Wednesday, January 18, 2012

It's Been One Year...

...since the first post went up here on Flash Fiction. Since then I've won a contest, had several works published in newspapers, magazines and anthologies, and even published a very short collection of flash fiction. I won't get into numbers - I don't care very much for that aspect, it's too easy to give them more weight than they deserve sometimes - but I'm happy with them.

I started this blog for two reasons:  to "shop" some experimental work/get feedback, and to figure out this newfangled thing called "blogging".  Before I started this blog, I was barely online. I knew absolutely nothing about how to form links, post pictures, manipulate templates, install widgets, or myriad other computer thingies.

So now I can do some of that :-)  Writing here at Flash Fiction has gained me quite a bit of knowledge and, more importantly, some wonderful and supportive friends. There's no way that I could name them all, but I will say this;  the majority of my followers and I keep in touch( even if there are some long periods of time in between...life happens) and I love that. I consider myself lucky to have fallen into a great community. Much of that is due to the A to Z Challenge which really kickstarted my blog and introduced me to aforesaid great people.

I've also learned a heck of a lot about the mechanics of writing, both by reading other authors and by exchanging emails and opinions with some of you.  I hope I never get to the point where I think I know everything there is to know about writing. That would be death.

I wish to remain true to my original concept:  a blog devoted primarily to brand new flash fiction, created for the enjoyment of readers. No strings, no giveaways, no contests, no requests. Just read, enjoy, and maybe even leave a comment.

On occasion, I post poetry, photos that I think might be of interest, an occasional personal post (fun subjects like my first MRI and having a broken tooth yanked) and those pesky promo posts telling you that I had something published.

Oh, and once in a while I might flog a blogfest like the A to Z Challenge or the REN3 Blogfest/Writing Project or feature authors and interviews but hey, you can put up with that once in a while, can't you?

And so here's to another year of blogging, writing, tweeting and festing, good friends, good writing and good cheer.

I'm adding this last minute:  I had a piece published in Issue 4 of  5 x 5 Fiction. (Tell a story in 5 sentences, each containing 5 words.)  Yay!


Last,

Thank you for reading! Without readers, there would be no use for writers.











34 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your first anniversary - here's to many more good blogging years (raises imaginary glass)
    Janice

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    1. It's early, so it'll have to be orange juice for now - thank you :-)

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    2. Or water, if you're not into acidic stuff early in the morning :)

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  2. Congrats on the first birthday...and hope you enjoy a successful journey in writing and blogging this year too. :)

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    1. Thanks Rek - I remember when I started thinking "oh man, this is gonna be a flop." Fortunately that doesn't seem to be the case, at least not yet :-) Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Congratulations on one year and the new piece accepted at 5x5 Fiction! The A to Z Challenge kick started my blog two years ago, which is why I'm a firm believer in the benefits.

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    1. Thanks Alex :-) The A to Z has been good to many of us.

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  4. Congrats on your one year blogaversary and your accepted piece at 5x5 fiction - that's awesome! Looking forward to reading more.

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  5. Thank you Stu :-) As you know, I enjoy your stories at Talespinning as well!

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  6. Thank you Ty :-) Nice to meet you, and welcome aboard!

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  7. Happy Anniversary to your blog and you!! I read your 5x5 and as you know by now, I love every bit of writing that you do. Even when it's just a quickie post with a few pics. You're brilliant and clever and I am always stunned (in a marvelous way) by your way with words. You've learned to tame them and I admire and envy you, all at the same time. :) So happy that our bloggy paths crossed. It's been great getting to know you over this past year. I look forward always to reading your stories.
    Happiest day to you!!

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    1. Thank you Heather (blush). I've enjoyed getting to know you and following you...looking forward to the new year and getting to know you even better!

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  8. Congratulations on all the success. Wow, five sentences, five words each. I couldn't do that. :)

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    1. Bet you could :-) It's been great getting to know you, and I've gotten quite a bit of info - and some excellent recommendations on books and authors - through your blog.Thanks for stopping by :-)

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    2. That is so sweet. Thank you so much. I look forward to hanging out a lot more over the next year. :)

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  9. Hi Lisa, congrats! on the one-year milestone and the awards and everything else. Amazing what one can do in a year. Here's to this year growing exponentially and better things to come. And thanks for downloading OPENING ... enjoy!

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  10. Oh, and you may want to move your JOIN THIS SITE toward the top so more people can see it and join.

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  11. Happy Anniversary! You've certainly moved forward nicely. Here's to another progressive year;)

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    1. Hi Leah! Thank you...and yes, here's to a happy and productive coming year for us both!

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  12. Hi Li. I particularly enjoyed this post. I didn't realize it has only been a year as you seem so at ease in your writing and your navigation in the Twittersphere. I'm struggling with putting together my own blog, so your description of how you knew little about widgets, etc. is helpful. I'll figure it out. Also read your 5x5. Nice. Conveyed quite a bit in those five lines: desperation, sadness, sinister. Thanks for the post.

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    1. Hi Steph! I'm glad we're getting to know each other, and please let me know via Twitter or here when your blog is up and running :-)

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  13. Congratulations on your anniversary, Li. Gladdened that you're happy with your accomplishments and numbers, and wish you the best in the future of your production.

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    1. Thank you John :-) I enjoy your writing so much, always fresh and often funny :-)

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  14. Happy Blogoversary Lisa!
    I'm surprised that it's only been one year since you posted your first piece of flash fic... you come across as a seasoned blogger/writer!
    Here's to many more years in the blogosphere! *toasts*
    Oh, and my first blogoversary is also next week...

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    1. Hi MISH! Thank you, and congrats on your 'versary too! I don't know about seasoned, but I've certainly learned a lot (sometimes the hard way) over the past year. then again, it's the lessons that make you sweat that often stick with you!

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  15. Happy Blogaversary! Congrats on getting accepted to 5x5. You've had an awesome year.

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    1. Thanks Mary, and also for the shout out on your blog. I've learned a great deal about astronomy and space from you!

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  16. Congrations on the milestone! I always enjoy coming in here, mainly because I find a quality, original read. I'm afraid I find Meme's and promo's turn me off, I prefer to read posts written by folk who actually have something fresh and creative in them - something you always guarentee.

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  17. Thank you Shrinky :-) I try and get at least 1 post up per week which is either fiction, poetry or somewhat interesting non-fiction. I've been a little short the last few weeks, with the holidays and then publication of a book, but I aim to get back to work next week. April brings the A to Z challenge with (hopefully) 26 brand new pieces!

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  18. Congratulations on your 1 year! That is some achievement, and you've certainly got a lot done this year... I've just cracked open my £25 Amazon voucher to buy your book - very excited to take a read - promise I'll leave you a review once I'm done. And I love reading your blog- just as it is!

    Happy blogaversary
    Laura x

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  19. Happy blogiversary, Lisa! Hope it keeps rolling along for many more.

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  20. Happy anniversary on the one-year mark! And for all your achievements as well. Impressive!

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