Hey World!

Wow...I haven't been on here for a while! So much has been happening that by the time I actually get to sit down to write, I'm busy crunking out my novel and not a blog. I told you at the beginning of 2011 that this is the year that I'll be planting seeds. And I shall proudly announce that those seeds are beginning to germinate. I see signs of life sprouting from them, reaching toward an eternal sunshine. I'm loving what I do and living life blissfully surrounded by wonderful and supportive friends and family and partner.

Things are beginning to pick up. I got a lovely writing mentor in the bag. A gift from God. An angel. I got my work cut out for me. Networking like crazy. Writing like crazy. And like Jean-Michel Basquiat, I come up for air only to hang with the people most dear to me, have a drink with them, break bread, dance, pick apples. Then go back to my hole to write some more. For my 30th birthday....yes, I turned 30!!!...my partner surprised me with a literary themed celebration. A surprise birthday party followed where all my lovey-doves came out to wish me well. I was Zora Neale Hurston for my birthday month. And I felt her spirit every step of the way as I toasted to a new chapter. We stayed at the Harlem Renaissance House and had Harlem nights out. Talk about a sign!

Did I mention I'm also planning a "big event" next year? *wink* Yes...and the wheel keeps turning. But I'm balancing real well. It's super exciting. 2012 will be a big year. Gigantic. So gigantic that on New Years Eve I'm planning to wear a tutu and a pair of ballet shoes at the party, set to take a leap into the new year. I'll be the one twirling on the dance floor. Giving thanks.

In the meantime I'm enjoying myself. I tell anyone who asks how I'm doing that I'm "wrIting hard". And I mean every word of it. In the past when I used to say "working hard" it was only to make conversation. To shrug a perfunctory question off with a perfunctory answer. But "Writing hard" as opposed to "working hard" means that I'm enjoying every bit of the process. I feel more connected to myself, my characters and others. Like James Baldwin who's friends used to ask him how his characters are doing since he thought of them so often, my close friends are beginning to ask me how my characters doing, because they know that's all I think about. I sip my cup of coffee and open the morning paper and my partner ruefully asks "So, how's E today?" I meet my friend for brunch and she wants to know what another character is up to. I love it! I'm existing boldly as a "coooky", quirky writer with all these characters inside my head who my loved ones know about.

NEEEE-WAY...(in Ellen Degenerous' voice)...I may not be good with the blogging thing while I'm working. But I'll drop by to wave hello every now and again. So many issues to discuss...Like Occupying Wall Street! Fight the power!

Until then, see you soon!

Best,

Nicole

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