The Artist’s Road is nothing without its readers, who spark fascinating conversation in the comments and share posts with their friends. So with The Artist’s Road now an award-winning blog, you are the winners.
This morning the authoritative blog Write to Done named The Artist’s Road a Top 10 Blog for Writers for 2011-2012. Chief Editor Mary Jaksch certainly had her hands full, with more than 2,000 comments submitted in her call for nominations, and an impressive array of top 20 finalists.
I’ll confess to some surprise at winning the award. It is true that I am a writer, and that as many writers do, I write a lot about writing. We’re navel-gazers that way. But as readers know, the focus of this blog is broader than that. In one respect it chronicles my return to writing, but more broadly it chronicles the commitments and sacrifices involved in living an art-committed life. Thus the name The Artist’s Road, not The Writer’s Road.
This blog plays a critical role in helping me move forward now that I’ve found my way back onto that road. Each post is an announcement to the universe that I’m sticking with it, for a few more days at least. So you could say The Artist’s Road is, at its core, a phenomenally selfish indulgence on my part.
But I do enjoy sharing what I learn along the way. That could be wisdom from the many creatives I interviewed on my cross-country U.S. road trip, the experience that sparked the launch of this blog in the fall of 2010 and that helps explain the blog’s title. It could be insights from my instructors in my MFA in Creative Writing program, including the post about recommended reading this summer that was promoted on The Huffington Post. It could be sharing highlights from conferences I attend, such as the AWP, the Poynter Institute, or the Creativity in Business conference. Or it could be a moment of personal discovery, from organizing my thoughts to juggling work and family.
I will also confess to experiencing discouragement at times with this blog. It requires time. It requires creative energy. But that is true of any aspect of living an art-committed life. And so by continuing to honor my commitment to this blog and its readers, I can continue to commit to my artist’s road.
I leave in a few days for Montpelier, Vermont, for my next MFA residency. I can’t say how much I’ll be blogging between now and my return. But I promise you I’ll pass along whatever I learn to you, whether it is about writing, creativity, or simply being present. In the meantime, congratulations on your role in an award-winning blog!
The Artist's Road 
Congratulations! 🙂
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TY so much! We should connect in the New Year, methinks.
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Excellent news. I so glad you and your blogging have receive this top Internet honor.
And as a former dancer, I love your choice of title “The Artist’s Road.” I can’t seem to live without making art in one form or another. Some people must pray daily. Writing is my form of connection to LIFE, the unnameable source. Thanks for keeping this inspiring flame burning.
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Hi Deborah,
I just noticed the comment I thought I left isn’t here. I wanted to tell you how much I relate to the need to produce art in whatever form, and I loved this line: “Writing is my form of connection to LIFE, the unnameable source.” Fantastic!
Patrick
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Besides the fact that you write a great blog, what I appreciate about you is that you reach out to the writing and creative communities. You have created a nice community here and on Twitter as well. The award is well deserved. Now go revel in Christmas with your family and the joy of an MFA residency.
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Wow, Charlotte, that is a great compliment, thank you! I will indeed, without a new Crustacean Christmas decoration. A Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.
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Congratulations, Pat!
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TY Shakirah!
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Congratulations, Patrick! This is a well-deserved honor for you. May 2012 be even more fruitful and full of creative joy.
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TY Lisa, I’m an admirer of your blog, so that’s an extra-nice comment from you. And a creative and fruitful 2012 to you as well!
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Congratulations! Exciting and well-deserved. Merry Christmas!
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TY Jessica! Always happy to receive support from someone I consider a role model. Merry Christmas to you as well!
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Thanks Patrick. I am delighted you received this top award.
As a former dancer and longtime writer in secret, I love your insistence and understanding of the word “Artist.” Can’t go a day without laying down tracks on the path of creative expression.
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Thank you, Deborah. And I was a writer in secret for too many years. This blog has helped force me to own the identities of “artist” and “creative writer,” of which I view the latter as a subset.
And I love this: “Can’t go a day without laying down tracks on the path of creative expression.”
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Yay! Just like I knew I’d win that book, I knew you’d get this award. It was just obvious that this blog was something special! Love seeing your new badge on the sidebar.
Congratulations! You’ve gotten a lot of feedback this year telling you that you’re on the right road, huh?
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Hi Sue, I need to figure out how to make use of that sixth sense of yours! 🙂 Yes, the feedback I’ve gotten on this blog–correction, the community that I now consider myself a part of–has been very affirmative. This road wouldn’t have been the same without it.
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Like Sue said,it’s obvious that what you have started here at The Artist’s Road is special indeed, and I for one am so glad you persevered despite all the other demands you’ve had on your time. It seems inevitable that you/the blog should get this attention and bestowed this award.
Congratulations again. What a way to cap off an eventful year for you! I can hardly wait to see what 2012 has in store…:)
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Thank you, Carole Jane! To those reading those comments, Carole Jane was one of the four blog readers to nominate The Artist’s Road for this award. Your support has meant so much to me over the last year. I think 2012 will be great for both of us!
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Congratulations, Patrick! I learned about your blog from Write to Done and I’m slowly going through your blog posts. Looking forward to reading your thoughts on writing.
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Thank you! I’m glad you’ve found your way here, and I hope you find the blog of value.
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Oh, and I just read your post on talent vs. practice, a favorite subject of mine that I’ve spent a fair amount of time studying. I thought your post really nailed it, so I just tweeted it. Happy holidays and have a great 2012.
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Thanks for tweeting my post. Happy holidays!
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A very big, and much-deserved, congrats Patrick! And of course, Happy Holidays! What a great holiday gift this turned out to be. 🙂
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Thank you, Shari, and happy holidays to you as well! Yes, this was a nice Christmas surprise.
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Awesome job, Patrick! Well deserved. Your blog is a pleasure to read. 🙂
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Thank you, Amy! This gives me motivation to keep going with it; you know firsthand the challenges of maintaining a good blog. Hope you’re having a magical holidays!
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