in the beginning...

Oh, The disillusionment begins!

In February of 2009 I started writing my first novel. Now, obviously that wasn't the first time I had attempted this: throughout school I wrote a few short novels/long stories, but for better or worse they always found a way to get away from me, be it a laptop sinking to the not-so-tech-friendly depths of a bathtub or a loss of dedication on my part.(well, if not even I was still interested, it couldn't have been too thrilling a story, eh?)

In February, i didn't have either of these problems(thank the administrative powers that be!).

"A Tainted Freedom" took shape in the space of two and a half months.

After typing the last word i sat, taken aback for a moment by the fact that I'd actually finish it.

As you might expect, I then did an extremely enthusiastic, if slightly(very) odd little jig of joy around the entire flat, screaming my head off and nearly scaring my mother to death.

After all the commotion and a calming cup of tea with mom, I sat back once more and thought quite differently: "Isn't this the part where the(very corporate chic) publishing fairy flies through my window and waves her wand, making my novel appear in exclusive books with a pretty cover? Instantly selling millions?"

Apparently that's not exactly how it works.

I know, it shocked me too!

But, all is not lost! Over the past few months I've met a virtual smorgasbord of people who, though not sparkly or publishing wand endowed, have helped me discover "the next step" in my little adventure.

So, slightly disillusioned but never better off for it, I continue taking notes and cautiously tip-toeing forward.

I hope to share some of the lessons I learned with you, and that you might share yours with me.