Last year was kind of a weird year for me. The many vet visits and, at times, uncertainty of whether or not Sally would survive the year, threw me into a funk, from which I still haven’t fully recovered.
Writing’s been hard, and blogging harder. The good news is I managed to finish editing Hazel and Holly. It’s now in the proofreading stage, then after that, formatting for publication. I’m planning on doing the print formatting myself this time around, which I’m actually quite looking forward to learning.
Now that Hazel and Holly is (nearly) done, though, I feel like it’s time I shifted my focus a bit more to the blog. If I were doing the A to Z Challenge, now’s the time I’d start writing the posts. But I’m not ready to throw myself into the A to Z deep end, not this year, anyway.
But, I like the focus the A to Z Challenge provides, as I always choose a theme. And focus is what I need right now to help pull me back up into a normal blogging rhythm. So, I figured I’d do my own A to Z of sorts, but spread throughout the year rather than one month. That’ll equal a post about every other week or so, which sounds just about right as far as I’m concerned. It’s probably more accurate to call it a blog series though, which incidentally may or may not have posts ranging from A to Z. I’m not going to be super strict about it if I can’t find an entry for a particular letter (I’m looking at you, X).
But of course we need a theme, and the one that’s speaking to me right now is:
Everyday things that we might not associate with magic, yet that have a magical connection all the same. It’s an idea that’s always held appeal to me; I like the idea that our world, and we ourselves, can be more than what’s visible on the surface. I think it’s why I write fantasy.
I don’t have all the posts planned, so it’ll be interesting to see what I can find and if I can complete this series all the way to the end of the year.
Anyway, until next time, where I hope you’ll join me for the first installment: Alphabet.
I love that theme! And there IS magic all around us, especially in the everyday minutiae. Such an elegant experience we all enjoy, without the perspective to enjoy it fully. Looking forward to your blogs.
Thanks, Lori! 🙂
Sara, I’m glad for your dedication to focus and your ideas. I’ve been on a similar path having been distracted by needing to find a job — filling up the black hole with my resumes online, and, then, jobs just really get in the way of writing. I love your theme. As Lori said, magic is all around us. Those magical moments are so special and to be cherished. Looking forward to reading more.
It sounds like we could both do with some extra magic in our lives, Samantha. Best of luck to you with the job hunt. Hopefully you can find something you enjoy, and that will still allow you to write when you can.
Hi Sara – well done on getting Hazel and Holly nearly to the finishing line … good for you. But I do like the idea of Magic in the Mundane for a series of posts through the year … the A-Z methodology is fun … sad you won’t be joining this year – but understand … good luck and cheers Hilary
Thanks, Hilary. Yeah, it’s always a little sad when I have to bow out of the A to Z (this will be the second year I don’t participate), but keeping my sanity is always a good thing. 😉 Glad you like the idea of the series though.
I have been debating the A-Z (I’ve done it the last two years). I am hoping I will have time this year, but if I do, I will have to prepost about five days of post because I am planning a trip to the Dry Trotugas and don’t think I’ll have internet access during that time.
I like your idea of spreading it out. You’re posts last year were very informative.
Well, I find that posting ahead is nice regardless of whether or not one will be out of town. Just seems to make life a little easier. Good luck with it though, if you decide to participate.
And, thanks! I also like the idea of spreading a themed series like this out. Kind of wish I thought of it sooner. 😉