I just received an email from my father, which is an unusual thing since we see one another every other week these days. Most of the time we hold our news and philosophical conversations for the times we're in company with each other. But my father was reading my short story again, and he felt the need to tell me how much he still enjoyed it. And how proud he was of me.

That, in itself, is quite wonderful. But it's also one of several experiences lately that seem to be pointing me back to my writing. I'm not really someone who believes in signs, but perhaps because my own thoughts have been with the idea of writing---with purpose!---again, these little nudges from friends and family and (fanfiction) fans have become very dear to me.

The thought of delving into my fantasy worlds and my characters in all their complexities is very intimidating now that I've spent so many years away from them. I almost feel as though I need to take a vacation from real life to reacquaint myself with them. And perhaps I will, in the end, do exactly that, but these words of encouragement that I've been receiving are definitely helping me to believe in the worth of all that work. It comes down to me, of course, and whether I will write for myself, but knowing others welcome the end result lends me energy when my own falters.