought i could never do that. i thought it would be too distracting.

-- i would have so many people tell me they actually like my novel. i'm always blown away when someone says, "i couldn't put it down."

-- i would meet such great writing and blogging friends. first it was Kristal Shaff, my crit partner. that was back in 2006, when i was on my 2nd draft of Eldala. then i met Christine Hardy. recently, it's been Kristie Cook, Lisa Yarde, and February Grace. (forgive me if i left someone out.) i love you all.

-- my novel would be on Amazon, and now Smashwords. the 2nd didn't even exist when i first published. i think it's cool my book can be read on multiple digital devices.

-- i would have over 100 people reading my blog. i started blogging in 2005, a few months before i started writing. i think 3 or 4 people read it. i think it's great that i have 113 people who follow, and that my friends on facebook can read my posts.

-- i would ever have my own website. ever since getting our computer and the internet, back in 1996, i'd wanted my own website, but didn't want to learn html. so the blog was my first foray into having one. but now i even have my own domain name. i think that's very cool.

-- people would ask my opinion of indie publishing. back in 2007, when i finally put my book up for sale, hardly anyone that i knew talked about it, and the people who did looked down on it. the other day, i went to a local romance writers conference and indie/self publishing was one of the topics. i went to see what had changed. i have to admit i felt a little smug as they got all excited about it like it was a new thing. i feel like a pioneer or something.

-- i would have a fan page on facebook. that's still a little weird to me.

what changes in your life, writing or otherwise, have you shaking your head in wonder?

6 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Well, several of those have caught me by surprise as well. Certainly never thought I'd enjoy blogging as much as I do. Nor wirte a second book!

Colene Murphy said...

Amazing accomplishments! I really hope you celebrate yourself and each and ever one of them! That's huge!! Congratulations!

February Grace said...

I hope to be able to steal some reading time to finish the book really soon- but today I found myself just staring at the covers. Front and back, the artwork of Kieran, and your picture.

Seeing your picture, I smiled. I thought, this amazing woman created this whole world and the people in it. And I care about them. They matter to me, I want to see how their story ends (and I'm glad to know there will be more!)

You're an inspiration, Michelle, and I'm glad you 'had it in you' to let us share your work.

big hugs (and hopefully an email reply soon, I know I owe you one, sorry my friend the day has gotten away from me)
bru

dolorah said...

Dreams can come true - you are proof of that. Stick with something long enough and you accomplish it.

Thanks for being a part of my community. Have a Merry Christmas and even more success in the coming year.

.........dhole

Kristie Cook said...

ROFL You are such a trendsetter! :) I love these and feel like I could absolutely say the same things! Yay for you and your blessings!!

Michelle Gregory said...

Alex, you just never know where life is going to take you.

Colene, thanks. i celebrate them when i think about them.

Bru, so many thanks to you for so many different reasons.

Donna, i didn't even know those dreams were in me.

Kristie, ahem, yes, me, Trendsetter. now i'm ROFL.