Exactly a year ago today, I wrote the following sentence:
“So, apparently, I have a blog now. Trust me, no one is more surprised than I am…”
This sentiment is still true, twelve months on – I am constantly amazed to be in possession of a blog. (Small confession: I am an intensely private person who was once honoured by The International Association of Introverts with their prestigious “Introvert of the Year” award…there’s no actual ceremony because all the introverts just want to stay home and read and be by themselves, but it’s a great honour nevertheless.)
In short, I am not the sort of person who likes to talk about themselves – like, at all, but certainly not on the Interwebs where any damn person can see. And yet, one year and forty posts later, you’re reading this and here we all are.
First, can I just say, thank you so much for showing up and reading this post – whether you’ve been here from the start or whether you’ve just happened across Notes From the Blanket Fort for the first time. I’m grateful for you taking the time from your busy day – I know how much you’ve got to do today – and I hope that I have been amusing and entertaining and thought-provoking.
My purpose in setting up Notes from the Blanket Fort was to promote my first novel, The Kitchen Sink Sutra and set up a place where people could find out about my book. What I didn’t anticipate was that I would come to enjoy writing the posts so much, that I would start to see them as being as valuable as any chapter of the new book, and that they would help me to become an even better writer.
I also didn’t know how incredibly awesome it would be to open up my laptop and see the little red circle proclaiming that someone left a comment!
I said in my very first post that I would probably talk about “writing and creativity and the importance of a really good cappuccino,” and that there was bound to be “odes to dogs and their people, some reflections on being an independent author and the odd bit of existential angst.” I’ve re-read a lot of the past year’s posts this week and I’d have to say, that prediction was uncanny in its accuracy. I was even able to keep the existential angst to a minimum. (The writing about it, anyway, if not the angst itself.)
So where do we go from here? Hopefully in the next few weeks, I can show you the cover art for The Date Square Dharma and tell you when that highly anticipated book is slated to make its appearance in the world. And yeah, there will be more posts about dogs and coffee and the hilarious tiny humans I teach and since it’s me, probably a liberal dose of existential angst as well.
In the meantime, to celebrate this auspicious event, everybody who leaves a comment on this post gets their name entered into a random number generator thingy and the winner will get a signed copy of The Kitchen Sink Sutra mailed directly to them (with a bit of Godiva chocolate and my everlasting thanks for reading and commenting.)
If you don’t mind, take a second to tell me what you like about the blog, or what you’d like to see more of. I’ll make the draw next Monday, March 11th so you’ve got until then.
UPDATE: Barb Charlebois is the lucky commenter and I will be mailing her a signed book and some chocolates this week.
Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting!
P.
P.S. I’m writing this morning and the manuscript for Date Square Dharma will hit 87,000 words today. And most of them are pretty good words…
Hi Patti, I haven’t followed your blog for very long, but the last few that I have been privy to have been a real treat to read. They are funny, informative and its like sitting down over a cup of coffee at 10:00 a.m. and just chatting. I look forward to your blog very much and am anxious for your new book to come out. your friend Barb
Hi Barb! Thanks for the kind words! Next time I am in town, I will drop by in person for a coffee! (Look at that, I just invited myself…)
Congrats to my favourite new Canadian author! I loved the book, thoroughly enjoyed the blog, and CANNOT wait for Date Square Dharma!
Shauna, you’re making me blush…but I want to know: how did Margaret Atwood take the news that she’s been downgraded to second place? 😉
I’ve written to you before when I found that you had a blog. I loved The Kitchen Sink Sutra and could have met you when you did a reading at the Penetanguishene library last summer, but, i only found out about your reading after you’d come and gone. That was when I bought your read. I’ve got my close friends in Penetanguishene to read the book and in most cases, buy one. We’ve all been waiting for your next book and I’m still hoping that you’ll do a reading from your new book at the Penetanguishene library. I am a dog lover myself. We have two of them, so, I truly enjoy your notes about your pup. Every time I see an E-Mail with your most recent blog, it cheers me up. Continue with your writing and hope to meet you one day here in Penetanguishene.
Irene, it makes me so happy to hear that my blog is a bright point in your day! It’s great to know that I’m not just sending my words out into the great void. As soon as I know when my next Penetanguishene event will be, I will let you know. In the meantime, you should know that I finished chapter twenty two today. “The Date Square Dharma” is getting there…
Best wishes to everybody at the museum!
Hey Patti, I look forward to reading your blogs each month. Your writing style, sense of humor and positive outlook on everyday life always make me smile. I especially appreciated your Dec. Blog about the Christmas concert….so true in my experience with kids in school.
Keep sharing your thoughts and stories!
Thanks
Penny, thank you for your kind words! It means a lot to know that people are reading and enjoying the blogs. As for the Christmas concert…I’m still worn out from the whole experience! And only nine months until the next one…
I am sorry that it’s taken me this long to find your blog. As I start to read them, they bring me back to a much simpler time. Time spent role playing, dressing up and singing Donny and Marie songs up in the attic. The acoustics were perfect for the songs (or so we thought). Looking forward to reading your books. Keep up the great work
Hi Teresa! So glad you’ve found Notes From the Blanket Fort! Those were the days, weren’t they? I’ll just say this: the Osmonds are just lucky that we never decided to take our show on the road…
Canʻt wait for backyard book club part 2!
Jane! I thought you’d never ask! 😀
Seriously though, you get extra credit commenting from Tokyo!
Happy blog anniversary!!
Blogniversary?
I was thinking of going with the French…”Joyeux Blogiversaire!”
I love reading your blog! You do have a great way with words, and the blog always makes me smile. Can’t wait to read the next book!
Lesley! I’m glad my blog makes you smile because you also crack me up! And I must say, of all the book clubs I’ve done, the one on your deck had the absolute best view…
Love your posts Patti. You have a gift for writing.
Thanks, Betty! Your encouragement when you read Kitchen Sink Sutra meant a lot to me…
I believe that associates and affiliates do not qualify for the draw, but regardless, Tango and I wish you many happy returns on this blogiversary. I think we may commemorate this milestone by bringing home another Malinois…
Yes, I think owners/employees of Kilkenny Media Inc will just have to get their own signed copies and Godiva chocolates. And so long as Tango approves, I am all for your commemoration plan…but I need pictures, like, right away!
It’s a very windy fall day on Georgian bay. One like you mentioned when you snuggle up in a warm blanket and read. Today I have been re- reading your blogs and enjoying them just as much as the first time.
There is nothing better than a windy fall day on Georgian Bay, Sue! So happy that you’re re-reading…