The "Why" of it

December 19, 2012

Continuing my tradition of updating – rather than erasing and entirely renewing – this page, I would like to add two important events, as well as a locality change. I am now twenty-two and am studying in Oxford for my junior year abroad. I have a second blog, connected to this one, that is specifically about my Oxford experience and can be found here.

The important events are my two publications. I am now officially what may be called a “published writer”, whatever that moniker is supposed to mean. My published stories are both at Tin House: here is the first one, and here is the second, if you’re curious.

Things are happening in the writing world. It’s gratifying, to say the least, and it is terrifying as well. I am still waiting for my rejection letter from The New Yorker, though. That’s one I’m going to be proud of. Actually, I’m going to be proud of all of them, to a certain extent. To fail means to keep trying.

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Below is the first “About me” section I wrote for this blog. Below that is the update I wrote over a year ago. But now, after having completed the first drafts of three novels, things are a little different. I’ve proved to myself that I can write regularly, that I can sit my butt down in a chair and devote the time and energy to this craft. I’ve become a much more regular poster on my blog, and have proven that I’m able to stick with something. I’ve become more open to criticism, and I believe my writing has matured somewhat. And most importantly? I still love it.

Many things have changed: I’m now twenty-one, have finished my first year at college, am recovering from an eating disorder, and have gone through serious heartbreak. I’ve been on anti-depressants and have now stopped needing them, I’ve been in continuous therapy, and have learned to open myself up to the people who love me. I’ve acquired a tattoo and another piercing. There’s more, but it hardly matters; you get the picture.

In one month, I will have been with this same blog for three years. Here’s to another three!

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I’ve had many diaries and blogs over the years. I always used to start and open them just to talk about my own problems, my own silly day-to-day happenings. I still have a blog that’s like that. However, I wanted to try something different. I want to try to improve my writing, learn how to be funny and witty in my writing, keep people entertained. I don’t know if I’ll succeed, but my ultimate goal is to transfer my blog to my own website.

Why then? Because I have a year before I start college. I have a year to do something with myself. I don’t have many oppertunities or ways to do anything where I live, but I CAN try to have a successful blog online. A blog that people will actually enjoy coming to. I know, I know, I don’t have much of a chance, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try.

My general information, just to let you know who I am: I’m eighteen, I live in Israel, I’m American, I gradutated highschool, I’m a bit odd and I love to write. I’m also often shallow, an atheist, a liberal, a romantic, a very silly thing and a pessimist all too much of the time.

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Update, April 24, 2010, 1:30AM

Well, my blog isn’t what you’d call “successful.” But I have my friends, I have my readers, and I have my dedication. I’ve been writing on this blog for a year and a half now – actually, a year and eight months. And counting. I’m going to keep at it. I’m going to keep writing.