The path to writing is different for everyone, but for many of us--and this is certainly true for me--it comes as a way of working through the dark times in life. That path is strewn with the broken bodies of shattered dreams; things we've loved about ourselves that were stolen away by the hurtful words and actions and others; and our innocence.
The loss of childhood innocence hits hard and runs deep. Many of us can remember the exact moment (or moments) it happened. But I have discovered through art and writing, that a piece of the little girl I once was lives on. She still thrives in a world of imagination--the very place she wanted to live as a child to escape the smothering darkness around her.
Reading was my first escape. I found magic in the pages of stories crafted by others, eventually turning to poetry writing, myself. I did not craft my first short story until I was in seventh grade. It was an oddball Sci-Fi story about life on a new and magical world. Imagine my delight when my English teacher pulled me aside to not only tell me how wonderful it was, but that I should add more and publish it!
That is when the seed was planted. That is when I first began to believe I could write. And yet, I waited until my 20's to truly begin. Then, I stopped writing for six years because what I didn't realize when you first begin writing is that it takes a lot of work to sharpen that skill and become good enough to share your words. My feelings were hurt and I let it stop me for six years, which I realize now I should never have done.
Fortunately, I eventually realized this and decided to fight for the words and stories scratching to be let out from under my skin. I picked up a pen and a shiny new notebook and began hashing out ideas. I rewrote that first story and will likely do so again at some point. I challenged myself with poetry, micro fiction, and short stories. And now I've written many more, ranging from teeny micros, all the way up to an additional two novels. I am currently querying agents for one of those novels. The other sits as a completed first draft, subjected to the slashes of a red pen upon its pages as I weed out problems and inconsistencies.
So you--whoever you are--don't give up on your dreams. Don't give up on your inner child. Walk bravely past those doubts and lies. Work hard on your skills and channeling your imagination. It may stir sluggishly at first like a dragon who has slumbered too long in the dark. But it will rise, and with work, you can conquer your demons and dreams.
This is why I write. I create worlds and lives I love. I'd like to say I create the story, but I'm not entirely sure I do. I breathe life into my beautiful characters and then follow them down whatever road they travel. Sometimes it's bliss. And sometimes, my heart breaks along with theirs. They are real to me, and I hope one day they will be real to you too--that they touch a part of your soul and help you through a difficult time as so many characters have helped me.
That is the ultimate dream.
Forge on, friends. You are strong. You are worthy. There is a place you belong, and you will find it.
The loss of childhood innocence hits hard and runs deep. Many of us can remember the exact moment (or moments) it happened. But I have discovered through art and writing, that a piece of the little girl I once was lives on. She still thrives in a world of imagination--the very place she wanted to live as a child to escape the smothering darkness around her.
Reading was my first escape. I found magic in the pages of stories crafted by others, eventually turning to poetry writing, myself. I did not craft my first short story until I was in seventh grade. It was an oddball Sci-Fi story about life on a new and magical world. Imagine my delight when my English teacher pulled me aside to not only tell me how wonderful it was, but that I should add more and publish it!
That is when the seed was planted. That is when I first began to believe I could write. And yet, I waited until my 20's to truly begin. Then, I stopped writing for six years because what I didn't realize when you first begin writing is that it takes a lot of work to sharpen that skill and become good enough to share your words. My feelings were hurt and I let it stop me for six years, which I realize now I should never have done.
Fortunately, I eventually realized this and decided to fight for the words and stories scratching to be let out from under my skin. I picked up a pen and a shiny new notebook and began hashing out ideas. I rewrote that first story and will likely do so again at some point. I challenged myself with poetry, micro fiction, and short stories. And now I've written many more, ranging from teeny micros, all the way up to an additional two novels. I am currently querying agents for one of those novels. The other sits as a completed first draft, subjected to the slashes of a red pen upon its pages as I weed out problems and inconsistencies.
So you--whoever you are--don't give up on your dreams. Don't give up on your inner child. Walk bravely past those doubts and lies. Work hard on your skills and channeling your imagination. It may stir sluggishly at first like a dragon who has slumbered too long in the dark. But it will rise, and with work, you can conquer your demons and dreams.
This is why I write. I create worlds and lives I love. I'd like to say I create the story, but I'm not entirely sure I do. I breathe life into my beautiful characters and then follow them down whatever road they travel. Sometimes it's bliss. And sometimes, my heart breaks along with theirs. They are real to me, and I hope one day they will be real to you too--that they touch a part of your soul and help you through a difficult time as so many characters have helped me.
That is the ultimate dream.
Forge on, friends. You are strong. You are worthy. There is a place you belong, and you will find it.
