Firsts

Does the excitement ever dim when you reach a "first"? Think about your life and all the firsts - specifically the ones you remember. Your first day of school, your first bicycle, your first boyfriend/girlfriend, your first apartment/house, etc. You experience excitement, as well as some fear, anticipation - it is a step into the unknown. A conscious step into your future.

I had a first yesterday. But mine didn't come with fear - just excitement. I received my first royalty check. Someone was actually paying me for my stories. Yes, I've been paid for my writing before - but that was because I was working for them, either as a journalist or a technical writing. This is my first payment for my books. I wanted to dance, to sing, to celebrate.

Okay, in the greater scheme of things, it was a very small check. It doesn't even begin to cover what I've spent in advertising and promotions. But still... the excitement is there and I think I'll hang onto it for a while - not the check - that's going into the bank. I'll hang onto the excitement. :)

Then I'll start writing again. Working on the next story. Working for my next "first". I can't wait to see what it is.

March 30

Birthdays: Anna Sewell, Sean O’Casey

Tips and Teasers: Show the characters through their emotions rather than telling us about them. Don’t tell the reader she’s angry, show her throwing the vase.

Thought for the day: "Writing is a privilege. A joy. A pain in the ass. The easiest thing in the world to do. The most difficult feat to pull off. It is profound. It is ridiculous. Better than making love. Akin to dying. More trouble than it’s worth. Like rolling down a hill. Like scaling the Alps. Whatever it is…it’s not for amateurs. You really have to want to write, to write." - Rod McKuen.