In September 2002, my son said these magic words “you should start a blog. I’ll set it up for you.” When I say “magic” I’m not exaggerating. I was a writer before 2002. I had even published a handful of poetry, short stories and book reviews in small literary magazines. But I was a novelist at heart, and that part of my writing career was going exactly nowhere.
Then came the blog. From the first day, I felt published in a way that was different. I wasn’t a published novelist yet, but I felt so close to that reality. It felt right around the corner. And blogging daily about my writing journey, about the novel I was working on at the moment and my attempts to find an agent or a publisher, kept that feeling front and center. I knew it would happen.
Lots of good things began happening almost immediately. I got a staff position at a prominent book review magazine, then another even better paying one. I wrote features too for print magazines and got paid. I blogged for free because I loved it, but being paid for my words in national print media validated me in a rock solid way. It was all part of a learning curve that would take me to the ultimate destination. I got the agent. I got the publishing contract. Along the way I blogged about it all.
Now as my 10th book is about to be published later this year, I know I owe it all to those fateful words my son spoke to me that long ago day. Blogging kept my eye on the prize and gave me the feeling of already being there. I can only look back with gratitude and thanks. As a thank you to my readers, I offer this special gift to one commenter.
I usually give away books on my blog anniversary, but this year I decided to go outside the box (which is where this cuff bracelet belongs, on your arm or the arm of your best girl). And you can still get free books because this magical year 13 is seeing a new milestone: AmazonEncore is re-releasing my Kindle bestseller Blue Heaven on September 15, next Tuesday!
To celebrate, I’ve joined a Facebook launch party with other AmazonEncore authors. All you have to do to win one of my books is show up between 6-6:30 pm Eastern Standard Time, when I will be hosting my half hour with chat and prizes. In my half hour I’ll be giving away several copies of the newly re-released Blue Heaven to commenters on the Encore Party Facebook Page which can be found here:
Link to event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1466958803630646/
I really hope to see you there or in the comments below so I can share some of this Magical 13th Anniversary deliciousness with you.
cynthiaharrison.com 
Great blog as always and a great reminder to me to get my blog out this afternoon! So glad your 20th book is nearly out there go Cynthia!!!!
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Thank you Jackie! Well if you could print and e-books it might be almost 20…and those out-of-print limited editions:)
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I saw the photo of this bracelet on Twitter and had to hop over hear for a closer look! It’s simply stunning! What a generous gift.
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Thanks Linda, glad it caught your eye on Twitter. Half the time the Twitter feed goes so fast I don’t even see my own posts!
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You’re in my list of Michigan writers, so I always see what you’re up to!!
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Fantastic, what a gift that son is. Congratulations, Cynthia.
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Alice, he really is. He took care of my website for ten years, until he had a son of his own:)) Then I let him off the hook.
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You are fantastic!
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Lovely to read about your great success, Cynthia – I’ll try and pop over to the FB party!
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Thank you Rose, that would be lovely!
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In the beginning I never thought I would be any good at blogging. For a start it wasn’t quite as easy as they said it would be, and secondly, it took up valuable time better spent writing. How quickly it has become a way of life, and one I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.
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Anita ~ and ~ Jaye, I never stick to anything unless I really enjoy doing it…well except absolutely essential housework…there’s just something about blogging that I love too:)
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Congratulations on #20, Cindy, and on the Re-Release of Blue Heaven!
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Thanks Linda:)
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You were one of my first blogging buddies, Cindy. I had no idea where it would lead when I started blogging in March 2008. Luckily I have a few of the online friends I made at the start, and I’m grateful to count you among them. I still read your posts with anticipation ~ I’m never sure what your next accomplishment will be. Congratulations on all your success, Cindy. I know there are many stories still to be written.
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Ah yes Sharon who can forget 50-Something? Meeting you was the one good thing that came out of blogging for that site, well, besides blogging itself:) Thanks for your kind words re: my posts. I feel the same about yours!
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Well, I was waiting for “lucky 13” as long as it wasn’t one of my replies, in which case I will send the bracelet to the person who I am replying to. I see there are 15 comments now and number 13 is one of my replies, and the person I am replying to is LINDA from The Write Concept.
Thanks everyone for your comments and Linda, congrats, you get the bracelet:)
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