How is it that this is the 93rd post to this blog in ninety-three days and I have yet to express my deep gratitude? Not only for those of you who have been interested from the beginning but also those of you visiting here for the very first time.

You are the reason for this blog. The words I put down here are for you. While I once told people that this blog is “just a warm-up” for my novel writing — truth be told, I thought that’s how I’d “use” it — this place has become something really neat for me personally.

I have come to appreciate knowing, from some of you, that you read this. It’s been fantastic to hear someone comment on the blog at the grocery store or at my yoga studio. (These are the only two places I spend any degree of time on a regular basis so it doesn’t come as a surprise to hear comments in those places, though the comments themselves always takes me by surprise.) It’s been a boost to get a Facebook message or email “just let you know how much I like reading your blog.”

In fact, it brings tears to my eyes.

So, thanks to you.

I have also found myself in a strange place between reality and a virtual existence with some people I’ve met through social media. Most are bloggers here on WordPress. We follow each other and, for no other reason than to feel happy for a total stranger, we give each other support and try to comment on each other’s “stuff.”

There’s Tina, whom I consider my blogging twin. She and I have lots of parallels in our lives. Our genres are not at all alike. She writes fantasy/speculative fiction. And, just the other day, she uploaded two of her stories to Amazon. Braver than I, you can find her thoughts about self-publishing and a link to her Amazon story here: Jenna’s Blogging Twin.

Then there’s Greg. I don’t know much about him, but I get the sense he’s cooler than most. (And not just because he resides in Canada.) He’s a graphic designer who sounds to me like an expert in this field. If you’re interested in seeing gorgeous work born of an idea in someone else’s head, go to Greg’s blog.

And then, last but not least, there’s Steve. I mentioned him before in this post. But he’s taken the online promotion to a whole new level of cool. You see, like me, he’s got this perennial optimism about the potential for meaningful connections online. He started a tumblr blog. He’s dedicated himself to interviewing one hundred people whom he’s found both online and of interest.

I managed to make the cut. I’m #9 of 100. Just yesterday, he posted my “interview.” While it’s fun to have my words show up in places not of my own making, it is especially mind-blowing to see how someone — a near total, virtual stranger — assesses me. As of the day Steve posted his prelude of thoughts to my actual interview, we’d only been “connected” for twenty-three days.

And yet, I feel thankful to him for both his kind words about me on his tumblr blog and the camaraderie I feel in knowing there’s another author out there trying to both get himself known and help others to find an audience.

So, thanks for reading my words. If you’ve got a little extra time today — or later this week — I encourage you to click through to those links I inserted above. Feel free to comment on their blogs. Authors love to hear from their audience even if they are strangers in this virtual word of social media.