Another Step Forward

I am a writer. When I set the first words of my first book into type just four years ago, I never imagined becoming a published author. I just wanted to find out if I could write a book, start to finish, and create a story that caught anyone's interest. A few friends read the story and encouraged me to publish. Ah, but where to start?

I talked with other authors, submitted to agents and got a fair share of, "It's just not what I'm looking for right now" letters. Then I found a publisher (Wings ePress, Inc. http://www.wings-press.com/) who wanted to put my work into print. Now I needed a website. Something through which to make myself known and promote my work. I don't speak computer-ese. My critique partners will tell you I sometimes struggle with English.

But, I forged ahead and managed to create a web page (http://www.geocities.com/lindarettstatt) that I've now redesigned (over and over). You know how that goes. You go in, planning to make one tiny change, add one little link. The next thing you know, your 'page' is four pages, includes your book cover, excerpts, reviews, and links to every other author and publisher you know. Okay, so I'm proud of my accomplishments. The book? Oh, yeah, that too. But navigating the web and creating a site. Now that was a rush.

Most of my friends have blogs. I swore I would NEVER have a blog. They seem too self-serving. They present the risk of revealing too much of one's personal life without an awareness of boundaries. The name alone sounds like someone spitting out a taste of something spoiled.

Okay, so I'm eating my own words here. The truth is--a blog can be self-serving. Self-promoting. (And a writer must be those things.) The truth is--a blogger has to be aware of and sensible about boundaries and what they post for all the world to see. I can do this. And the name--blog. Well--it is what it is.

My posts will center, primarily, around writing, in all its aspects. Writing and publishing are serious businesses, but not without a good share of humor. I'll introduce you to my writing and, hopefully, to some of my writing companions.

So, here I am, taking another step forward into the twenty-first century. Thanks for joining me.