Note: I was planning on writing something like this before James started posting his recent posts. I hope it encourages you in your writing!
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Fellow writers,
Ezra and I were reminiscing the other day about Apricotpie "way back when." We remembered thought-out essays, deep poetry, polished fiction, and often philosophical discussions on all of the above. It was a place where a lot of growing happened, through both agreement and critique. Most of those people have now moved on to families, jobs, publishing their writing, and other things, and many of us that are left are also busy with life. But Apricotpie and all it was to us is still very much a part of us (and I don't just say that because I have ap to thank for my husband).

I would love to see Apricotpie become like that again, for two reasons -

First, there's a new "generation" of young writers on ap, and we now older writers can be what James, Sarah Bethany, Ezra, Mary, and Heather were to Anna and I. This happens both by commenting and by putting forth writing that is something they can aspire to. And even though we were younger, that didn't stop Anna and I from leaving constructive criticism when we had it - this goes both ways!

Second, Apricotpie is public on the Internet. Folks, we represent homeschoolers to the Internet. People who may have poor opinions of schooling at home may find it and find their opinion either confirmed or changed by the kind of writing they find on here.
Michael Card, a musician, author, and theologian, wrote of dispelling opposition to homeschooling: "let the excellence of your work be your protest."
In an age where many look down on homeschooling, let's make a point to write well to be a proof of how homeschooling does work.
That's not to say we can't post works in progress! I don't mean that at all. None of us write perfectly. But be thoughtful in what you post. Remember our writing here allows us to be ambassadors for homeschooling.

Let's rebuild Apricotpie to be a place of polished, thought-provoking writing where we come alongside one another and help each other's writing get somewhere. This may mean the frequency of posting goes down, and that's perfectly fine!
I know I write this as one who has been somewhat absent of late, but I do hope to comment more and post twice a month instead if just once.

Protest with excellent writing that homeschooling is a good thing, and encourage those around you in the same thing!

Keep writing!
- Kyleigh