Writing...with purpose?

Prior to this attempt at writing a novel, I've never gotten past chapter 2. Usually I get started, then stop it because I see some flaw, but this time is different. It's so exciting. I actually think this story line is solid, and I'm on chapter 5 now.

I'm more into writing now than I ever have been, especially after I received an e-mail from a kid in Denmark.

I've started posting short stories on a website called Helium.com. I've posted 2 short stories on there, and each has been ranked #1 in their respective categories. One of them was a "Vampire" story, which was ranked #1 out of 132 submitted vampire stories. Well, this kid in Denmark read the story and wrote me an e-mail with a request. He's at a film school there and his final project for the class is to write a script for a short film. After reading my story he wrote me asking if he could use my story to write his script. I was blown away. That's just...wow. I can't put into words how much that meant to me.

Now, if the kid's script is one of the 15 top scripts in the class, they are going to make a short film out of it, and I'll be credited as the screenwriter. Just...wow. It's too cool.

I've never thought I writing was all that great. I just enjoyed doing it, but maybe there is something more to this than I initially thought. Maybe my writing is pretty good. Idk. I can't get over that some kid in Denmark read my story and was so inspired by it, he wanted to use it to write a movie script for possible production. It's nuts.

So I've decided to post most short stories and excerpts from my novel on the site and see how they fair. Fingers crossed...

What is a blog?

I had a good conversation with a friend today, and it got me to thinking...what is a blog? What is acceptable and not acceptable to put in a blog? What should and should not be put into a blog?

For me, a blog is everything and anything. Since I can remember, I've loved writing. I'm much better at writing than talking, and I'm many times faster at typing than handwriting, so a blog to me is a place where I can get things off of my chest.

I've written some things on my blog which were very not nice, and I wish I didn't write them, but I don't apologize for writing them. I wish I didn't write them because the person it was about hurt them, but then again it is my blog: my place to write my feelings and thoughts, so I don't apologize for what I've written in the past. In fact, I don't apologize for anything I ever write here. It's my spot. Here's where I can be myself and be honest with myself. If no one agrees, too bad. If no one reads it...just as well. I just see this as a place to get my thoughts off of my chest.

It was mentioned that the person was glad he/she didn't blog because it comes back to bite you in the ass...but I disagree. As long as you're honest with yourself, it can't bite you in the ass. Honesty is one of the most important things, so as long as you were honest, who cares. If people don't like what you write in your own blog, screw them. I have nothing wrong with people commenting with disagreements. In fact I encourage it. I just think what someone writes in a private blog should not be protested, as long as it's honest. I have read blogs I disagree with 100% and find disturbing and I have developed not-so-nice prejudices about that person, but I would never fight to take that person's right away to write in their blog.

A blog is what you want it to be, and for me it's...me.

I've decided to delete all of my past posts for two reasons. First, I disagree with stuff I've written in the past, and there are things, like my grandfather's death, that haven't settled with me, and I don't want to be reminded by those posts...so they are deleted. I've started a new...again.

So, I'm hoping for an upturn in my life. I've realized it won't come on it's own, so I've sort of forced it with my writing. I've decided to push aside the short stories and work on the novel. I've done about 3 chapters in a week...that's nuts. I've never written that much in that amount of time. It's great. That means I could have a rough draft done by July. I won't...I won't have it done this year I'm sure, but I'm trying. I've realized that it doesn't need to be that good the first time...that's what corrections/rereads are for.

I want to post the chapters as they are done, but I won't. I've decided not to. So, if anyone wants to read them, let me know and I'll send it to you as I work along.

And my career focus has changed. I've decided to pursue something I would actually like. Something I'd actually enjoy: Teaching. I start my classes in April...at least I'm supposed to. We'll see how the financial aid goes...but if I get it I'll start April 1st. I'll be ready for licensure in about a year and a half. Hopefully it works, but I'm so excited about it. I'm hoping this works out.

Statistic

It is said that the average person will change their career or choice of career about 3-5 times in his/her life time...

I have become a statistic.