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IWSG — My 2 Year Blogiversary!

Today’s the day for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) where, on the first Wednesday of every month, writers get together to share their insecurities and offer encouragement. The IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, and you can learn all about it and sign up for it here. Insecure Writers Support Group Badge

On this date two years ago, I posted my first blog post. I was embarking on a new journey, the pursuit of my dream of becoming a published author, and I wanted to document that journey in hopes that it might help someone else who had the same dream.

I went back and read that first post and couldn’t help but smile at how far I’ve come. Not only did I achieve my dream, I’m on the verge of accomplishing it a second time. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Book II: Trouble By Any Other Name will be published this spring.

To celebrate the revelation that dreams can indeed come true, I’m reblogging that first post. Never stop believing in your dreams.

*****

March 2nd, 2014 — It’s Time

Writing has always been a part of my life. It began with creating stories in my head for fun when I was young. Or rather, creating characters who wrote their own stories. I never told them what to do. My characters took care of that themselves. They lived their adventures, fought, loved, and sometimes died, in my mind. It was like watching a movie in my head, seeing and hearing the characters as if I stood beside them, holding my breath, along for the ride.

As I grew older, my mother suggested I write my stories down. Such euphoria ensued, sparking a dream of one day being a published author. To hold in my hand a book of my own making would be the greatest nirvana. But life being what it is, with the necessities of having a steady income to pay the bills, and later the beloved obligations of family, the dream stayed just that — a dream. Writing remained a hobby, though in my head my characters’ stories still clamored for release.

Until now. Now, circumstances are such that my dream might actually be within reach. I am going to self-publish my novel. There… I said it. I’m going to self-publish my novel and set my characters free. Wow. Just writing the words and putting them out there is enough to make me laugh and cry at the same time.

I know this will be a huge learning experience, and there will be bumps along the road, but I will persevere until I hold my book in my hand. It may not be the best book ever written, but that’s okay. It will still be nirvana to me.

This is my journey. I invite anyone who wishes to share it with me.

*****

Originally, I was planning to release my second book in April, but with A to Z coming up, I chickened out and decided on the first week of May. I hope to do a blog tour soon afterward.

If anyone would like to help me out by doing a release day post or hosting me during the blog tour, that would be wonderful! Please let me know in the comments. Thanks so much!!

 

 

 

 

 

© Lori L. MacLaughlin and Writing, Reading, and the Pursuit of Dreams, 2016. All rights reserved.

56 thoughts on “IWSG — My 2 Year Blogiversary!”

  6. Happy 2 year blogiversary! And congrats on making your dreams come true with not just one, but potentially two self-published books! 🙂 That is quite an accomplishment to achieve within two years!

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Congratulations on blogging for two years and all of your success!!!
    Plus, I loved your book trailer so much, I wondered . . . how much would you charge to create one for me?
    I haven’t seen many book trailers so well done and so good that I watched them all the way to the end. Excellent job!
    Plus, I would like to host you for a book tour – both the opening day blast and the tour. Let me know what kind of post you would like by e-mailing me.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Oh, my goodness, Tyrean, you just made my day! Thank you! I love making book trailers. They’re so much fun, but I’ve never thought about being paid to do it for others. Let me think about that. And thank you so much for offering to help with the tour and release day promotion. I really appreciate it!

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  10. Congratulations on your 2 years blogging. And on your upcoming second novel.
    Your post reminded me of myself so much, as if I wrote it. The stories in my head. The huge chunk of time before I started writing them in earnest. It all feels so familiar, so me… 🙂 I guess many of us share similar stories.
    Happy book release to you, Lori.

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. Congrats on your blog-anniversary!! Your first blog post was way better than mine. All the ones in the beginning of mine were me falling over myself trying to post interesting stuff about Egypt (not about writing), thinking I’d have to entertain fans of my book. I still get a lot of hits on the Egypt posts, but I’m MUCH happier writing about regular life and writerly stuff. I’d love to feature your book on my blog in May! Just send the info at the end of April. 🙂

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  12. Lori, this is so awesome. You’ve stuck to it, stuck to your goal and your dream and you’re releasing your second book. You should be very proud! And you know I’m a stop on your blog tour 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  19. Congratulations on your 2 year blog birthday! I just had my blog birthday in February–7 years old. It took six years to write a story I loved enough and wanted others to read enough to self-published. I’d be happy to host you in May.

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  23. That’s amazing that it’s been two years! For both of us, really – I think yours was the first blog I followed when I started that March. 🙂 You’ve come such a long way on your journey – congrats! I can’t wait to see your second book come out.

    I won’t have time for A to Z this year, but I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

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