Every month a question will be posed that may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Remember, the question is optional. You can write about anything that relates to your writing journey.
Let's give a warm welcome to our co-hosts: Erika Beebe, Olga Godim, Sandra Cox, Sarah Foster, and Chemist Ken!
This month's question is: What's the one thing about your writing career you regret the most? Were you able to overcome it?
The only thing I regret about my "writing career" (if you can call it that) is that I didn't start submitting and looking for an agent when I was younger. Though I've written on and off most of my life, I didn't make the effort to get "mainstream published" until I was much older - I won't say how old because now I'm REALLY old and I don't seem to have the drive to spend hours every day at the computer.
That said, I'm happy and content with what I've done so far. Maybe some other things will get published, maybe not. Either way, it's okay.
***
On that note I'm pleased to share my article in the travel magazine, Destination: US Virgin Islands. This article is about how my grandparents came to own Trunk Bay, considered to be one of the most beautiful and most photographed beaches in the world, and how my grandmother ran a guest house there for years, without electricity.
So, Happy New Year, to me!!
This is my second article with this travel magazine. You can read my first article from 2020, HERE. The company did not print a magazine for 2021 so it was a pleasant surprise to be invited to write an article for the 2022 issue.
Trunk Bay was my first home. This is
place where I learned to swim, body serf, and fish off the rocks with a handline.
This is probably explains why you can take the girl out of the islands, but you can't take the islands out of the girl.
***
Tomorrow is Three Kings Day, a holiday celebrated with much gusto in Puerto Rico.
My mother was one of those children who put straw and water under her bed for the camels
only to wake in the morning to find presents.
Happy Three Kings Day to all!
***
Being Thankful
Today I'm thankful to be here and to have made another revolution around the sun.
There is SO much to thankful for, despite what the news says or what people complain about.
Now it's onward into 2022. Who knows what it will bring? More of the same?
Something worse? Something better?
Whatever comes,
may we all be a calm during the hard times and joyful during the easy times.
I pass on this Tibetan Buddhist prayer to one and all.
May you be at peace.
May your heart remain open.
May you awaken to the light of your own true nature.
May you be healed.
May you be a source of healing for all sentient beings.
Happy New Year Everyone!
That prayer is a good one. Happy New Year, Bish.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you, Liza!
DeleteThat prayer really speaks to me. I'm like you when it comes to getting published. It's okay if it happens and if it doesn't.
ReplyDeleteYup. So it isn't "mainstream", BIG publishing house, I've still got a lot of publications under my belt.
DeleteHi, most of us have some writing regret but I guess that's a part of life. We live and learn.
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteCongratulations on the article. That's cool your family owned Trunk Bay.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex. It was way cool to be a the only person on the beach when I was 6/7 years old...
DeleteI'm so happy for you. An article! That is just wonderful. As to starting late... I win that contest, Bish!
ReplyDeleteWell, that may be true, since the first things of mine that were published where in my high school yearbook, but you've been a more dedicated writer and have way more books under your belt.
DeleteI submitted a number of things in the early 1970's but never got accepted. For me back then just typing the writing was a chore because I had to borrow a typewriter or use one at the university library. And typing on those old machines was difficult for me. Computers have been a great contribution to those who like to write.
ReplyDeleteSo much to be thankful for, but so many distractions that get in the way of being thankful. Still, I'm thankful for all that I have.
All the best to you in the coming year.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Oh, typing on those old manual typewriters was definitely difficult! My dad gave me a Smith Corona portable typewriter as a high school graduation present. I loved it, but... When I got my first IBM Selectric around 1975/76 I was in HEAVEN!
DeleteHappy New Year, Arlee.
That's great about the two articles. Your children's stories were so cute, I hope you write more.
ReplyDeleteBeing content is key. Awesome about the articles. Trunk Bay looks and sounds pretty awesome too.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the articles.
ReplyDeleteTrunk Bay. What a lovely place to live.
Is today your birthday or did I take the orbit around the sun too literally?:)
Congrats on your articles.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the Three Kings Day. It sounds like a wonderful holiday.
Trunk Bay is absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations on the article! I hope you do publish more if it moves you to do so.
ReplyDeleteThe Warrior Muse
Hi Bish - congratulations on the entries into the Travel Magazine - I hope there'll be lots more to come. Living in those islands ... just wonderful to think about - so understand your thoughts. Also your stories from the islands are delightful - cheers and all the best for 2022 - the Tibetan Prayer is just what we need, thank you - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Bish,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you, too. Such a lovely sentiment! Thank you! WOW, what a stunning place to have for your home. I always loved the water and most of my life lived within a mile of it. Sadly, Never on the beach like you. But , to strong along crashing turf in the bright sunlight is so therapeutic and wonderful!
I wish I had started my publishing journey earlier as well. I started very late, probably later than you and now I finally will have my first published short story this year! Twelve years it took, but better late than never...right? I am thrilled and even though I am older, I am ready to dive into more. I recently read about an 85 year old man who just started writing/publishing and is already a bestseller. Sometimes, timing isn't at an early age, but at the remaining years of your life. God certainly does work in mysterious ways...
Congratulations on the article. Trunk Bay looks like a really beautiful place. Thats also a really nice prayer. The cultures I come from also celebrate Three Kings Day (AKA Epiphany Day), So Happy Three Kings Day!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your printed article. That is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I too wish I'd started writing earlier. Now I worry I'm too old to write all the stories I want to write. Congrats on the article!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2022!
Happy New Year, Bish!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your online article.
Age? Pfffft... it's just a number. LOL