A Thank You To Gather and Gather Friends

     For the past few months, I have been facing some very difficult issues in my personal and professional life.  I tried week after week to write, both here on Gather and off.  Nothing.  I could not seem to get the words to form a decent sentence.  I finally gave up and thought I just would not be able to write again. 

     Last week, I stopped by Short Story First Line group just to see what was going on.  I haven't written anything for that group in months, but I wanted to read what others were writing.  The prompt brought a flood of emotions as a scene unfolded in my mind.  I began typing, but couldn't get beyond the first paragraph.  It was more than writer's block - it was emtional block as well.  The same day I started trying to write the story, I received a letter from a perspective agent who was reviewing my first completed novel to consider representation.  Suffice it to say, he's not taking my book.  It was a polite form letter, the kind that mimics the "it's-not-you-it's-me" break-up line. 

     The rest of the day, I couldn't get both the story and the rejection letter off my mind.  That evening, I faced the story again, immersing myself in the emotions and surroundings of the characters.  Then I typed.  And it worked.  After submitting it, I was elated that maybe, just maybe, my dry spell was breaking up.

     Monday I was touched and elated to see that A Hometown Hero had won first place.  I couldn't believe it.  Imagine my surprise later in the day to see my story featured on the homepage! 

     So thank you Gather and Gather friends, for helping me see that it isn't over.  Deep inside of me, perhaps buried but still alive, is a writer trying desperately to seek the sun and thrive.  One day, the writer will emerge and grow and bloom in the light.  Thank you so much.