Monday, January 18, 2010

Back with an answer, an announcement, and a promise

Well, it was a loooooooong blog break, folks, but I'm finally back. I must admit that I enjoyed drifting away for a while. However, I am ready to jump back into the old blogging world. So, without further ado, I give you today an answer, an announcement, and a promise.

An Answer
You may be wondering how I fared on my Great Philosophical Journey of '09. Well, the answer is that I'm still on it to some extent, but I see no reason not to share a little of what I pondered.

In a nutshell, I took the end of the year as a time to analyze exactly where I was as a writer. What I've learned. What I still need to learn. What I really want from this all.

It's been very good to stop and examine these things. I think sometimes the writing world can feel like one big, crazy race. It's so nice, vital even, to step back for a while and take stock of it all. I'd highly recommend it.

An Announcement
The holidays were not without some excitement for me in the writing side of things. Remember my novelette "Confessions of the Watcher?" You know, the really dark dystopian story about a depressed, obsessive-compulsive, sexually frustrated guy? Yep, that one.

Well, forever ago I entered it into the highly competitive Writers of the Future contest. The results finally came in. I got myself an Honorable Mention. So yay! Nice little boost to my writerly confidence.

A Promise
I close my post today with a promise, well two actually. The first is that I am going to try to be around much more now. I know, you guys are all probably dancing with joy.

The second promise is that we WILL have a Photoshop Friday this week! One that will thrill and delight. I just have to think of it . . .

19 comments:

Liam said...

Yay!
I love yaying.
And Photoshopping.
Especially on Fridays.
No, seriously. I'm glad you're back.

Jenni James said...

Yay! Welcome back! You are loved and were missed...

But I totally hear you, on the stay away for a while thingy--it rocks! LOL!

Jenni

Natalie Whipple said...

Hey there:) Welcome back, though since I talk to you quite frequently I haven't felt so deprived, heh. Can't wait for Photoshop Friday.

Candice said...

The Watcher absolutely deserved an honorable mention and more! I'm so proud of you!! I missed your witty blogs and photoshop Fridays so much. I'm so glad your back!

Candice said...

*ahem* you're back, not your back. Why can't I spell words correctly the first time???

Cate said...

Awesome! Great to have you back! :D

Jessie Oliveros said...

Congratulations! Honorable Mention. Wow. You should post part of your story for us to read. I'm glad you are back. Now you can enter my contest on Thursday.

Renee Collins said...

Liam-It's true! Photoshopping on Fridays is the best. ;)

Jenni-Thanks. :) And yes, I'd recommend taking a break to anyone. Gives you unmatched perspective.

Natalie- :)

Candice-I'll always be grateful for your kind review of Watcher. :) You rock.

Cate-Thanks!

Jessie-I might post a little of my story, though now I'm going to try to submit it to magazines, so I can't put up too much.

Also, yay! I love blog contests. :)

lora96 said...

YAY!!! Glad to have you back and congratulations on the Hon. Mention! That's awesome. If I enter contests, I tend to me Un-mentioned. :)

Michelle D. Argyle said...

So glad to see you back! I hope we can chat sometime and catch up. Congrats on the honorable mention!

Kiersten White said...

ROCK. ON. I'm so proud of you : ) That was a freaking awesome story.

Can't wait to see more of you in the blogosphere!

storyqueen said...

Welcome back.

Shelley

Miriam Forster said...

Whew! I thought you were going to come back and announce you'd quit writing, were going to retire the blog, and planned to move to California and beachcomb for a living.

So glad to be wrong! :)

Melissa Hurst said...

I'm glad to hear that you're back! Sometimes a break is exactly what is needed to recharge the batteries:)

Congratulations on the honorable mention! And I agree that it would be great if you could post some of your story. It sounds like something I would love to read.

V. S said...

Welcome back and congrats!

Renee Collins said...

lora-hehe, Un-Mentioned, I've been there for sure. :)

Michelle-Yes, we totally need to chat sometime.

Kierst-Aw thanks. :)

Shelly-Thank you!

Miriam-LOL, oh that I could be so lucky!

Melissa-Thanks! I think I might have to post a bit, just to motivate myself to start submitting.

V.S-Thanks :)

Kasie West said...

Yay! I'm so glad you're back. I've been checking here regularly and I was rewarded today with a new post! Congrats on your honorable mention, that's awesome. And no pressure or anything, but I look forward to your PSF (that's short for Photoshop Friday and will be how I now and forever refer to it as) :)

BTW, are you coming for LTUE?? I'd love to see you.

Becca said...

Well, well, well....Writer Barbie is back...GOOD!! ;)

And congrats again Ren on the award....its just a preview of exciting things to come...I feel in my bones!!! ;)

Natalie said...

It's nice to see you back, Renee. I like a little time off every now and then too. And I am constantly reevaluating why I write/blog/twitter too. I still don't really know why. :)