It’s been another year and I missed it–completely never even thought about it until Friday night when I was visiting another blog, reading a post about how that week was that blog’s two-year anniversary–still not thinking about it–and then at the end of the post, this question: how long have you been blogging?
and I thought well, how long?
I remembered celebrating one year. And then I thought, surely another year has not gone by already.
has it?
yes, it has. September 4th was two years. Wow. That was fast.
And it was a big year: I started back to school for my MFA in creative writing. I also started what is turning out to be another novel. I saw Jackson Browne, Carole King, and James Taylor in concert. September seemed to be all about Infinite Jest. January about reading like a writer. In the spring I was traveling and then recovering from traveling. May was all about Annie Dillard and The Maytrees. July I went back to camp, and August was the mini-David Jauss festival. Both my novels placed in the 2010 Faulkner-Wisdom Creative Writing Competition: my first novel, The Painting Story, on the Short List for Finalists, and my second novel, Between Here and Gone, as a Semi-Finalist. We’ve now had a whole year of the How We Spend Our Days series. Also, I updated the look of the blog and added new links and new pages.
So here’s the annual look back at the words, still hoping to see some sort of pattern emerging. I’ve linked to a few of my favorite posts, but if you see another one you’d like to explore, just pop the words into the search rectangle on the sidebar or go to the archives for that month, also on the sidebar. If you have a favorite post, I’d love to know which one it is.
A big thank you to all the readers out there. And a really big thank you to all those who posted the 1560 comments (double the number from the first year). You have made Catching Days better than it could have been on its own. As you read the words below, I wish for you, as always, fond memories and new discoveries…
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September 2009: A Day in the Life of Dani Shapiro-those were the days-wage peace-the splitting sound-from creede-finished-infinite autumn-the germ of everything-the library, and step on it-yellow letters from a shoebox on a rainy pm-the empty armchair
October 2009: A Day in the Life of Adam Braver-unfamiliar-wildlives-still playing with books-poemcrazy-to be read-12 keys to stronger writing from Annie Dillard via Alexander Chee-eucalyptus-a practice–i give
November 2009: A Day in the Life of Sheri Reynolds-the sweet in-between-waiting for me-snooping-what’s Jackson Browne got to do with it-writing retreat-a brief history of time-winter spring summer fall-abandoned things
December 2009: A Day in the Life of Elizabeth Benedict-books to trees-what have I done with my life-the signal-the ordinary day-it is all just shopping-send in the elves-Christmas magic-a new book bag-VCFA visuals: 1st 3 days
January 2010: A Day in the Life of Abigail Thomas-filled up & emptied out-an equal stillness-frozen-the first residency-reading like a writer: part 1-reading like a writer: part 2:taking it to a new level-reading like a writer: part 3: questions to ask-reading like a writer: part 4: reading a story-reading like a writer: part 5: taking a story apart
February 2010: A Day in the Life of Alexander Chee-over the weekend at sea island-devotion-lines connect in thin ways-from santa fe-from the jersey shore-not firmly based-not that i’m counting-hidden from view
March 2010: A Day in the Life of Miciah Bay Gault-rearrangement-let me in-the days cottages-reasons to live-i’m in italy-another last night in rome-madame this is not your day
April 2010: A Day in the Life of Robin Black-starting with the moment-no longer what I want-the conversation-evidence-iworld-four women and a sheep-the water is wide-what it is like-the birthday of an author-if I loved you
May 2010: A Day in the Life of Daniel Asa Rose-from their flat, yellowed pages-the maytrees-time to adapt again-the person underneath-so this morning-6 things I learned from Annie Dillard-structure echoes content
June 2010: A Day in the Life of Lucia Orth-framing the past-four poems-more of this world-rejoyce-the old swing set-day dreams-core-some saturday morning fun-mrs. somebody somebody-back in vermont again
July 2010: A Day in the Life of Tracy Winn-the second residency-places that call us back–hoping to discover–proof–writing my way there-my name is mary sutter-staying in the room-not searching for structure-i cannot get you close enough-a life in stories-odd disjointed pieces at strange times of the day
August 2010: A Day in the Life of Diane Lefer-because the detail is divine-you are not here-alone with all that could happen-crossing borders-out my window: 8/17/10-out my window: 8/18/10-toes-look again-catching lives-jane’s passions-Eudora Welty’s potato salad
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During the next twelve months, I hope even more of you will join the conversation. I’m looking forward to it!
Wow, you did your blog birthday proud, whereas I just served virtual cake. 🙂 The years do fly by, don’t they?
I totally missed your novels placing in competition this year. Did you blog about that? Congratulations! I hope one day soon to read one of your novels … and not get too envious of your talent. 🙂
Thanks, Linda. I actually did not blog about the novels placing in that competition. I think I was hoping one would win and I would get a trip to New Orleans for the Faulkner Festival. So at the time, I was a little on the disappointed side. But not any more. : )
I was at VCFA and overlapped with you. I can’t remember how I found your blog, but it’s wonderful! Cheers to another year of good writing 🙂
Hi Lynn! Yes, we were in the same workshop with Diane and Domenic. I went to your wonderful lecture on shapes in stories. Glad you found the blog and thanks for your comment. I hope you’ll be back.
Lynn gave one of the best lectures that I have the pleasure of listening to whenever I want.
All the best in your upcoming year. Three is the charm.
I agree about Lynn’s lecture, Jodi. And thanks for your good wishes.
Congratulations on two years! (I am also bad at remembering to celebrate my blog anniversaries). And even bigger congratulations on all the big accomplishments this year has brought you.
Thanks, Emily! Nice to see you here. I miss Evening All Afternoon. I’ll have to make time for it in the next few days.
*Cheers* and Congratulations. I love your blog. It has a very peaceful, literary feel, which is right up my alley. I look forward to the coming year at Catching Days.
Erika-sorry to be so long in responding. Thanks for your lovely comment.
What a beautiful run through your past year. Congrats on reaching your 2 year mark, and for all of the other landmarks met and gained.
PS: James Taylor in concert? I can only imagine the bliss…
Terresa-it was your 2 years that made me remember mine! Congrats to you too. Yes, James Taylor and Carole King together–the 70’s all over again…
Congratulations! I’ve enjoyed every author series. Robin Black may be my favorite because I read and reread her short stories. I love them that much. She is a great writer and a really nice person to boot. But I loved them all. And you, too. 🙂
Darrelyn, I have loved ALL your comments. Thanks for being such a loyal reader and commenter. I appreciate your contribution to Catching Days.
Happy anniversary- thanks for providing such an interesting space. I enjoy dropping by and catching your days.
Lovely comment, Susanna. Thank you.
Congratulations! I love coming to your blog. Just as your banner shows, it feels like a few moments at the beach when I’m reading your posts.
Thanks, Cristina! I appreciate it.
Happy Two! I’m coming up on 4 years of blogging in January. I can’t pick a favorite post among so many good ones, but I always enjoy visiting.
Thanks, Sarah. And happy almost four to you!
You’ve come so far, Cynthia. It truly is a lovely blog, worthy of its name.
Thanks, Lauren.