Yessir. Way back on May 17th, I got the mad idea to start blogging in earnest. Look where that’s brought me!
I guess this, coupled with my previous post about half ways, is a great time to take a look back over the last six months and what they mean to me…
I’ve met some AMAZING people through blogging and writing in general, and I cannot thank you all enough for being so bright, supportive, funny and intelligent. I love reading your blogs, your comments, and knowing that you’re following along with my funny little journey through life. Hooray for all of you!
To that end, I guest blogged a couple of times, but I’ve been especially lazy about doing more of that since June. I have ideas! I just haven’t put forward any of my proposals to the blogs I’m eyeing off.
I received my first fiction publication contract in July. It’s a modest piece, but it’s a huge step for me. Having something creative accepted and coming out in an awesome physical book is so very different than the non-fiction I’ve previously had published. They cannot compare. Any time I think about my story coming out in April, I still get so excited! It’s only a few short months to go, really. What’s that compared to my to-date lifetime of writing?
Toward the end of July, I completed the full first draft of a novella. I had never intentionally written a novella before, and it was a very different experience to writing a short story or a full novel. August and September swirl together in some kind of terrible hole; one of my lovely cats died, and I caught what was probably swine flu. Bleh. October brought about a rush of creativity in both writing and crocheting, then I got right into editing my novella.
And now? Well, I’m meant to be finishing up that edit, but I got carried away with another little piece today. It’s pretty awesome. I just need to find it a home! I think I know where I’ll submit it, at least to begin with. I’ve even had two of my betas read it already, and they gave thumbs up all around! Awesome!
So. Six months of serious blogging, and I think I can say it’s been successful for me – after all, I’m still doing it! I’ve gotten to say a lot of things, meet great people, and generally share lots of interesting things in my life. That’s an experience I’ve enjoyed, and will continue with. Thanks for being here with me!
~A
The Fane 
It sounds like you’ve had a wonderful six months, since you started blogging! I started my blog back at the end of February, so my year anniversary is only three months away.
Congratulations on all the achievements! Here’s hoping there will be many more.
Hooray! A year is a very exciting landmark, it’ll be here before you know it. 😀
Thank you so much!
~A
It definitely is!
You’re very welcome. 🙂
Congrats on keeping at it for 6 months. Seems like it was just yesterday you started this thing, and already you’re on your way to a year and other mathematically inconvenient mile markers. Keep it up! Or else!
Thank you! Hey, someone has to do it! Might as well be me since I’m already floating about the internets most of the time. 😉
~A
Woo hoo! Congrats on an excellent 6 months, Ashlee!
Thank you, Cynthia! 😀
~A
Congratulations, Ashlee! What you’ve accomplished in just six months is pretty remarkable! I’m glad to be along for the ride. =)
Thank you, Annie! 😀
~A
Hi Ashlee. I’ve just found your blog from the literary lab comment you made and I will be happy to follow your blog.nI really like your posts. I just need to figure out how to follow it, though. ( I have blogspot).
Hi Julia, and welcome! From what I know, there should be a little grey button/tab on the bottom right of the screen which says +Follow, and you can enter your email address to receive notification when I post. I’m not sure if there’s another way to follow from other blogging services. If that doesn’t work, I update Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays (Western Australia time). 😉
~A
Thanks Ashlee. Yes, I am doing it correctly because I am getting your reply. Thanks again. I am glad to be a follower.