FIRST POST

Woo! First official blog post! This is actually a lot harder than I thought it would be. I think of myself as quite adept at talking, some may even consider me overqualified. But it is different knowing that no one might be reading what I say. It’s a lot like talking to yourself: sad. Freeing. But sad.

Even if no one reads it, I like the accountability it forces upon me. A check in, of a sort, to make sure that I am actually writing. It also forces me to continually update the site, and hopefully, someday, have people that actually read what I say. Maybe not under the ramblings and thoughts section, because that is just me babbling on and on about nothing of import. But, I like the idea of working through my writing process, and updating it as I go. It helps me to take a deeper look at how I write, and allows me a place to share what I learn along the way.

I also love reading. Despite the fact that I have yet to post a single book recommendation, I have MANY. I’m not 100% positive on how I want to set it up just yet, whether by genre or by what aspect I appreciate about the writing, or just things I’m excited to read or am currently reading. Perhaps all of the above. Again, since no one might be reading my recommendations, it feels a little weird to post.

Most importantly, this site allows for me to practice writing. I am currently working on a story, and while I write, I tend to think of all these interesting (distracting) ideas that might have no place in the current work. I can instead write up a smaller short story that I can then explore at a later time. It also allows for me to continually practice writing, so hopefully it will get better. That’s the idea anyway. My luck, it will get worse. But again, if no one is reading them, then at least no one can judge them. 

Reading through some other authors’ blogs, it has become pretty clear to me that most set up a website with a blog after they have a published work/readership. At least for them, they know that they are not babbling to the void. I personally, though, have found that I enjoy going back and reading through the blogs of some of my favorite authors way after the fact. Therefore, maybe there are others like me, and they, too, will someday come back and read this post. (That is very optimistic of me, assuming that I will ever be a successful published author.) But, if by some miracle I am, and someone reads this post, then welcome!

My biggest fear here is that while I could talk and talk and talk, perhaps what I have to say is not really that interesting. Self-doubt is a killer for sure. I have a serious case of imposter syndrome: the fact that I’ve had no formal training in writing as I wallow away in the scientific field. It’s also kind of embarrassing to explain to people that have known me for a while that I am now writing (and talking to myself/the void), and imagining them reading this almost makes me not want to post it. Almost. But one of my main goals is to try and overcome self-doubt, because it is crippling to writing, and I never will be able to write unless I get.over.it. So here we are. I feel like putting the intention out there is half the battle.

I’m always interested in talking about writing, and learning different processes that author’s have, and trying to apply them to my own writing. I have found things that work, and things that really do not. I’m hoping to give a behind the scenes kind of look at my process, while continually learning and getting better. Feel free to ask any questions (if there is anyone there to ask)!