About

I’m a born writer. I dictated my first story to my Mom before I could write (I’m sure accompanied with melodramatic sighs and artistic flourishes). By the time I reached grade 4, I was already dabbling in Sylvia Plath-type angst tinged with Poe-esque macabre. I was a poetess. Forsaking my own parties to curl up on the deck, the poetry I wrote was neither wonderful nor particularly angsty but the spirit of artistic suffering was beginning to bloom (with the hint of gothic darkness that still intrigues me).

Fast forwarding to now (since nothing interesting or noteworthy happened in the past 20 years), I’ve made it my mission to reclaim my muse and to embark on an epic adventure. Tired with feeling like a charlatan, I’ve decided its way past time to get serious about my passion for writing and it’s about time I do something to make the sentence “I am a writer” a truth instead of a wish.

If you can’t tell already, I’m an all-or-nothing kind of girl so if this seems like a crazy undertaking, I’m right there with you. Even as I’m writing this I’m shaking my head wondering what I’ve gotten myself into. Regardless of the outcome though, I’m looking forward to every day and the result at the end of each wild month.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy the unfurling masterpiece as much as I’ll enjoy the creative process.

13 Responses

on July 16, 2011 at 4:46 am | Reply happydancecat

Wow, that sure is one ambitious challenge you have set for yourself. I’m sure you are learning a lot about yourself, writing and life in general. I don’t know how on earth you can find the time – just writing two blog posts a week and doing a kind deed a day can be a stretch for me!

Good luck on your crazy adventure, I will definitely come back and take an in-depth look around soon. Write on!

Cat
- on July 16, 2011 at 11:48 am | Reply 12 Novels in 12 Months
  
  Hi Cat,
  
  Thanks for the message! I really admire your blog and your desire to make your life (and those around you) a bit happier and more fulfilled. I do my best but it’s certainly not of the 1-good-deed-a-day calibre.
  
  I’ve always loved writing so for me it’s a necessity. I’ve really neglected this pursuit in the past but would still come up with new ideas. So I decided to get them all done and out of my head- kind of like spring cleaning for my imagination. I started feeling very stifled and stagnant so this is the result! Some days are super hard (as evidenced by my word count) but I’m only human. I’d stretch time if I could but then I’d most likely just end up watching more t.v. or movies. Between the Irish lessons, dancing and writing, it can be tough but it’s helping me flex my little brain muscles and more importantly, keeping my imagination limber. This is time that I will never regret investing in something. I want to live my life to the fullest and for me that includes literary endeavours.
  
  I hope you continue your project and know that those little gestures probably mean a lot to the recipient. I know I really enjoy reading your blog- the posts are little rays of sunshine in the grey, overcast summer days here in Halifax!
  
  Sandra
on July 17, 2011 at 1:46 am | Reply happydancecat

I really admire your commitment and determination, Sandra! Even if you don’t always write as many words as you hope, you’re still making it a priority each day which is fantastic.

I love writing too – when growing up I wrote every day and was absolutely convinced I was going to be a writer, but then somehow reality crept in and now I hardly ever write (except blog entries). Maybe I should take a leaf out of your book and make it a priority to write even when I’m not feeling incredibly inspired.

Thanks for making me think! And for your kind words – we can never have too much sunshine! Whereabouts is Halifax?

Cat
- on July 18, 2011 at 8:53 pm | Reply 12 Novels in 12 Months
  
  hi Cat,
  
  Sorry, i forgot to answer your question. Halifax is in Nova Scotia, Canada. It’s actually a port of call city for cruise ships which is pretty awesome to see 🙂
  
  Sandra
on December 5, 2011 at 7:24 pm | Reply Jessica Walker

I love your blog. The flow of your writing is spectacular, it was a true pleasure to read. The creativity of your characters is so neat too! Looking forward to seeing where you will take this, thanks for sharing.
- on December 5, 2011 at 8:44 pm | Reply 12 Novels in 12 Months
  
  Thanks, Jess! It’s been an interesting experience, that’s for sure. I’m pretty confident you can tell when the creativity has come easily and when it’s had to be encouraged along. It makes my day to know that someone’s enjoyed reading what I’ve enjoyed writing!
  
  Keep checking in! I’m going to try to be better than I have been the past few months from now on 🙂
on January 6, 2012 at 9:54 pm | Reply sorealtonight

I will definitely have to look at what you have on your site here when I get a chance! Seems great from what I can see! Thanks for the follow! 🙂
- on January 6, 2012 at 10:13 pm | Reply 12 Novels in 12 Months
  
  Thanks! I always love coming across a previously undiscovered blogger here. I’m finally get back my momentum for this project- September to December were essentially write offs (no pun intended). I hope you enjoy whatever posts you happen to come across!
on January 10, 2012 at 8:25 pm | Reply aligeorge

Hm, this idea seems somehow familiar to me… 😉 Hope you manage to keep up the momentum from here on in! I will be cheering you on from the sidelines!
- on January 11, 2012 at 12:57 am | Reply 12 Novels in 12 Months
  
  Thanks! I really hope the 2nd half is more successful than the 1st was. I’ll look through your blog and see if I can find any sparkly hints 🙂
on March 10, 2012 at 11:30 pm | Reply maedez

Hi, Sandra! I hope you don’t mind but I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! http://onetrackmuse.com/2012/03/10/versatile-blogger-award/

🙂
Maedez
- on March 13, 2012 at 3:19 pm | Reply 12 Novels in 12 Months
  
  Thank you so much! This is what happens when I go MIA in WordPressland. I’m so honoured to have been nominated for this award. It made my day super SANtastic!
on July 1, 2012 at 1:43 am | Reply Rhian

I have just stumbled upon your blog Sandra, on what appears to be the final day of your challenge and perhaps the first day of your new journey? I think what you have set out for yourself and what you have achieved is amazing! Congratulations and good luck for the future.