As the year draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the progress of my life as a freelance copywriter. I started the business in August and this blog in September.

My goal all along in starting the blog was to give others a chronicle of one woman’s attempt to start her own writing business. I fluctuate among posts about the business of writing, the challenges of working at home, the joys of procrastination, the best and worst tools for writers or small businesses, the pleasure of empty bank accounts and the ups and downs of just being human.

I love the community of readers. A couple of times a week I get emails from aspiring copywriters who want to know about tools I’ve referenced or marketing techniques I’ve tried. I get a lot of encouragement from fellow writers, talented artists, friends and family. My clients sometimes catch me off guard with a reference to my blog, “Hey, Beth… Sorry you’ve been sick. I saw it on your blog.” Or, “Beth, you can go ahead and invoice us, but don’t go get that steak dinner yet!”

Two ex-boyfriends follow my blog, I think (we don’t talk much anymore, of course). And my new… err… ok, I’ll say it… boyfriend…is a devoted follower (and deliverer of cupcakes when needed). My neighbors read my blog. I’ve got a friend who teaches, and she uses some of my material in her classes. Another friend is thinking of starting his own consulting business, and he is carefully charting what not to do.

My sister, Sarah, follows my blog, as does my almost sister, Ingrid (otherwise known as Ingrid in England on the blogroll). My mom sometimes reads posts, and the other day she said, “Beth, I don’t know how to tell you this, but the other day I was reading and I saw a typo. I have no idea where.”

Pop, Mom, Sarah and Ingrid[Pictures, from left to right: Ingrid (reads), Mom (sometimes reads) and Sarah (reads), Pop (rarely reads -- plays Freecell and follows Dilbert)].

In a couple of days I’m meeting two fellow bloggers for dinner here in the Denver area. They’ve become wonderful, supportive friends. And one blogger introduced me to her company, for whom I now work.

So I guess I’ve got a great community of readers, a nice group of friends and the support of a whole host of future writers. That’s a nice Christmas present.