Update...

I'm excited to let you all know that I've decided to go for it and create my own blog. I've been working on developing a character whom I hope you'll all want to read about. She'll have her share of drama (of course), but she'll be smart (usually!) about how to handle all that crops up in her life. I don't want to tell you too much because I'd rather you form your own opinions of who she is based on my writing. So, I'll save the details about her for the first post, which will be this Friday.

I've been thinking about a posting schedule, and I keep coming back to the same thing. With the time constraints I have right now, it's only going to be possible for me to commit to one post every other week. I know, I know, it's not a lot, but I don't want to disappoint anyone by not updating when I say I will, so it's best I not promise more than I know I can handle right now. I will do my best to make the entries I do post worth your time.

I hope to see you on Friday!

Legal ramifications...

PamInNC (Thanks, Pam!) mentioned in the comments section that the last person who had tried writing her own version of a Redbook blog was given a cease and desist order, which was something I was already worried about as a possible outcome if I went ahead with more entries for DoE. I'd like to continue, but I'm concerned that Redbook/Hearst Women's Network would not appreciate my borrowing their "intellectual property" for my own use. Big companies tend to be sticklers about things like this.

I can also understand from Laura Dave's perspective that she would want control of her own characters and that she might not like my take on her story. (Laura Dave is the author of DoE, or at least she was when the diary started).

So, I'm thinking I may just ask Redbook if I can write this little blog with their blessing. (It would be great if they said yes because I've got about a million ideas on where E's story could go). My hope is that Redbook might consider my request since I am not seeking to gain anything financially from my writing using their characters.

I'm not overly optimistic, however. Hey, maybe I'll get lucky and they'll offer me a job! One can wish....

On a side note, because of all of your wonderful praise and encouragement, I am considering starting a blog of my own. I still haven't decided for sure if it's something I could commit to because my life is very busy right now (whose isn't, I know...), but it's definitely something I would enjoy doing. So, I will let you all know if/when I hear back from Redbook, and I'll keep you updated on whether or not I'll go ahead with a new blog.

And I want to say thanks so much for all of your compliments on my writing! I am seriously blown away with the positive response I've gotten from all of you, especially since I am so rusty at writing fiction these days. It put a smile on my face today knowing that what I'd written seems to have pleased so many of you. It really does mean a lot. Thanks again.