I started blogging on a whim – just to get in the practice of writing on a regular basis, and getting used to having other people read my words! It turned out to be one of the best decisions I could have made – and finally, after nearly a year, I’m starting to feel confident enough to begin sharing my writing with friends and family members as well. I’m also breaking out of the box that I put myself in when I first started this blog. Initially I was constrained by the idea of having a specific purpose or direction – so I focused a lot more on what I felt like I “should” be writing, and put pressure on myself to make sure I posted every day.
These days, I’m much more lenient, and I certainly don’t manage to make a post a day. I’m going back to my old self and I’m just honored to take those of you who want to join in, along for the ride.
So yes, this site is dedicated to all things that make me happy! And it’s still true that if you stick around long enough, you might catch a few rants as well – and of course I won’t forget to update you on the latest books in the works, what I’ve been reading, watching, listening to, and loving at the moment…But more than that I think you’ll find that where my passion truly lies is writing about people, and the many ways that life and its experiences connects us all. My goal is to become the best person I can be, my hope is that I can inspire a few others to do the same along the way.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy!
For more information about Andrea Kelly, click here to visit the “About the Author” page in the Press Box.
New here? Check out these posts to get acquainted!
Freshly Pressed – “Burning Bridges”
“What if This is as Good As it Gets?”
“Why I Don’t Have a Boyfriend” – Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3, Pt. 4, Pt. 5
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Want more of The Hand-Written Life? Like Andrea Smyth at The Hand-Written Life on Facebook, or follow Andrea on Twitter!
The Hand-Written Life 
Thanks for the follow on my site, Andrea. I will have to check out The Adventures of Baseball and Zooey! Sounds great!
Thank you! I’m having a lot of fun with it :) And I am really loving you and your daughter’s reviews!
Thank you so much for following my blog judysp.wordpress.com I appreciate your support. You sound very busy with your writing and your designing. Happy Blogging cheers Judy :)
Thank you for the follow as well! I love your inspirational posts :)
Thanks for visiting – I look forward to reading more of your thoughts and I love a good mystery, keep us posted when your book is released-what a great accomplishment. Blessings, Patty
Thank you so much Patty! I have enjoyed your site as well :) I will definitely keep everyone updated, it has been a fun process!
Hi. My name is Nicole, aka Ariesgrl, and I just found your blog. I wanted to say good luck with your writing career. Just to let you know, I have a book review blog, and if you would like for your books to be reviewed on my blog, just let me know. Have a wonderful day! ~Ariesgrl
Hi Nicole!
Thanks for stopping by, and for the words of encouragement :) I have checked out your blog (you have some great posts), and am definitely be interested in getting my work out there to be reviewed! At the moment I’m kind of scattered, trying to get everything together for the release of my 2nd children’s book, but I do have several copies of my work available for review. If you’d like, feel free to send me your email address at aktheauthor@gmail.com, and I’ll be sure to get a hold of you when things settle down and see if we can work something out!
– Andrea
Hi Andrea,
Thank you for checking out my blog. Good luck with the book release. I sent you an email earlier tonight. Have a great night!
~Ariesgrl
Thank you for following my blog.
Thank you for following my blog. Much appreciated.
You have some great posts!! Thank you for the comment :)
Hi, so I’ve nominated you for The Liebster award, because I think your blog is awesome! :)
http://wantoncreation.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/the-liebster-award/
Thank you so much for the nomination! It means a lot coming from another blogger who’s posts I enjoy so much :)
Hi Andrea, Nice meeting you here on wordpress. I too have written for children (short stories) which I have yet to publish. If I can’t find an agent soon, I will be self publishing. I am interested in reading some of your stuff.
Hello Carolyn, Congratulations on your writing, and I wish you luck finding an agent! Although I’m still somewhat of an amateur/self-published, feel free to email me at aktheauthor [at] gmail [dot] com – us authors gotta stick together :)
Hi, I nominated you for an award!
http://ariesgrlreview.com/2012/09/09/one-lovely-blog-award/
:D Thank you!!
You are very welcome! :)
Hey Andrea,
I have nominated you for the Liebster Blogger Award. Additional information can be found at this link: http://justonemonkeytyping.wordpress.com/2012/09/19/liebster-award-yeaow/
Have a great day! :)
Thank you so much for the nomination!!
Thank you so much!! :)
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I just nominated your beautiful blog for The One Lovely Blog Award. You can go here to find out more about it. http://experiencingmyownlife.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/one-lovely-blog-award-nomination/
Best wishes to you!
Thank you so much!!
Hey you have got a really nice blog out here. Am glad I stopped by :)
Thank you so much! I’m glad you did too :)
Congratulations on being FP’d and what led me to your blog. I devoured it immediately, and do apologize for ‘stalking’ and liking a lot of your posts. You are an inspiring, insightful and beautiful writer! Thank you :)
Thank you so much – you’re too kind!! Feel free to “like” and “stalk” the site all you want – I look forward to seeing you around! :)
Your blog has been nominated for the Super Sweet Award. Please go to: http://wp.me/p24Y2y-52 .
If you’ve already received this award or don’t accept awards, there’s no need to do anything further. I just wanted you to know that I find your blog very enjoyable.
Thank you so much for your nomination and kind words! So glad you stopped by and enjoyed :)
Hello, I’ve tagged you in the Look Challenge, a fun and quick little game for writers:
http://wantoncreation.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/oh-look-its-the-look-challenge-featuring-extracts-from-last-years-nanowrimo/
Yay! Thank you! This looks like a lot of fun, I’ll try to get around to it for Monday’s post :)
There is nothing else to say, other than I love you! I have nominated you for the Inspiring Blog Award. Follows as set forth in the following post. http://dearmsmigraine.com/2012/10/31/inspiring-blog-award/
Aw, thank you so much Lori! I just love you too :) Sorry it took me so long to respond – been feeling a little low these days. But I super appreciate the nomination!!
Hey there! Just popping by to say that I’ve nominated you in my Blog Of The Year awards, as your blog has been one of the few that has really inspired me this year! :)
http://wantoncreation.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/blog-of-the-year-award-2012/
Ack, I know I posted a thank you on your blog, but I meant to do one here as well! Thank you so much for the honor :) It means a lot!!
Hello there!
I just wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for the Liebster blogger award! The nomination can be found here:
http://justonemonkeytyping.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/liebster-award-x2/
Congratulations and have a lovely day! :)
Thank you for the Blog of the Year Award nomination. And since I can, I have nominated you again. http://dearmsmigraine.com/2013/04/07/blog-of-the-year-award-2012/ Congratulations!
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Hi Andrea — I’ve been rambling through the blogosphere this year on a quest to discover a positive blog every day, and your site “dedicated to all things that make me happy” is a good find! I’ve added it to a list I’m keeping on my own blog. :)
This is really lovely! I look forward to reading more.
Soph x
Thank you so much!
In fact, my blog has actually just recently moved (as of this month!) to a new site – I hope you’ll join me at the new location!
http://www.thehwl.com
I’m on it! x