I have written for pleasure for a number of years. For the last 5 years, as a member of the Writers Group of the Southern California Genealogical Society, I have written numerous memoir sketches, one of which was published in a small Society book for the pleasure of the authors.
I have recently branched out and pushed my creative writing to a new level with my newsletter articles for The LaCanada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association. The articles reach into literature, art, fashion, and my past to tie interesting experiences to the process of getting a "self-built" float onto Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, CA every January 1 for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. Each article pushes me a bit as I try to find new and interesting connections for both myself and the membership.
In November 2009, I completed the challenge of NaNoWriMo. It was my second attempt at the 50,000 word challenge -- in 2008, I barely made the halfway mark. Since completing the work, I have been dealing with the challenge of making the 51,000 plus words into something that is readable and entertaining. I am not sure which is harder -- writing 1667 words a day, or putting yourself in the mind of the reader to be sure what you have written is worth reading.
I look forward to completing that challenge, moving forward and perhaps getting published with the next two years.
My other writing projects include the publication for the Wiedenbeck Family Reunion in 2009, a work in progress on the Harter-Young Family, and our Wiedenbeck-Sameck Cookbook that was completed in 2004.
I write for myself, but recently realized that it was time to write for others as well.