Jerusha Bosarge

I’ve got to be honest here. When Richelle suggested that we use personal reflections of 2008 as a theme for this quarter’s newsletter, I was not thrilled.

Don’t get me wrong. I agree that reflecting on the previous year is a good idea at the beginning of a new year. Only, not for me. Not this year. I simply didn’t want to face the truth.

In 2008, my writing was woefully unproductive. Even writing about it doesn’t make me feel better. I am ashamed, and rightfully so.

For me, 2008 was a year of missed opportunities and an overabundance of excuses. Good excuses, perhaps. But, excuses all the same. That’s the thing about excuses, you see. They are like stars: the instant one winks out of existence, a brighter and stronger one roars into life.

Last year, I led two girl scout troops, I was a homeroom mom, I had a new baby, I edited two quarterly newsletters, I kept my house relatively habitable for my four young children, but apart from the occasional note to a teacher, I did not write.

In fact, I actually flat-out ignored two (yes TWO) requests for manuscripts by an editor, and then an agent! What writer does that? It’s not like I have opportunities like that beating down my door! I know. You don’t have to say it. I am already ashamed.

Sometimes I forget that having had a few things published is not what makes me a writer. What makes one a writer is writing. And in 2008, I was not a writer.

But, that all ends today. Right now. With this article. I will not use my personal decisions as excuses any longer. Please look for the happy ending to this story in the Winter 2010 issue of The Scribbler...the section entitled “Reflections of 2009.”

Bring it on, Richelle!