To Blog, Or Not To Blog… Perhaps That Is The Question.

Today’s mission for my blog is not to write something profound, something incredible. No, today it is something different.

Today I start seeking out other struggling writers. I seek them out because there are creatives out there working nine to five jobs who dream of success and want to get better. I seek them out because as I write the posts for this blog I feel as though my words fall on deaf ears. It sure is fun to get a few views. But wouldn’t it better if I got more? Of course!

Today I start to form my own circle of writers who want to be heard and want to read other people’s work. After all, some of us have to work at writing to be good, and only through reading and writing can we indeed get better!

Why am I doing this? Well if you read over my past posts, you’ll notice that I started writing with another person and that has proven quite fun and rewarding. The act of us bouncing a story back and forth has been interesting as we misinterpret each other’s ideas quite frequently; so where one leads the story, the other most certainly does not follow. The simple act of passing it back and forth has ignited some insane creativity flare which has me wanting more. It’s like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” novel where your choice is limited to a thousand words… and then your characters are left to someone else’s devices. 

If you’re reading this, I hope you’ll comment. I hope maybe you’ll shoot me an email. I hope that maybe after the hours and hours searching hundreds of blogs I may stumble across a few people who are like minded or at the very least excited about the creative process. I’ve reached out to you, read at least one post and now you may be returning the favour. If so, I whole heartedly thank you. 

I decided this year I wouldn’t NaNoWriMo… the reason being not only had I written a one hundred thousand word novel, but it taught me a thing or two about writing. I learned that if you just get out of your own way and write… it’s extremely easy. Is there such a thing as writer’s block? Perhaps. But sometimes smashing words into a keyboard mercilessly will prove worth the effort!

After reading this post over, I have decided to leave this as my fragmented thoughts for the day. I’ve been growing so frustrated with writing for no audience that after deciding to reach out I have followed many, many… sooo many blogs today searching for writing and NaNoWriMo tags in hopes to find and connect with those kindred spirits out there!

Also, as a final note… to any of you who may come through here while I sleep or have come through here while I have been on a whirlwind reading and post writing storm- Thank you. No really, just you ladies and gents stopping by is support, something to get me back into the habit of writing. Not only that, but it has been super hard in Australia to find people who share my passion for writing. Well, it has been easier now that I’ve switched stores to one closer to a University! But I do hope you all find something you enjoy on here or at the very least check back every once in awhile to see how insane I’ve gone!

Until the next post! 

0 comments

  1. exdevlin says:

    I am one of the lucky ones who you’ve just started following, and to you I give my heartiest thanks! I actually found it quite flattering to see a sudden follow from someone I didn’t know at all. It’s encouraging, and encouragement is just as helpful when you’re trying to write something, anything.

    • TJ Edwards says:

      It sounds a bit crazy and maybe it is… but I’ve decided to seek out others because as you just pointed out, it’s a great feeling! To know there is an actual person out there who has and will read more of your stuff… it’s just nice! I’ve been writing a long time and the only thing I can tell you to do is keep writing. Even when you think it is the worst, push through and keep going. You can always edit it later, finishing something or anything is better than nothing at all! That’s what NaNoWriMo is really about.

    • TJ Edwards says:

      I’m definitely onboard with that! I’ll be posting more and more as time goes on… especially if I get some followers! It is great to see many of the people I’ve chosen have followed back but even better when I get some comments! Thank you for the view and hope you keep in touch! Also the blog post that I enjoyed of yours was the plotting for NaNoWriMo one… interesting to hear how some other people have planned!

  2. Very encouraging post.
    Thank you for reaching out, it really is hard to find other writers in my daily life but my experience on WordPress have very fulfilling and so is doing NaNo with its great community. And now with someone like you willing to take the awkward first step and ask to be included in my journey to better writing, I am simply humbled.
    Thanks again.

    • TJ Edwards says:

      No problem! I feel like sometimes this whole internet thing is still new… what’s right, what’s wrong… but I guess I’m past that point! I just want to connect with some people with the same crazy passions as I have, I’m glad you’ve taken the second awkward step and replied! I look forward to keeping in touch!

  3. Hello, fellow writer! Thanks for following me! I have to say that I think all of us who want to establish connections are in the same boat. Writers love to be heard, but only so many are willing to listen, hehe. I love to talk to other writers as much as I enjoy knowing that a few people have read my blog or my book. I hope you get others on board too! Writers should talk more, since the act itself is, typically, meant to be done alone.

    • TJ Edwards says:

      Greetings and thanks for following me back! This has been an exciting evening, I’ve increased my followers by dozens and read many interesting posts… now all I can ask myself is, Why the heck didn’t I do this sooner?! It has been fantastic reaching out, especially to the masses doing NaNoWriMo… I did it and lost almost the rest of my hair, but it was worth it. Eventually I stopped worrying about quality and just worried about direction of the story and quantity.

      All that aside though, feel free to keep in touch and if there is anything of yours in particular you’d love for me to read, email me or leave a comment or well… any of the ways on my blog! Thanks again and I look forward to keeping in touch!

      • Looking through the NaNo tag yielded a veritable goldmine for you! I have netted a few new followers through it as well. Never a bad thing to know there’s others out there going through the same thing. Me, I’ve been NaNo’ing since 2009, and while my success rate is split down the middle, I love to do it. I can also understand why people don’t do it. The sometimes hectic pace can be daunting. I’m just over the halfway mark in mine and I am chugging along. 🙂

        I have links to other writings on my blog if you’re interested. Feel free to point me at your stuff, too. I want to support a fellow writer!

        • TJ Edwards says:

          Yes the NaNoWriMo tag gave me a plethora of struggling and triumphant writers which gave me loads of hilarious and soul crushing posts to read and go through. I have chosen not to do it just as I have chosen not to do Movember… both were really annoying for the entire month and at the end of it… the Mo looked better than the NaNoWriMo.

          I would love to see what you have… is there any one thing that you want me to read first? For me… my short story Circle of Vengeance is self published for free on Lulu.com, I’ll post a link as I update my blog from 1.0 straight to 2.0!

          • I just downloaded Circle of Vengeance and I will be checking it out in between breaks from NaNo. My project is taking me on a wild ride. As for something of mine, you can check out my Scribd.com page, http://www.scribd.com/sgulledge I have three stories uploaded there, one of which is complete. The other two are favorite projects of mine that I hope to go back to one day. I also have my sci-fi book, ‘Renegade’ available for purchase through CreateSpace.com and Amazon. Definitely under no obligation to buy it, of course. 🙂

          • TJ Edwards says:

            Oh wow! You downloaded my story! I certainly hope it’s good enough… I would definitely love to know what you think (good or bad) at one point or another, so drop me a line when you’re done.

            Also checked out Scribd and noticed you’ve got lots of writing on there! is Fallen Star or Tainted the completed one? I will read it after work, but I’ve bookmarked the page for later perusal.

            Also, if you swing me a link (Not that I’m lazy, but running out of time until I have to leave for work) I’ll check out your book… see if it’s something I’d be interested in. If it’s mainly a romance I may not buy in, but Renegade sounds promising!

          • My field of interests is pretty varied; while most of my projects have romance in them, it’s never a straight-up plot point. Fallen Star is a YA fantasy, as is The Shadow Conflict (which is the finished story). Tainted falls more along the lines of romance, albeit tragic romance. I have a soft spot for that particular trope. Renegade is science fiction. It’s not hardcore science stuff (I am no scientist, heh) though I liken it more to the Mass Effect games. You can find the link here: http://www.amazon.com/Renegade-The-Xabeldi-Chronicles-Volume/dp/1482569108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384643537&sr=8-1&keywords=serena+gulledge

            Happy reading! I will let you know what I think of Spirit of Vengeance. 🙂

          • TJ Edwards says:

            Fallen Story and Shadow Conflict just moved up the list to read, what can I say… I love my fantasy! I won’t lie… Tainted may not be my thing, but I may give it a go!

            I did love Mass Effect (even the ending everyone wanted changed!) so you’ve piqued my curiosity with Renegade. I read the short excerpt and it seems pretty good! I’ve only got five other books to read before it, but I’ll let you know when I pick it up!

            Also, did you self publish? And how does Amazon deal with printed copies? Is it print on demand or what?! So many questions! I’ll keep you posted as to reading your stories!

          • Tainted is one of those dark, tragic romances that involve revenge. It’s not your typical Romeo and Juliet stuff. There’s forbidden love in The Shadow Conflict, though it’s interwoven with the main conflict of the story. But hey, if you check it out, great! If not, that’s okay too. I write long stories. Fallen Star is the shorter of the two incomplete titles. I just added my epic, 300K word fantasy, The Last Hero, to my Scribd page. I saw you mentioned LOTR in earlier comments. Might be up your alley too. 🙂

            I self published Renegade through CreateSpace.com, which is affiliated with Amazon. It is a print on demand service (order a copy, wait for it to come in the mail type deal) though right now I only have physical copies available to purchase online. I personally dislike e-book formatting but it’s a step I will have to take if I want the best exposure for my buck. CreateSpace functions like Lulu, too, if you decide to self publish your own work in the future.

            I started to read Spirit of Vengeance today. Did you want me to email you a more thoughtful critique when I’m done? Thanks again for the story swap! I’m always looking for new stuff to read, and I enjoy supporting my fellow writers. 🙂

          • TJ Edwards says:

            Before I say anything else… 300k?! Damn. I thought I was doing good getting to 100k, but 300k… you’re on another level. Now I feel like such fresh blood, just another lamb to the slaughter! Seriously though… what is your estimated Word Count total (just for the things on your Scribd page)? Just curious! I’ve been wondering how hard it would be to get published these days and I’m starting to see that the answer is near impossible!

            Yes I am a huge LotR fan, have been for a long time! I watch it once a year (extended, not theatrical!) and have enjoyed many of Tolkien’s other books as well. Cannot wait for the next Hobbit movie! If you’re saying your 300k word fantasy epic is LotR style… well, I might just have to head on out and take a look! I can clearly see that I’m going to do more reading and responding to comments than writing if I keep growing this circle, no regrets though!

            I went with Lulu for my short story (as you may have noticed) and it seemed fairly simple. I guess now I am wondering if it was the right choice. I mostly just wanted it out there so I could see what people really think about it. I had a close knit group of friends read it before I expanded into a group of twenty fellow writers who all rated it anywhere from a six to a ten out of ten. That felt good and made me want to see what the average reader enjoys or hates about it. Now that it’s out there, I’m nervous… like a group of my imaginary friends suddenly aren’t invisible to everyone else now!

            I would love to know what you think of Circle of Vengeance in any detail you can spare (I don’t want to pry anyone from their own writing!) but that is the whole reason it is out there. It may be different to the novel I’m currently writing, but I believe my style (if I have such a thing) may not have changed between the two. If there is anything I can correct from that thirty odd page short story to my four hundred page novel… I’d love it if I could avoid being blind-sided! Thanks again for downloading it and I think this whole idea will go swell! 😀 Great times are ahead!

          • That 300K story took me three years to write, and it clocked in at about 1200 pages before I cut it down to about 850+ pages. I haven’t written anything that long since, not after I realized how much it’d cost to have someone professionally edit it. It was driven by my want to have fun in my own fantasy adventure world, but I’m not pushing for it to be published now. I am content leaving it online for people to enjoy for free. Don’t feel like publishing is impossible. It’s difficult, sure, and involves more rejections than not. Still, if you believe in a story, you’ll continue to press on. I went with self-publishing because I wanted to be able to preserve my artistic integrity. I see what’s on bookstore shelves, and so much of it is uninspired drivel. Makes me sound a little elitist, but it’s how I feel. Many other writers I’ve spoken to feel the general public likes rehashed stuff rather than new.

            Whoa, getting off track here. Sorry about that. As for my word count estimate, I’m not really sure. Renegade is about 67K words, while The Shadow Conflict runs probably closer to 80K,+. Tainted and Fallen Star are incomplete at this time. One has just over 25K, the other probably around that total, maybe a little less. I don’t go into a story thinking how many words it’ll have; it’s as long as it needs to be. I feel the same way about every story. A book that’s 20K words in length can be as engaging as one with three times that many. Never, ever judge a story by length. 🙂

            I understand the hesitation associated with sharing a piece of writing with someone outside friends and family. I haven’t finished Circle of Vengeance yet, so I don’t want to give an incomplete review. Don’t worry, I only save extreme critiques for my own stuff, not anyone else’s. I can promise you I will be fair. 🙂

          • TJ Edwards says:

            Holy replies Batman! We’ve gotten out of hand 😀 But oh well, at least I know you shouldn’t have any problem with word count today! Just teasing, but the general public does love rehashed stuff (Twilight anyone?) but I suppose I’m hoping that they do.

            At this point people love familiarity, however lately they love risk. Look at two of the most popular TV shows, Walking Dead and Game of Thrones. Any main character can die, at any moment, and this gives the the whole TV show this ticking time bomb of how long can they possibly last?

            Also as for total word count, they say you have to do anything for 10000 hours to be good at it, so I’d say you are most likely a good writer and can’t wait to read your stuff. I’ve bookmarked it for later but as I had a dinner to go to tonight, I didn’t get to start any of them! And don’t worry about giving a harsh review, I suppose I don’t want you to sugar coat it! I may seem nice, but I’m still a stranger, I promise I can take it! If it sucks, tell me! I’d hate to go into a publishing situation and be laughed away! Although if it is harsh, email me 😛 That way I can take it in private and others can find out how terrible it is for themselves! Hahaha

          • TJ Edwards says:

            Just giving you a heads up that I also nominated you for the Liebster award, which I’m sure you’re familiar with. A good old chain blog post… but it’s a nice concept! Either way good luck with the writing!

          • Wow, thanks so much! 🙂 I haven’t forgotten about your short story or my promise to give you my thoughts. Just got back to work this week, so I’m behind on things. Hopefully I will get back on track soon!

          • TJ Edwards says:

            Oh that thing that pays the bills? Yeah work really crams itself in between the things we love to do (eat, sleep, write). No worries on my story, I’m sure you’re good for it! And no pressure! I’d rather you read to enjoy than critique, just you reading it is enough for me to keep writing!

          • Glad to hear it! I know I produce faster if I know someone is eager for what’s next. I can enjoy and critique at the same time, hehe. But if you rather I withhold that sort of commentary, I understand. It can be difficult accepting criticism from friends and family; I am a stranger yet, and the last thing I want to do is make you feel bad. I can tell you this, though: by the number of replies here alone, I think you’re getting off to a great start as far as networking. 🙂

          • TJ Edwards says:

            No no! I want the whole hearted, unadulterated truth! If it is utter crap, I would rather know now than before I hand in a novel to an editor! Although hopefully if you think it is crap (not saying you will) please let me know what I need to work on! I can take constructive criticism (You know, after the tears… j/k!)

            Although it’s funny you say that, I never really considered this networking! This is literally just fun and getting in touch with more likeminded people! But now that you’e mentioned it… not too shabby at all!

  4. alexandsam says:

    Hi TJ – thank you for following me! I’m a full-time librarian, part-time writer – I belong to an in-person writing group and I have a regular in-person writing partner, but online – I’ve felt like I’ve been speaking into thin air with the blog. So thank you for asking me to be part of your circle! I’m looking forward to it.

    • TJ Edwards says:

      At this point, the circle is getting bigger by the second! I figured I’d start with the NaNoWriMo tag and follow some people posting about it because anyone attempting that madness must be passionate about writing! Now I am realising that by tossing out a few follows, I’m catching on quite quickly!

      But I do believe I know what you mean about blogging into thin air… I’ve written a really inspired piece, only to not even have a person like it! It’s almost more soul crushing at that point. Well tell you what, if you ever want something read, just send me an email or comment and I’d be more than happy to! Thanks again and talk to you again soon!

    • TJ Edwards says:

      Oh wow! I seriously recommend it! Also… if you could call it something like… “TJing” a story… that’d be awesome. Always wanted something named after me 😛 But it’s really fun! You can figure out who’s going to start and they introduce some characters and some scene setting and then every 1000 words, Swap! It’s a great practice to try and keep your portion right on 1000, keeps you concise and also makes it easier to track who wrote what! Have fun and let me know how it goes!

  5. Nikki says:

    Thanks for the follow, TJ! That always gives me a little kick to say, “Yes, someone *is* actually reading your blog!” 🙂 I too have a writing pal and we do the same thing with bouncing ideas and being each other’s cheerleaders and anchors. She’s going to get me to 50k this year I think! 🙂 ~Nikki

    • TJ Edwards says:

      Hey, thanks for the followback! That is actually why I set out on this crusade to not only get some more people who love writing within an arm and keyboard’s reach but in the same hopes they’ll give me unbiased feedback as I will for them as I continue writing! I wish you so much luck with your writing and the 50k, just remember… go for quantity not quality and write even if you think what you just wrote was terrible. You can always go back and edit it, but it’s getting to “The End” that is always the hardest. Looking forward to keeping in touch!

      • Nikki says:

        It’s a great idea. I have connected with other local writers who have battled NNWM with me via FB (check out my about.me page for all my links), and that’s how my writing BFF and I met, actually. I started a new story this year so I had no excuses and can just push forward. I’m a little behind count wise, but I. Am. Going. To. Make. It. 🙂

        • TJ Edwards says:

          You will make it! Just keep writing, even if you hate the dialogue or think you’ve gotten stuck… turn your writer’s block into a problem for the characters… do what must be done to conquer the ALMIGHTY 50000 WORDS!!! (Of Doom) Good luck Nikki!

  6. What an honest path you’ve chosen to take. Judging from the number of comments to this post, and at your ‘about me’ page, I’d say it’s working. Now I’m considering a fresh search for new blogs. (I haven’t done that for a while.) I’ve been in a terrible slump for the last couple of weeks and I’m trying to get back to working. Your enthusiasm and dedication is inspiring … and, hopefully, contagious. Best of luck with NaNo, and beyond.

    • TJ Edwards says:

      I thought I had managed to get back to everyone who left a comment and here I find you sitting in my pending folder! Stupid filters! Thanks for the comment and the passing glance! I would say it has definitely proven better than I could have ever hoped for. I would definitely recommend it as now I have this whole new resolve where only mere hours ago I was considering leaving the blog out in the cold. If you need any help getting out of your slump, I’d be happy to help in anyway I can! But look, overall the only way to defeat the slump is to plough through it. Write something, anything, keep the direction of your story firm and write the absolute worst thing you may have ever written in your life. But eventually, it’ll catch hold and you’ll be back on track. Then you can go back and butcher/edit that part later. If you’d like I can check in with you to see how it’s going from time to time, maybe that will help you smash it out? Knowing that some random guy, somewhere in Australia is waiting for you to tell him your story is complete. Who knows? Whatever works though! Good luck and we’ll be in touch!

  7. marsreine says:

    I try and take the time to check out who was crazy enough to hit my follow button. When I read this post I read part of myself. It is hard to type and type and type only to feel like nobody is really paying any attention at times. So, thank you for following. I’d love to be a part of your secret society of writers, Having that connection is encouraging. Last note then I promise I’ll leave your comments alone, I fully support writing with another person. It’s so much fun and it challenges your creativity sometimes in a way you never could for yourself.

    • TJ Edwards says:

      Oh no! Don’t leave my comments alone! That would be the last thing I would want! The whole reason I did this was to make that contact with the creators and writers out there struggling and having the same issues as me! I would love it if I had as many people as I could who are as excited by writing as I am! Weird sentence… Anyway! The method of writing with another person is a ton of fun! So long as that other person is just as committed to the writing as you are! I wait with bated breath every time I email the story back to him and refresh my email a hundred times or more until I’ve got it. It stirred my creative side that enjoys the challenge and it’s also a ton of fun just to see how the other writer interprets what I’ve written! Also, please keep in touch! I would rather you commented twice a day everyday than leave my comments alone! Know now, that at least one random soul in the “interwebz” is behind you, cheering you on! Good luck!

      • marsreine says:

        My current co-blogger is my “other person.” I’ve gotten into online roleplays because they offer that challenge, typically in 300 words or so. Now my co-blogger and I have a site where all we do is post back and fourth. It’s a great way to stretch your legs and the rush of unpredictability is refreshing. Plotting together is fun too. I hope you keep at it. I haven’t found anything more motivating than writing with another person. I’ll try my best to keep in touch. I hope you do the same. Have to keep the circle going. Oh, and thank you for the support.

        • TJ Edwards says:

          “Other person” sounds like an alternate universe you or something, geez, tuck that story idea in the back pocket! I was considering doing a shorter block of writing, but 1000 words felt significant enough for development and progression but short enough it could be done in a night as we pass it back and forth.

          We haven’t plotted anything. I simply introduced the main conflict in the first line and we’ve been building a story with no idea where it can go… we haven’t even decided when we’d like to stop! It is pretty motivating though (for me at least). Oh and I’ll do the same, I’m absolutely enjoying all these newfound kindred spirits!

          Also, support is free of charge 😀 I’m just glad to be a part of everyone’s writing world as I know how private many of us writers can be!

  8. Virginia says:

    Thank you for following me! I feel honored to be part of this idea you’re trying to get at. I think it’s great to put yourself out there and try to create a online community of writers/bloggers.

    I’m really jealous of the writer friend you made and collaborated with. I just moved to a new area where I don’t have and writer friends (yet). That is so cool you all worked together despite certain differences and had fun in the process.

    Anyway, thanks for checking out my blog and I am excited to see what more you post on yours!

    • TJ Edwards says:

      No need to thank me! You’ve followed me back and that is more than thanks enough! I’ll admit, now that a ton of writers have converged on my writing I feel more exposed than ever before… what if my writing is rubbish? What will the masses think? But I guess I’ll get over that, especially if I want to get published! I am so willing to read anything everyone has written even if just for a comment! All you’d have to do is ask!

      You should be jealous! Not really, it has been awhile for me… I’ve been living in Australia for awhile now and just found one. But as I talk about being a writer, many customers and friends have mentioned they are too. It has been awhile since I’ve had a decent network of friends as such, but if you’re having trouble finding a writing buddy or partner in crime, let me know! I’m available! I only work forty hours a week, which leaves… some time to help out! Ask anything of me and you may be surprised what I can help with! Or if you like a concept I’ve posted I’d be willing to share a story with anyone… secretly (or not so secretly now) I just love writing!

      Thanks for swinging by and please keep in touch!

  9. Valourbörn says:

    Hi there!

    Thanks for the follow! I’m quite intrigued by this and like the idea of building a community of writers. Writing is a lonely task, but one of the most rewarding–and it’s made even better when it allows you to make a connection with someone else. So I’m totally on board with this idea.

    Hopefully you won’t feel like you’re speaking to thin air anymore when you post. I’ll be reading, for sure 🙂

    • TJ Edwards says:

      Awesome! I’m so glad people have decided to comment too! I love the follows and even just the visits I’ve received in the past few hours, but most of all I love the interaction! When I tell people I talk to myself out loud in character sometimes when I’m alone they genuinely think I’m crazy, but other writers can understand on a level no one else does!

      So look, because I’m pushing this and hoping it takes up all my spare time… if you need anything read, critiqued, edited, or just plain viewed- Let me know! I’m absolutely excited at the concept of having as many writing partners/supporters/friends/allies/accomplices as possible! That way when I stray, they’ll be there and I can do the same for them! Nice to meet you and thanks again for stopping by!

  10. Thank you for the follow! Writing is a lonely endeavor but the online community of writers like you and the rest of us who are here right now makes it less lonely and definitely more fun! My ‘serious’ writing blog is morrighansmuse.com while my fangirl one is the one you ended up following – but it’s all good. I still write there, too 🙂

    I’m doing NaNoWriMo this year and so far, I’m at 25K. I may not exactly finish the book as I’m editing as I go (big no no for NaNoWriMo but that’s how I roll) but I like that extra nudge and this time, I intend to finish it. It’s great to know that I’m not alone as a writer on WP. So I’ve followed you, too 🙂

    • TJ Edwards says:

      Writing is both a serious and lighthearted affair, I briefly checked out your other blog and I suppose in a sense it may be too serious for me. I can appreciate the writing, but I have been writing to escape the doom and gloom of this world since I was young. It’s always been my happy place between the lines and I’m glad you can have a serious side too!

      As for NaNoWriMo I believe that is what lead me to you. I am reaching out to those writers on WordPress doing the challenge this year to let you know an unbiased soul is out there cheering you on and waiting to hear your progress! Also, edit at the end… because editing kills the smooth ride. Obviously it’s up to you, but I found when I just kept writing and not worrying about what was behind me… it flowed smoother and the writing gets better as you continue. Don’t worry I’ve found some gems of my half asleep muse forcing me to continue writing has conjured but I made it to 100k! Good luck, take care and keep in touch!

  11. ElitistGeek says:

    It’s like you’ve sounded the Horn of Gondor. And here I am T.J., ready to go on this wonderful journey of writing, brainstorming, and other writerly things that writers do with you. Thanks for following my blog, it is good to know that my experiences and occasional words of wisdom are reaching the ears of other writers. I am both honored and thrilled.

    For a long time now I’ve been trying to get either a circle of writing buddies together or even a writing group. They have all failed. Most people get lost in the thrill of writing and then lose interest and disappear. Not me. I’m in this for the long haul. Writing is my life and always will be.

    I can’t wait to see where this goes!

    • TJ Edwards says:

      First and foremost- Email me (Link is somewhere on the right side of the page) I’d love to discuss writing activities with you! The more I focus not just on this blog, but writing- the more I forget the PS4 is out in Australia soon, the less I care about the new movies arriving in theatres. Long haul? Count me in.

      Also, you mentioned a LotR relic of awesomeness, which puts you into a circle that I have now concluded is even more exciting! You’re a writer? Like LotR? We have more in common than I do with most people! This has been an exciting time and my fingers have been tapping away replies and ideas and editing like never before.

      This is good. No, this is awesome! I need someone to hold me accountable and someone who wants to be held accountable! Together maybe we can do this? Maybe it will fizzle out! But we’ll never know until we give it a try! I’m ready, the question is… are you?!

      • ElitistGeek says:

        You got it. I’ll send you an email in a few minutes after I send this comment.

        I’m glad you got my LotR reference, I spent much of my childhood and early adolescent years being completely obsessed with Lord of the Rings. I have Tolkien to thank for introducing me to the wonderful world of fantasy-genre books (which would later kindle a love for RPG’s/MMO’s). Anyways, I’m getting off topic, I’m happy to see we have something in common!

        I’m honestly kind of burned out from trying to gather a group of like-minded writers (a writing group I guess it’s called), because they always fizzle out not even a few days later (yeah). But I think it would be unfair to not give this a shot, because hey, writing really is a lonely business. I don’t want to take on the Level ?? Writing Dragon Boss on my own. I’ve always played a healer and I’m squishy, So I need help. (You’re going to hear a lot of nerd/gaming metaphors from me.)

        But to answer your question: Yes, I’m totally ready! Bring it on.

        • TJ Edwards says:

          I haven’t seen an email come through yet… I’m waiting!

          Also, that is one thing I love about writers… for the most part I’ve found many nerds hide among us (myself included, but not so much on the hiding side of things). I’ve always loved Tolkien but when I was really young I fell in love with the Drizzt series by R.A. Salvatore. I loved the way he wrote action scenes and I found that Tolkien didn’t leave me enough for my imagination, he described too much!

          I’ll admit, at the moment I am completely overwhelmed by the response to the callout… My editing is only allowed once I have replied to every comment! However this has been the most exciting thing to happen to my blog… well… ever! Alright, well once I get your email we shall discuss not only what we should do to keep each other writing, but also to see how else we can help out!

          I’m stoked! Welcome to my life likeminded writer internet friend! 😀

    • TJ Edwards says:

      Perfect! If I had known that before, I’d have done this a long, long time ago. I love other writers and just feel so comfortable talking to them! Even if we aren’t interested in the same genres, the core facets of writing give us something to talk about! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you’ll stick around! How far are you from your 50k?

    • TJ Edwards says:

      Thanks for stopping by! As you can see, so do I and I’ve suddenly exploded with more writing acquaintances than ever before! Hopefully they’ll all turn into good friends and someday we may all cross paths!

  12. LindaGHill says:

    Hi there! It seems we have a lot in common; the compulsion to keep writing, the appreciation of comments and views, and not least of all, the tendency to use “NaNoWriMo” as a verb. 😉
    Very nice to meet you, TJ. Thanks very much for the follow. 🙂

    • TJ Edwards says:

      No worries! I just love having so many writers within a typing distance away! I’ve never known so many writers before so it’s an invigorating feeling! Thanks for swinging by!

  13. Good morning. (Or good evening, as the case may be.) Thanks for visiting and following my blog. I’ll definitely check back here again and read some of your writings.

    Best wishes for finding kindred minds. It does appear that there are many writers out there and when you see how many millions of people are blogging, it shouldn’t be hard to find friends. It just takes time.

    Just finished Nanowrimo yesterday, so I can get back to civilization again. 🙂

    • TJ Edwards says:

      Well, I formally welcome you back to the world! No problem on the blog visit… I’ve been reading as much as I’ve been writing, if not more! It has proven quite invaluable not only for networking but just finding those people out there with the same interest, not sure why I never thought of this before!

      As for reading my writings, feel free to leave any comment, good or bad (or if you’re worried you’ll hurt my feelings my actual email is at the top right in the side bar). Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to future chats!

    • TJ Edwards says:

      Welcome to the insanity from inside my head! I’m glad someone relates… makes me feel, well… less crazy! Of course, that is unless I have populated this entire world with figments from my imagination… @_@

        • TJ Edwards says:

          I’m glad and thanks for commenting! I do try and post regularly and I like to think that what I think just makes sense.

          But I wouldn’t be surprised if I was simply a goldfish somewhere imagining this whole life!

Drop me a line, wait for my reply!