Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Let The Terrible Two's Commence

No fooling, today marks my 2nd anniversary as a blogger.

Some of you have been reading my diatribes since that first month, and some of you are new. Some of you comment on nearly every post, and some of you lurk in the shadows only coming out to play once in a while. Regardless, I appreciate you all.

A lot has happened in these last two years. At the time I started this blog I thought I was on the verger of signing with an agent. She'd called me twice to discuss my women's fiction novel, A River Without Water and she even told me I needed to start thinking about developing a web presence.

Her third call was to let me know she would not be offering representation. Getting so close only to fail hit me harder than even I realized then. I think that is what pushed me to turn away from women's fiction and begin writing more humor.

Plundered Booty was born and all of you regular reader know that is the novel I am still trying to find a home for. Two years ago I never thought that I'd still be an unagented, unpublished novelists, and yet here I am. Thankfully y'all are kind enough to join me on the ride.

There have been successes these past year as well. Three or four short stories have seen the light as day as well as my piece in the byline calender. I have news of another short story which I hope to share sometime soon. Plundered Booty has not been forced to walk the plank in the Amazon Novel contest thus far, and writing this blog has helped me to hone my voice and style. I truly believe I am a better writer because of this blog and I thank y'all for the comments and encouragement to keep after it.

And of course, I want to once again thank all of you for seeing my family and I through our difficulties at the beginning of the year. The well-wishes, the Hot Wheels, the books, the habitat website, and the loving support. Some I know expressed shock that strangers from all over the globe would come to the aid of someone they knew via nothing more than written words on the computer screen.The thing those shocked people do not understand is that strangers we are not. Least not in my book. By my way of thinking we are friends and I am proud to call each of you such.

And while I enjoy a good joke as much as anyone, this April Fools Day, I am as serious can be when I say,

Thanks for Two Great Years.

39 comments:

Beth said...

Happy Anniversary - and thank you for sharing your journey with us.

Akum said...

Happy Anniversary.. All the best!

Charles Gramlich said...

I know the feeling with the agent thing. It's happened to me as well and sure took some wind out of my sails.

Congrats on two years here, and on your short story successes.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Well develop a web presence you've done! You're doing great, Travis. Keep it up. Happy Day!

Melissa Amateis said...

Happy Anniversary, Travis! I've enjoyed your blog immensely and I wish you nothing but continued success.

Stephen Parrish said...

Thank YOU for two great years, Travis. You're one of the most entertaining writers in Blogtopia.

Oh, and I think A River Without Water is a kick-ass title.

Kristen Painter said...

Happy Anniversary! May this be your year.

Chris Eldin said...

Happy Blogiversary, Travis!

Good things are in store for you. You will have to work harder than most, but keep going. The things you are doing will put you on the path to publication of your novels.

Crystal Phares said...

Happy Anniversary Travis! I hope only good things come your way this year, you deserve it!

Patti said...

i love that april fool's is your anniversary. glad to count you as a friend, friend. and sorry about the gotcha.

D.A. Riser said...

I just celebrated 3 months, and it has provided me with a new appreciation of bloggers. Congratz on making it 2 years.

Reb said...

Happy Blogiversary! I feel something will happen for you this year.

Monnik said...

Aw. Happy Bloggoversary. I'm very glad you are sharing your journey with us all. Reading your posts is a fun part of my day!

March2theSea said...

cheers and ice cold beers to 2 years!

March2theSea said...

cheers and ice cold beers to 2 years!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the blogaversary! You crack me up on a regular basis, you have definitely developed an entertaining voice. And I agree with you on how blogging helps mold your style. It has me too. I enjoy it. And I enjoy your random musings!

yellowdoggranny said...

congratulations ..I've been doing this for 5 years and glad of all the friends I have made in this time...

pita-woman said...

Congrats!
It is amazing the friends we meet/make from all over, they teach us much!

KrisMrsBBradley said...

Happy Blogaversary! May the coming year bring you success and happiness on the interwebs and in your life.

Anndi said...

Congrats on the anniversary!!!

That's right, I de-lurked :)

preTzel said...

Happy Blogiversary Travis! I loves ya bunches you big, hairy Texan. *smooch*

Lynnette Labelle said...

Happy Anniversary. What a great day for me to come across your blog. Sorry to hear about your agent troubles. Hopefully, you'll find a home for both your babies soon.

Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Happy Anniversary! I am glad to have found you. You WILL get exactly what you need at the right time, you found that out recently.

You and your family have been an inspiration to me. Just to watch how you have triumphed and maintained your sense of humor is awe-inspiring.

You're right.. people who do not interact social via the web have NO idea what they are missing.

Keep up the wonderful work and don't forget about us when you become rich and famous!

Vodka Mom said...

Happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happy anniversary, HHAAAAAAAppy anniversary.


whew.

Spy Scribbler said...

Awww, Happy Blogiversary! I've met some of my best friends online, including my husband.

I hope you get an agent soon, Travis. You deserve it!

the walking man said...

No thank you Travis for two years of some of the most humorous writing I get to read. Two more then fifty more after that...

Aaron said...

You're welcome. :P

B.E. Sanderson said...

Congratulations on two years. Although I'm one of those that don't comment very often, I do stop by almost every morning. I've enjoyed reading your posts, seeing your progress, and learning about you. Thanks for blogging. =o)

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary, Travis, I am proud of you! This blog is great.

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Junosmom said...

Hey, Travis, back at you! (And I'm still waiting for the rest of the novel!)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Congrats on two years Travis! I didn't realize the ordeal you'd gone through with the agent. That's rough.

Good luck to you in the next year!

Terrie Farley Moran said...

Travis,

This is a great blog and I've met a lot of wonderful people here, including you, your wife and kids.

Happy Anniversary!

Terrie

Annie said...

You make the web more readable. You make us laugh. You cause us to reconsider our dreams. You reminded us of our humanity.

Thanks Travis and Happy Anniversary

Lana Gramlich said...

Happy blogiversary & many, MANY more!

Anonymous said...

how come its mostly WOMEN that have commented?????

Unknown said...

Don't feel bad about two years without an agent. I have three novels written, and podcasted them to an audience of about 10,000 listeners. I got an agent in two years into it only to have her retire before getting my stuff sold. Now, nearly four years on I finally got an agent who is carrying it forward, but still haven't sold a thing.

Keep it up. Who Dares, Wins.

Bubblewench said...

Really? I've been reading you for 2 years? Yeah, I guess that makes sense.

Happy Anniverary! Here's to the past 2 and the future 100!

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your Byline page this month. Thanks! I'll check back once in a while.