I decided to crack open the first book I ever wrote the other day. I composed this contemporary romance back in 2009 after watching several seasons of Gossip Girl for the hundredth time. It was set on the Upper East Side/The Hamptons and revolved around fashion and romance. I was so excited to delve into high society like I was sitting on the MET steps with Blair and Serena, but was my story a work of art? The level of cringe that I felt reading it was indescribable! LOL :) The writing is awful and beyond basic, and I cannot wrap my brain around how I ever thought it was anywhere even in the realm of good. The upside of my trip to the past is the realization of how far I have come as a writer. My stories that I have been writing these days have so much more depth with complex characters and richer dialogue. I've moved away from realistic fiction into the world of fantasy that sets my soul alight. Ah, it feels good to grow! I...