Three Years of Blogging

Three years ago today, I put to computer my blog. I have been doing some recalculations about this whole writing process the last couple of weeks. As I wrote three years ago, this is a journey. I started reading a book on publishing(Book Publishing Instructions by Jeremy Myers) I downloaded for free a few months ago, last night. The mechanical, technical leg of this trip makes me sweat in fear. This e-book is so clear on the technical aspect of publishing and all the goals I started with are suggested in the book. I am encouraged again. I do love when my ideas are confirmed.
Writing conferences eluded me, as life commitments cloud the goal. I tried writing groups. The first one, the time and leader did not fit. The second, I pursued East Liverpool to find the CreateSpace authors. They invited me to their meetings and I enjoyed these gals immensely. Life threw the wrench again with new job and new schedule that I haven't been able to meet with them since late summer. The beginning of this month, a fledgling group opened wings here in the Shenango Valley, with my schedule in mind for the meetings. 
I self published a novel, Summer Triangle, the end of August, last year. Deep breath. Again, life drags me away from the marketing needed to promote novels locally. I signed with West Bow Press in January to publish Main Street, technical problems delaying the upload. All in God's time, I believe.
Today, I pause to celebrate a little, but I also am refreshed to continue the hard work of writing. I don't want to lose sight that I am a writer. Sometimes, I got bogged down with life issues. I resolve to keep the goal to glorify God in all I do. The following is my inaugural post. The sun decided to brightly shine as I typed that last sentence:

  I did it!  I'm starting a blog with my niece, Lori's, and my daughter, Katie's help!  A fun way to get together this afternoon.  They helped me set it up while we talked about girl stuff.  We decided on the name together.  "Musings" was wandering around in my brain, so we all thought Miss Mollie's Musings was a perfect name for a writer's blog.  I do muse a lot, too.
Sometimes, I amuse myself.  I hope to interest the reader with my postings.  I also want the discipline to write.   I have been pursuing in earnest  my dream to be a published writer for about 2 years, now.  I started writing and illustrating stories in third grade- the first one cleverly entitled "3 Dogs for Mollie"  Guess what I wanted for my birthday?  I finished a story last May.(Main Street)  I entered a contest for the Youngstown Vindicator this month.  Didn't win or place, but I had fun and I still think of Dave and Kelly.
I love words which is why it takes me so long to read a book.  I read each word and pay attention to the sentence.  But I'm also afraid as I have been out of school so long, I forget the grammar rules.  As I am a registered nurse for 32 years, if you count being a nurse's aid and nursing school, my writing suffered as charting must be concise and done in a hurry! Supervisors don't like overtime for flowery reports.  Yet, as we went to lap tops, with keyboard charting, my typing improved to the point where it is now hard to write long hand.  It is what I do every day. Writing on the computer helped with the spelling and grammar.
I enjoy telling stories, but writing is more difficult.  I want the stories of my ancestors to live on for my kids. The triumph of the human spirit with God's direction fascinates and inspires me.
I'm not sure which direction this blog will take me.  Life is a journey with joy in that journey.  I pray each day that I may have strength for that day and joy in the journey.  I hope you will join me in the journey of a middle age woman finding her dream.