Saturday, November 8, 2008

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yes, today is my birthday. I won't tell you how old I am, but I will say that I'm one year shy of being 21 twice. Anyhoo, I'm really excited about this birthday, because it's special in a big way. Why? Because I kept a promise to myself and attended my first writer's meet-up. That was my present to myself. Putting a fire under my bumm and participating in my writer's group.

I've been a member for 9 months now. But, I've yet to get to any meetings. That is, until today. I'm so happy with myself. It was just another small victory in my determination to re-identify myself as a writer.

There's something to say about getting to know other writers, whether they write in the same genre or not. We all have many of the same challenges, disappointments, and what-not. It's important to understand that we are not alone in this journey.

It may not seem like a "big-deal" to others. But, to me, it was. When you break enough promises that you've made to yourself, you find that you just quit making them altogether. That's where I was. I just gave up because I had lost my resolute attitude. So, when I quit making excuses, and signed up for NANO, and RSVP'd for my meet-up, and told my family that I was getting back up, brushing myself off, and going for it again, this time with all the self discipline and resolve that I could muster, I realized that I was not only making a promise to self, but to others. A sense of accountability rose within me. I would not only be disappointing myself, but I would be breaking promises to others who believe in me.

I am a writer. Writers write. It's as simple as that. Happy Birthday to me!

XOXO CJ

6 comments:

Tabitha said...

Happy Birthday!!! And congratulations on calling yourself a writer! That's the best birthday present ever. Very exciting! :)

C.R. Evers said...

Happy Birthday! I hope it's super special!

Christy

sruble said...

Happy Birthday CJ!! Yay for getting out there to meet other writers too!

C.J. Raymer said...

Thank you, ladies! I had a wonderful birthday. Filled with all things "writing." Brunch with my writer's group, then lunch and Barnes & Nobles with hubby. A new journal, chick-lit written by a friend, and notebooks for my handbag. (Three, so I will always have one in one of my three fave purses. No excuses!) And, the realization that I AM getting somewhere. That was the best gift of all! ;-)

XOXO CJ

Kelly Polark said...

Happy Belated Birthday, CJ! I think you gave yourself the perfect gift!

Courtney said...

Happy Birthday, friend! I didn't know or else I would have crashed your date at B&N- lol!

Happy Days to you!!

Must Reads

  • "A Long Fatal Love Chase" by Louisa May Alcott
  • "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
  • "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith
  • "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo
  • "Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier
  • "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing" by M.T. Anderson
  • "The Grace Awakening" by Charles Swindoll