How My Writing Journey Began

I couldn't have a month's discussion of beginnings without sharing the start of my writing journey. It's not unique or special; in fact, many of you probably had a similar experience.

As a child, I'd created a series of books, and I'd even written my own magazine, but they were products of downtime living in the country. It never occurred to me that I could write as a career. So one day in my twentieth year, I finished reading a disappointing romance novel and chucked it across the room with one thought, I could write a book better than that.

Original, I know! I grabbed a notebook and pen and quickly wrote a whirlwind, conflict-free courtship. The pair had met, dated, and fallen in love in--all in two dozen pages, too short to be a book. How did authors take an idea and make it into a full length novel?

College and work took all of my spare time, but the question ruminated in my brain. A few years passed with no further writing on my part. Then I got married, graduated from college, moved to a new city, and found myself with free time again. I came across a book at the local bookstore called How to Write a Romance and Get it Published by Kathryn Falk. I couldn't believe my luck. Someone had actually written a book that answered questions about my dream! Stifling the urge to hyperventilate, I quickly plunked down ten bucks and rushed home to read it.

The book planted all the seeds necessary to nurture my earlier desire into a full-blown dream. However, other events (okay, I had a few kids) in my life made me sit down and make some tough decisions. My personality verges toward all or nothing. Some women certainly can have it all, but I'm more of the I-can-have-it-all-just-not-at-the-same-time type of gal. So I deferred pursuing my publishing dreams.

While my children grew, I used the time to read. I joined a local writing group. And I wrote down every idea for a book that occurred to me. Once my youngest started Kindergarten full time, I rolled up my sleeves, sat at the computer, and my journey to becoming a published author began.

It's been almost three years, and I haven't yet met my goal of being published, but every day I strive to make that dream come true. And when it happens, I'll enter a new phase, a new room for my next goal of enjoying a career as a multi-published author.

Have you ever put your professional dreams on hold for personal reasons? Vice-versa? If you're a writer, when did the idea of becoming a published writer hit you?

Join me on Friday to set a new goal!

Tweet

Share

The journey begins...

Welcome! I'm thrilled you stopped by.

A journey. A beginning. But not quite. I've been writing contemporary romance novels for two years. Since I adore reading Harlequin Romance novels, I wrote four manuscripts targeted for that line. I've received rejections for two of the books, and in the meantime have gotten feedback on my writing from other authors and contest results. So why do I say I'm beginning my journey?

The last two years have prepared me for the real saga. Until I got honest feedback about my work, I was destined to repeat the same mistakes over and over. So I decided to devote the summer of 2008 to study the craft of writing before starting my fifth manuscript this fall. It's been an emotional ride. The more I learn, the less I know. But I just keep moving forward.

Designing my website and starting this blog were huge goals. If any of you are like me, I had NO idea where to begin! I decided to check out all of my favorite author's websites: a fun job! Then I went a step further and checked out many of the Harlequin author's sites. It's easy to get sucked into their amazing worlds.

Yeah, I got sidetracked, but forced myself back on my own path.

So now you know where I'm at. This is probably the most serious post you'll read, because I tend to view the world through silly, sassy glasses.

Thanks for stopping by and come back each week as I post my musings.

Tweet

Share