Big Things Popping

 It's been a few months since I've posted anything to the blog, but I promise I'm all right and I've been working. In fact, I took some time off from writing the blog to work on some more creative writing, including a short novel that I started over the summer. I've definitely noticed that I'm growing as a writer in the last few years, developing focus and style and committing to good habits. The problem has always been the marketing aspect of writing. While it's always such a satisfying feeling to finish a story or a novel, it's nerve-wracking and vulnerable to let that story out into the world to get beat up and criticized by others. Still, there's no sense in writing for yourself, and rejection is part of life. I've never been good at the marketing aspect of the writing business and maybe too humble for my own good when it comes to selling myself and my work. Whenever I even talk about my writing, I always feel like a huckster on the street corner selling corn syrup as a health tonic. This summer, however, I decided to give it another shot and dedicate myself to spending as much time submitting my work and seeking publishing as I do actually writing. I found some apps, websites, and tools to help me along the way, and I'll be sharing some of them in the coming weeks.

The big news, however, is that it worked! Over the Christmas break, I signed a contract with a publisher to publish and distribute my novel, hopefully the first of many. It's been such a whirlwind of events and feelings that it took a while for me to even tell my family and friends. I felt as if I needed to get my head wrapped around the reality of it, and it still feels like waiting for the bottom to drop out any second, but it's a thrilling ride. I'm also learning so much about the business of publishing that I never imagined before. Apparently, it's not about just sitting in your private writing nook and waiting for people to notice you. There's so much that goes into making a book successful, and I'm excited to jump to every step and learn the business.

One part of that is returning to the blog here at Mixed and Blended. I'll still be posting periodically about the issues that multiracial and blended families face, but now also about the things that I'm learning along this journey to publication. Hopefully, I can encourage and inform other aspiring writers whose breaks are just around the corner. In addition, from time to time I'll post some of my short stories and flash fiction to give you an idea of the kinds of stories I'm working on. Please follow along as I learn how to use social media as a platform instead of just lurking in the corners of the internet and occasionally liking a picture, and laugh as I shamelessly promote myself.

Thanks for your well-wishes and for giving my blog attention over the years, and I look forward to sharing this new project with everyone.