So Kelly and Kacey have started the "writer's journey" blogfest.
I'm not sure there is anything a writer likes more than to talk about how they're own journey began or where it is leading. We do so love to talk about our writing. And I am absolutely no exception.
I didn't seriously start writing until 2001. Suddenly I felt the bug as it were. I went to about.com's romance writing site (it wasn't "about.com" then, I can't remember what it was called) where I got my first cp who is now author Lydia Joyce. She really kicked me from amateur hour to taking my writing seriously and working hard on it. Then I discovered Romance Central and got involved in the forums where I am still active and I met Melissa. The webmistress, Becky Vinyard has been an amazing font of wisdom and support, encouraging me when I wanted to quit. I also joined RWA. I love my local chapter (OCC/RWA)and my online (KOD). I love the blogging community.
Right now, I feel like I'm a difficult spot professionally. I've got an ms that I've been querying for over a year. It keeps getting requests and I'm still submitting. I've really only queried about 25 different agencies, pretty small number considering. In the meantime, I've kept writing and now have another finished book and am 1/4 of the way through another.
The other challenge is the homefront. Trying to balance writing with being a mother, wife, soccer coach, baseball coach and all the other stuff that fills the life of a SAHM suburbanite can be frustrating. I did dump the coaching duties. You think romance writing is a challenge? Try dealing with the BoD of your local AYSO region.
Sometimes I quit. Like a diehard smoker, I swear I'm never going to write again. I'm going to be a reader and that's it. The longest I've gone without writing in the last 4 years is about 2 weeks. It is a compulsion I cannot stop. I can't imagine that I will ever quit, as long as the characters in my head are trying to escape.
8 comments:
Of course you'll never quit. You can't! You're too good. *grin*
Those characters in your (or my, or anyone else's) head can get VERY bossy, can't they?
I quit every week. Threaten to fill out the application at Taco Bell. Thankfully i come to my senses, and so will you.
Rene, good post. I love reading about how long people have been writing, and where they are now in their journey.
The quitting thing...if only...I say if you CAN quit you should quit...But I haven't ever been able to actually QUIT...
Great post, Rene! Every writer's journey is unique, and I know yours will have a happy ending. Writing with family is one of the toughest challanges we face. Good luck with these books!
You can't stop. You're a WRITER!
Anyone who is capable of quitting writing will eventually do so. And I firmly believe that everyone who sticks out the journey for the long run WILL be published. The odds are in our favor.
Great post, Rene! Thanks for sharing this. Like I told Kacey - I love hearing about how other people starting their writing journey.
Last week, in between all my packing and moving, I didn't get a chance to write for 4 days straight. And then I sat down, so excited and wrote 10 pages in an hour. So I understand the whole 'can't quit' thing.
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