My Writing Dream...

Origins Blogfest

I'm sure as writers, you have all gotten this question: when did you realize you wanted to write?

My answer is simple: I don't remember a time when I didn't like to write.  I mean, I didn't grow up thinking I could actually try it as a profession, but I still loved to make up stories in my head and occasionally write it all down on paper.

A couple months ago I found an old notebook from middle school with this huge science fiction plot written out.  I had character names, city names, names for currency, the year- it looked almost like some sort of sci-fi dystopian/fantasy.  I was pretty impressed, actually.  Nothing was ever written...but whatevs.  We won't focus on that part.

I think when I actually realized I might be able to do this for real was in college during my first creative writing class.  I didn't major in it (because it still didn't cross my mind that I could actually do this as a living) but I still loved taking any type of English class.  (and now I kick myself for not majoring in English.)

My professor had us all write short stories for the last major project.  I knew something was different when mine turned into a mini-novel of sorts.  Most of us read ours out loud in front of the class- but it took like, two or three class periods to get through mine when everyone else's took one.  But the cool thing is my classmates wanted me to read it!  They got so caught up in it, they were excited to come to class and listen to my story.  My professor was impressed with my world-building.  And then he told me I could definitely go somewhere with this.

That's when the lightbulb went off.  That's when I thought I might actually be able to write a whole book.

I didn't start actually writing my first book until quite a few years later after Little Monster was 3 or 4 and the Hubs practically forced me encouraged me to start, but it was always in the back of my mind after that class in college.  So even though I can't remember my professor's name (I know, shameful!) I still owe him a lot for encouraging me (and the Hubs for buying me my laptop so I had no more excuses NOT to write).

Now, whether or not I get published is one thing- it's more about the fun I have when writing. So even if it never happens, it'll still be fun to see what kind of worlds I can come up with and who I can make come to life on paper.  Besides, my mom and sis will always enjoy my books even if they don't get published.

Go check out some of the other participants in DL Hammon's Origins Blogfest! 

In Which I Gush Over You

I love you guys.  No, seriously, I do.  I started writing my novel over a year ago, but only just started blogging this past September.  I never thought blogging would be like this.  I never thought there would be such a tight community of writers, authors, aspiring authors, editors, illustrators etc. out there.  I thought, Oh we write our blogs, read others' and get info yadda yadda.  But what I didn't expect, was to actually make friends.  I have a connection with each and every one of you- I feel like I know you.  Not only do we exchange information, but we understand each other.  We know what we're going through and the support and love we get from each other is amazing! 

I love that my husband supports me, and I love that my family and friends are excited I'm actually writing a book.  But there's something different to be said about the people actually going through the same thing you are.  Those raw emotions we get when interacting with our characters, pulling our hair out together and jumping for joy together because we KNOW what it's like.  We're going through that too. 

In just 4 short months, I've made some friends I know I'll keep for a long time- best friends, even.  We pour our hearts out to each other 3 days a week (many of you 5 or 7!!), and we know we are there to lend an ear (okay, most of the time an eye), say something encouraging, a shoulder to cry on (again, mostly just an email), and never-ending enthusiasm for days. 

So, I want to say thanks to my family and friends who put up with my agonizing, whining and complaining, and a special thank you to my writing friends- all of you.  I honestly don't think I could do it without the support and encouragement from you all and the endless energy in which you approach writing and blogging.  You don't just put up with me- you are right there with me, experiencing the same things I am going through, feeling the same way I feel, and knowing we aren't alone in this crazy world of writing.

Here's to a new year of getting to know you more, and meeting new and interesting people (and writing of course!)!

Kicking my Crit Partner's Butt

One of my crit partners, Andy Thompson said I came to him in a dream the other night and literally beat him over the head with his future published book telling him to WRITE WRITE WRITE! (click on his name- he blogged about it!)  I told him it was my future self coming back from the future to tell him to write more.  I think Michael J Fox was with me too...in the DeLorean. 

Oh wait, wrong dream- okay here we go:

(I so hope he didn't picture me as one of the Sanderson sisters- doesn't his book look awesome though?)

I'm so glad I can have such an impact on my crit partners!  They love me so much that they dream about me beating them to a pulp with their future novels.  I feel so special.  No seriously, I do.  I can't really abuse them in real life, so coming to them in a dream is the next best thing (or from the future). 

I am so grateful I have my crit partners.  Andy and Colene are so encouraging and help me get through this crazy world of writing.  They each bring their own perspective and it's cool to see what they have to say about my work.  We can lament together about our anxieties about the publishing world, and we can relate and feel connected.  I can talk to Hubsies until he's blue in the face about my work and fears about being published, but it's different when you talk to someone going through the same thing.

And I know that they'd extend the same love and courtesy and beat me over the head with my future novel if I needed it.  And boy, do I need it sometimes.

And then, (because everything can be related to Back To The Future), I'll write a book about it, and it'll become a bestseller.