My Writing Journey
My mom used to tell me stories at bedtime. She would ask me, “Do you want me to read a book or make one up?” I would, almost always, ask her to make one up. She had such a great imagination. She was a writer. And, yes, unfortunately, now I have to use past tense. She transitioned from this reality about 6 years ago. She would tell and create such stories that I would rather have had her stories than a hundred books to read. She inspired a fantastic love of writing and reading in me at a young age. I still have the first book I ever read all by myself that wasn’t just a chapter book or picture book. Though I did read it out loud and it really annoyed my older brother. I’m still ok with that! Lol!
She and I would write stories, work on our books together. We would take trips to the library and cafes to work and research. We sometimes were a band of three when one of my dearest friends and another talented writer would join us. For a while the three of us would have writing sessions. We’d critique for each other and read our words out loud to one another and just enjoy the process and the company.
Like many I have not gotten to ‘the end’ on a full-length novel yet. I’ve written a few short stories and self-published a rather spicy one under a different name. I have plenty of started works and a few that have some real potential. A dark romance with vampires (love me some fangs!), an urban fantasy around a cult of sinners, and a horror about a very unique typewriter. Just typing those out makes me eager to work on them again.
So, what has me stalled out on my creativity? Well, a few things. Quite a few years ago I lost the most work I had done on a novel to a corrupted flash drive. It was devastating. I know that’s dramatic, but we writers tend to be a little dramatic about our work. I thought I had copies somewhere else but no. The bulk of what I had written was lost. I had notes and some chapters in other places, but it was just depressing. I didn’t write for a while after that.
Then my mom passed away and I couldn’t bring myself to be creative in that way. I was in a terrible reading slump because everything reminded me that she wasn’t there to share it with. I kept wanting to get back to writing but grief just wouldn’t let me. I knew at some point it would change. I knew my life wouldn’t be without words and creativity.
It did change. Recently I’ve been writing again. Little bits here and there. I’ve gotten a binder with my current WIPs (work in progress) laid out and organized. I’m reading again. It feels good and I couldn’t have done it without my beautiful friend. We’ve done some writing sessions together and talked about my mom while we were typing away. I feel happy when I’m doing it. I feel like I’m honoring her and the legacy she left with every word, written and read.
I am giving my time to writing and reading again. I’m using a quote from Stephen King to keep me grounded. He said, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.” The story I am focusing on is a cozy mystery with some attention given to the DR and UF. I’ve got a stack of cozy mysteries to read through and take notes on and a few other genres if I need some palate cleansing. Lots to read, lots to write. That’s a good problem to have.
One thing I know is that every story I write or book I open to read is that my mom is smiling. This thing she passed down to me…I am so grateful for it. I miss her. I will always miss her. But I will make sure that I honor her and the gifts she gave me.
Are you writing today? Reading? Share it. I love adding new books to my ever-growing TBR.
Take care,
