A Writer’s First
On reading Darren’s Blog, one of his posts got me thinking on the past year.Â
And as I turn my head and look back on the year behind me I’m surprised to see how far I’ve come. For a long time I considered myself a writer. A writer who barely wrote, who rarely wrote, who never wrote.Â
Except for this past year.
Because you see, I have written a novel.
A complete one. Forty-eight chapters, 80,000 words. With real characters, and real situations. A fantastic story in an ordinary setting.
A labor of love.
Now I can say I’m a writer. Now it has become real for me.
You see although I have done poetry and such before, finishing the first novel is a major step.
At least for me.Â
It definitely went past the three-chapter limit of my other failed novels.
It certainly became something that mattered.
It had become real.Â
I have begun the process of querying agents for representation. All I have received so far have been rejections, but I’m still hoping.
Someone will read. Will understand. Will be excited as I am.
For you see, I have written a novel. In the past year.Â
I’ve already started a second. And it’s past chapter three.
So as I look forward, no matter where I go. No matter whether I will amount to be a novelist, or just a struggling writer.
I will always look back to 2006. This past year.
As the year.Â
The one I became a writer.
Comments (42 comments)
Fantastic post. Your best to date.
I loved it.
I agree with everything. I understand.
2006 is the year that I became a writer too.
You’re a star.
Cx
Caroline / December 19th, 2006, 11:36 pm / #
Great post.
It gives the rest of us hope.
paperback writer / December 20th, 2006, 1:17 am / #
Congratulations! I want to read your book jsut because of the way this post was written.
Sarakastic / December 20th, 2006, 1:54 am / #
Congratulations. I will read your novel Leo!
Ces / December 20th, 2006, 4:05 am / #
I want to read you novel too! And you’re so right… somebody WILL read it and understand and be as excited as you are! There’s an agent/publisher out there just waiting for your book and one day you’ll find him/her and we’ll all finally have our copy of your book and we’ll be able to say “we know Leo Cruz, the famous American author”
Sharon J / December 20th, 2006, 2:30 pm / #
I am so happy for you. You’re doing what you were meant to be doing.
Menchie / December 20th, 2006, 2:34 pm / #
[...] A Writer’s First by Leo [...]
More Reviews and Predictions - Group Writing Project Day 2 / December 20th, 2006, 4:00 pm / #
Caroline - Thanks! My best to date? Really? And yes I remember, this is your year as well.
Paperback Writer - I’m glad I’m able to inspire hope.
Sarakastic - Thank you for visiting and for showing interest in my book. It’s inspiring!
Ces - Thank you. I knew you would.
Sharon - I don’t know about famous, but I want to agree with the rest. Thanks! and it’s so nice to see you here!
Menchie - I think so. Thanks for the happy thoughts.
leo / December 20th, 2006, 6:42 pm / #
Wonderful post…it’s nice to hear such positive and refreshing thoughts. If this post is any indication, your book will be a success!
Brad Shorr / December 20th, 2006, 7:41 pm / #
A dream that beacame reality.People can learn from your example.A true nisight.’
I also got entry in darrens project.
http://technospot.net/blogs/index.php/2006/12/19/predicting-the-evolution-of-techspot-insideout/
And i am feeding your blog.There wont be another chance to meet so many bloggers
Ashish Mohta / December 20th, 2006, 7:48 pm / #
That’s a great year in my book. I also focused on my writing in 2006 for the first time. I’ll see you in 2016 when we can say we’ve been writing for a decade!
Karen M. Lynch / December 20th, 2006, 7:53 pm / #
Luogo molto buon. Le mie congratulazioni!!! O_o
trenitalia / December 20th, 2006, 8:10 pm / #
Wow, congrats to you!! Have a wonderful holiday as well!
We also participated in this project, stop on by if you get a chance!
Mama Duck / December 20th, 2006, 8:23 pm / #
Brad - Thanks. I hope it to be.
Ashish - It truly was a dream come true. Now if only I could get it published.
Thanks for the feed.
Karen - I will certainly hold you to that. 2016 here we come.
Trenitalia - (I could only get the congratulations) Thanks!
Mama Duck - I did. What a wonderful post. Thanks!
And thanks to everyone for stopping by and leaving their comments.
leo / December 20th, 2006, 8:39 pm / #
Great post.. congrats on becoming a writer!
Thaleia / December 21st, 2006, 1:09 am / #
“Forty-eight chapters, 80,000 words.”
Wow….Congrats on your novel and best of luck in 07!
cornhole / December 21st, 2006, 2:20 am / #
Great post, and congrats! I also wrote my first novel-type-thing this year, thanks to NaNoWriMo.
You should enter a writing contest! I made a list of some of the best contests I know about on my blog (also for the Problogger group writing contest).
LearningNerd / December 21st, 2006, 5:29 am / #
Congratulations on a superb accomplishment, Leo! How long did it take you to churn out 80,000 words?
Wishing you continued blessings into the new year,
Jennifer.
Jennifer Lynn / December 21st, 2006, 8:24 am / #
Thaleia - Thanks!
Cornhole - Yea, I couldn’t believe it myself. Thanks alot.
Learningnerd - I’ve looked into some of those, who knows I may just enter. Thanks for the info, and congrats to you as well!
Jennifer - It took 5 months to finish the novel, although I’m still working on it, editing and such…
Thanks!
leo / December 21st, 2006, 9:08 am / #
Of course you’ll be famous!
Sharon J / December 21st, 2006, 5:49 pm / #
[...] A Writer’s First by Leo [...]
Bloglinkr Blog » Problogger’s Group Writing Project - Read Submissions / December 21st, 2006, 8:24 pm / #
What an inspiring post, congratulations on the completion of your first novel! I have one nearly complete, and am starting an enormous world-building project that will hopefully lead to a lot of novel material.
I’m in Darren’s project as well, here, but the link on my name is my personal/writing blog. Good luck with your writing!!
Danielle / December 22nd, 2006, 12:37 am / #
Congratulations!
Now begins the real fun, eh? I’m working on my own novel… but I already call myself a writer! Have for years 
Great post… found you off the problogger participant list.
Cheers
rashenbo / December 22nd, 2006, 2:52 am / #
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Congratulations, Leo! I wish you the best of luck with it.
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Congratulations on a successful writing year! I’m hoping that 2007 brings you success with your first novel and completion of your second one!
You said you were a writer who barely wrote - I’ve been there too! Receiving those rejections can be tough, but as any writer knows, if you’re receiving rejections, it means you’re putting your work out there, and that’s what matters!
Patty / December 31st, 2006, 6:54 pm / #
[...] A Writer’s First [...]
Thaleia’s Blog / January 2nd, 2007, 5:59 pm / #
I found the best thing to my boyfriend’s birthday… It’s really hard to find cool and still unique.
So today I saw this thing from ZTARLET on facebook where you can name a real star in heaven and have the certificate and a teddy bear sent to you and pay it by a single SMS. So awesome
AnnaNoble / June 5th, 2009, 5:20 pm / #
I saw that Casey Fronczek is offering fishing trips now down in south Florida. Does anybody have any input on these trips or has anyone been on one of these trips before?
CaseyFronczek / June 21st, 2009, 11:19 pm / #
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