Starting Up Again

Nine years ago, when blogging had just been unveiled, I decided to give this new platform for writers a try.  I loved the idea of publishing my work—and instantly—without intermediaries. What’s more, the potential of reaching an audience of thousands was an intoxicating notion.

I committed myself to posting a piece every week.  I wanted to develop my skills in writing personal essays.

 

I kept this commitment for five years.

            

In the end, although happy with my growth as a writer, producing an essay a week burned me out.

            

But I never stopped writing.

            

Since then, I’ve written and published my third novel, The Saint of Santa Fe. 

I am also close to finishing my first young adult novel, The Season of Stories.

            

Although I grew weary of cranking out essays, I found the exercise stretched me as a writer. My prose has become leaner—it’s more straightforward and free of artifice. In essence, these days I feel that I convey my ideas with greater clarity.

More importantly, perhaps, is that the effort of those five years resulted in the publication of Love Made Visible, a collection of writings I regard with fondness.

And now, once again, I am ready to commit to a weekly post. This time, however, I am limiting these posting to the simple perceptions of someone who lives, teaches, and writes in the tropics.