Happy week 23 of #LivingLovingWriting. This week I thought I would answer a question that I frequently get asked, “Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?”
And the answer is no. No, I didn’t know that I always wanted to be a writer, but I have been writing my whole life.
In the second grade, I wrote and illustrated my first story about rabbits. In middle school, I wrote and illustrated a story about a princess. In high school, I wrote a one hundred page story about a day at the beach. In college, I kept a very detailed journal, which my best friend Brandie would read, and it was her who planted the initial seed that I should write a real book. See, I love telling stories. But what I’ve never loved, is the mechanical side of writing. Grammar and I are not friends. I find it incredibly tedious and boring, and those classes were hard for me. I also have a hard time being forced to read something that I don’t want to. So, pursuing an education and a career with a writing path was never in the plan. What was, however, dual degrees in Biology and Chemistry. Yep, I love science and medicine, which is where I’ve spent the last twenty years of my adult career.
But that didn’t stop me.
Seven years ago, my husband challenged me to participate in www.nanowrimo.org, 30 days and 50 thousand words. He came across it from somewhere, and of course since he threw down the gauntlet, I had to pick it up. But my problem was, I’ve always had this certain level of fear and insecurity when it comes to writing, because I know I write terribly, and he said the best thing ever to me, and it’s changed my life. “Who cares. Write your stories and I’ll pay to have them fixed. That’s what editors are for.”
He was so right.
I crushed the challenge, found my voice and became a writer. Has it always been easy, no. I also work a full time job and have two very active boys. But if it’s important to us, we make it happen, right? And that’s what I’m doing. I’m now on my tenth story, eight are published. Everyday I learn something new, and everyday I dream about writing, characters, and stories… Whether you’ve read one of mine, or all of them, I hope you love them as much as I do…
QOTD: Have you always wanted to write a book? If so, what’s holding you back? Do you have any questions I can answer to help move you along? If so, email me, I’d love to talk about it more with you. 🙂
Will there be more stories that go with the Blue Horizons characters?
Hi Sharon! Thank you for reaching out! I never say never. I do have a few ideas for Clay, so we’ll see. But I can tell you it is not my current project. I hope you loved the story. Thanks for stopping by. Kathryn xo