Have you always known that you wanted to be a writer?
Since I became an author, this is the question I get asked the most and the answer is, no. No, I didn’t know that I always wanted to be a writer. I have a great love for science and medicine and knew I wanted to work in this field, 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, and for as long as I can remember I kept a journal. I love telling stories. From describing intricate details of the setting, to how things made me feel, I love it.
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 these 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. On the flip side, math and I have always been great friends. While I love science and set off in college to earn a biology degree, the math side and chemical equations were so much fun, I added a chemistry degree in year five for a dual major. Both of these, the complete opposite of creative writing.
But that didn’t stop me. Usually a person tends to be either more right brained dominant where you are creative or artistic, or left brain dominant where you are analytical or methodical. And I discovered that I fall 50:50, right down the middle, which in hindsight makes complete sense.
So what finally convinced me to sit down and write my first novel?
A little over six years ago, my husband who knew that I had write a book on my bucket list, challenged me to participate in NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month. In November they have a 30 day/ 50 thousand word writing challenge. Of course because he threw down the gauntlet I wanted to pick it up, but I’ve always had this certain level of insecurity when it comes to writing because I know I write terribly, perhaps even very elementary. After expressing this to him, he said the best thing ever and it’s changed my life, maybe it’ll change yours, too. “Who cares. Write your stories, and we’ll pay to have them fixed. That’s what editors are for.”
He was so right. Whereas, I hate the technical side of grammar, others love it. I crushed the challenge, while finding my voice, a creative outlet, and became a writer. I have two people who help me with editing: a line editor and then a proofreader to go over and see if anything was missed. I am incredibly grateful for them, and blessed that they deal with what I give them. I know I’m probably more work than others, but they don’t seem to mind.
I’m now on my eighth story, which is set to publish in April, and yes, I still work a full time job in the medical field. It’s like I’m getting the best of both worlds. Everyday I learn something new, and everyday I dream about writing, characters, and stories. The ideas are continually coming, and the characters never stop talking. Lately, I’ve felt there’s just not enough time to tell all the stories I wish I could, but that’s okay, because hopefully I have the rest of my life to do so.
QOTD: What is something that you’ve always wanted to do, but are hesitant because of a fear or insecurity? I promise you are not the only one who feels this way, and I’m certain that there is a way to overcome it, or side step around it like I did. Talk to you family, talk to your friends, two heads together is always better than one. I believe in you, and I know you can do it.
#LivingLovingWriting
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