Joining the Conversation

Five years ago, I embarked on two journeys. The first began one Saturday morning as I sat on a hard plastic chair watching my sons’ karate classes. The second began in the meeting room of our local Barnes & Noble as I watched writers share first paragraphs they’d written from a prompt on Editor Cheryl Klein’s blog.   

Two very different situations. Two very different worlds. Yet both journeys began with the same first step: a decision.

On both days I decided to stop being a spectator and step on the field, or as was the case with karate, the mat.

That Saturday morning in 2008 I enrolled as a student of Isshin-ryu karate.  A week later I wrote six lines of what would evolve into my first young adult novel.

It has been five years since I began my journeys in writing and karate.  During that time, I have written two and a half young adult novels and have yet to return to the hard plastic observer chairs of my dojo.

At times both journeys have been daunting, frustrating, and painful (especially the time I hit myself in the face with my own bo staff). But more often than not, karate and writing have brought me rewards I never anticipated: friendships, confidence, balance, perspective, and patience. (Ok, to be honest, that last one I’m still working on, but my husband swears he’s seen growth, so it’s staying on the list.)

Today I begin a new journey: blogging. I’m a long time lurker of many amazing writing blogs. I’ve considered creating a blog in the past, but always managed to talk myself out of it. However following an inspiring writing workshop last weekend in Baldwinsville NY, I’ve decided to stop being a spectator and join the conversation.

Most weeks I will post about the ups and downs of my writing journey.  However, as my karate and writing paths have intersected on more than one occasion over the last five years, don’t be surprised to see the random karate rambling. And in the spirit of full disclosure, I am a Disneyholic, so there may be a sprinkling of pixie dust throughout my postings.

So, welcome to my Writer’s Dojo blog! Please feel free to pull up a hard plastic chair, or if you feel comfortable, join in the conversation.

Kindly,
Keely