On a Personal Note

Dear The StoryMaster and The StoryMistress ,
I joined WDC on May 2, 2007, seventeen years ago, a Michigan girl with big dreams.

I wrote short stories as a grade-schooler and a few short stories in high school, but the urge to write something bigger happened after I had two kids. My family praised everything I wrote, but I knew, for the most part, they were just being nice and trying not to upset me by telling me the truth. I had a long way to go to hone my craft.

I searched the internet for a home, a place to share my work and gain the feedback I needed to become a better writer. WDC didn't disappoint. Getting those first few reviews was terrifying, and the low ratings were a wake-up call. Soon, I found myself joining the Romance House. That was such a great place to start. Just reading the other stories inspired me to dig deep, to know that the things in my head could be put on the page; all I had to do was read, read, read, write, and I'd get there.

In the beginning, I would spend a lot of time in chat, which I loved. I made many friends, was introduced to more genres and expanded my writing because we used to challenge each other in chat. One person would suggest entering a specific contest, and we'd argue over it, then all jump in and enter to see which of us could place in that contest. Sometimes, it feels like it was a lifetime ago, but I've learned that those friendships and the community of WDC have become a second home for me.

Once we opened our business and I was working seven days, being here became difficult, and I found that I needed more energy to write. I always checked in over those three years when I was mostly absent, but that was basically checking the newsfeed and emails. I decided to hand off most of the contests and activities I ran to others so they remained or closed.

I came back this year, determined to regain the things that I loved, and I am so damn glad that I did.

Because of this beautiful community that The StoryMaster and The StoryMistress have created, I am home again, where I can join in, write, make new friends, and enjoy just being online. I love this place. I have gained so much knowledge just here and the confidence to write in genres outside my comfort zone. Even knowing some things may not be my best work, I gave it a shot, which is priceless. I cannot think of any other place online where that happens, where you have people rooting for you and wanting to see you succeed, unless they are family.

Ah, but isn't that it in a nutshell? We may not be blood-related here, but this community has a family atmosphere.

So thank you, The StoryMaster and The StoryMistress , for creating such a wonderful place to get creative, grow, and keep moving forward as we explore our second home, WDC, write and build our community. I am thrilled to be here.

And for the friends I've made along the way, I thank all of you too. I know I'm unique, but you seriously get me.

Write On!

WC: 544
Written for: "The Writer's Cramp"