Friday, August 17, 2012

Reality Check

Words have never really been a problem for me. I've written several novels, and since the publication of my first one I've been rather verbose on the web: blogging, tweeting, Facebooking. I've got a regular monthly gig at Fantasy-Faction, and had a monthly post on The Writer's Vineyard, not to mention all of the guest posts and interviews I've done. Then earlier this year, everything came to a screeching halt, and I could barely manage one tweet a month much less blogs and articles. While I'm not quite ready to delve into all of the personal details, I will just say that my world turned upside-down, and for the first time in my life, I disdained retreating into fantasy worlds either of my own making or that of others. I've hardly read any novels and can barely even contemplate starting another one of my own. While I'm sure it will come back -- I have too much passion for writing for it not to -- right now I am content living in the real world. I have a job I go to everyday, I'm starting school at Arizona State University on Monday to get my Creative Writing degree, and I am responsible for the upkeep of my own dwelling. It was all a terrifying prospect at the start (and sometimes still is), and at the end of May I pulled a Jane Austen and fainted at Fry's from stress and dehydration. But I wouldn't trade any of it: I've discovered that I actually am a capable woman; I can take care of myself and thrive. One thing I've definitely learned is that while it's great to have an escape, it's even better to have the occasional reality check. It's good to have a social life and interact with people, it's good to get away from the computer, it's good to put that novel down once in awhile. It's good, simply, to live. Here's to more of the same.

4 comments:

  1. Yes, our lives did turn upside down, didn't they? It's been very painful for us all, but we are strong women. I've been thinking a lot about you, as you can imagine. I wish you the best of luck in your undergraduate degree at ASU. I'm sure you will thrive. I wish you well. I wish you success. I wish you happiness. I hope that you find the path that is best for you. Sincerely.

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    1. I think of you all the time as well. I am also incredibly humbled by your generosity. Thank you for the things you said; thank you for being so gracious. You have been very gracious to me throughout this whole time, and I appreciate it more than I can say in spite of my reticence. I too wish you all the happiness in life, even if my behavior seems to belie that. It's very, very true.

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  2. Please see my blog for response - I did not want to post it on your blog. Thank you for writing back.

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  3. I just checked in here because I'll be tabling at Tucson Festival of Books and wanted to say hello if you were there. It does not appear likely, which is totally OKAY. Ashley, I hope all is well. After reading this blog post, despite difficult times, it sounds like things ARE well.

    Continue blazing forward. You're an intelligent, strong, and fun person -- and living life is the whole point, that is so awesome. <3

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