When you get too old to play with dolls (Melissa Robbins)

          As kids, my best friend and I acted out stories we read.  Naturally, we created our own adventures with our dolls too.  When I got too old to play with dolls, my active imagination had to do something and I turned to writing.  Perhaps those voices in my head started early. 

            I had to write, but it was in secret.  I kept my stories hidden from all eyes.  It was my version of diary writing.  To a teen girl, my life was boring and I lived vicariously through my characters who were far braver than me as Fox sailed on the high seas with pirates and Moira battled Scottish ghosts, curses, and murder.  My Fox story came about as a ‘what if’ (there’s that active imagination coming out).  My dad was a sailor and I pretended what would happen if we got caught in a thunderstorm, because my mom would NEVER let Dad and I sail if there was even a remote chance of a sprinkle.  Moira’s story started off as a dream.  Also in my teen years, I experienced love and heartbreak.  By writing about romance and adventure, my characters found those things that eluded me.      

           The writing slacked off until my son was born with heart defects.  Spending hours in the hospital, I wrote to keep my mind from going bonkers and to pass the time.  Those characters, the early incarnates of Wren and Company became my support group (my family) in a time of need. 

    

        Now I have a couple of hours to myself when my kids are at school.  I use that time to live vicariously through my characters again.  Not because I don’t like my life or that it’s boring (boring is good), it’s like hanging out with old friends and I want to see what they’re up to.   

Why Write? (Penny Rader)

Our topic this month is Why We Write.

Most of us on this blog write romance in one form or another, whether it’s novels or novellas or short stories.  But there are so many other kinds of writing, too: journaling, prayers, memoirs, how-to’s, poems, haiku, essays, blogging, tweeting, cartoons, comics, letters (though, sadly, so few write actual letters these days), greeting cards, etc .  Amazing how many ways there are to communicate with ourselves and one another, isn't it?

I came across this snippet of Mary Oliver’s poem the other day and it seemed perfect for today’s post:

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it.

Everyone has something within themselves they can express by writing it down, whether it’s to jot down something for later use or to discover their authentic self or to share themselves with those who will follow later.

I write for many reasons:

• to figure out what I’m thinking
• to reduce/calm the noise in my head
• to be read
• to see my book(s) on the bookshelf of stores
• to amuse myself and others
• to be remembered

If you’re looking for a bit of help with finding something to write about, maybe you’ll find one or more of these books as helpful and inspiring as I have.

Courage & Craft: Writing Your Life into Story by Barbara Abercrombie

Escaping into the Open: The of Writing True by Elizabeth Berg

The Writer’s Portable Therapist: 25 Sessions to a Creativity Cure by Rachel Ballon

Anybody Can Write: A Playful Approach: Ideas for the Aspiring, the Beginning, the Blocked Writer by Roberta Jean Bryant

The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life by Julia Cameron

Pen on Fire: A Busy Woman’s Guide to Igniting the Writer Within by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett

Room to Write: Daily Invitations to a Writer’s Life by Bonni Goldberg

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

Pencil Dancing: New Ways to Free our Creative Spirit by Mari Messer

A Writer’s Book of Days: A Spirited Companion & Lively Muse for the Writing Life by Judy Reeves  

***Want to jump off onto a bunny trail and play for a minute or five?

My copy of A Writer's Book of Days is dated 1999.  The prompt for today is “This is not about…”  Yesterday’s prompt was “Something seemed different.”

Ready? (Have you picked one?) Set?  (Have a pencil or keyboard handy)?   Go!  If you’re willing, please share in the Comments.



Panning for Gold in the Kitchen Sink: Everyday Creative Writing by Michael C Smith & Suzanne Greenberg

If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Euland

~~~

So, why do you write?  Or, why don’t you write?

Obsession

I am a writer.

We've all written.  Some of us started making up stories early, others came to it a little later.  And for a few of us, it's been an obsession.

That's me.  The obsessed one.  As I've mentioned, books were always my friends.  Add an imagination that apparently began before I can remember, and that late night reading by nightlight, it's no wonder.  By the time I learned how to put all those things together, I wrote.

I wrote plays, and I wrote letters to my five penpals, never missing a beat.  I was the one who made up the pretend games we played and insisted we stick to the "script."  In sixth grade, reading a book and writing a paper on it was heaven for me.  I learned about Amelia Earhart, James A. Naismith, and Helen Keller.  In high school, my favorite class was English, especially Senior English, which consisted of more reading and writing.

It wasn't until I was eighteen and bought a secondhand portable typewriter from a friend that I sat down to write my first book.  And what a book!  Most of it was written on onion skin paper.  (Anybody remember that?)  Like Joan, I had no idea where the story was going, but I just kept typing and typing.  The stack of paper when I was finished was a good three inches tall--all single spaced.  Mistakes?  Who cared!  I'd written a book.  I'd met my goal of writing a book.  Not that it was a good book, but I'd done it.

Years of family and crafts passed, and my oldest daughters, in middle school, started reading The Babysitters Club books.  After reading one, I decided I could do better, (ha ha) so I started reading middle reader and YA books.  And I started writing them, even taking a correspondence course (by mail), to help me "hone my craft."  Before I finished the second course, family issues pulled me away, and I put writing aside, thinking someday I'd get back to it.

Fast forward a few more years, and I was reading romance and thought it might be fun to give writing one a try.  It was!  And so it began.  A year or so and several manuscripts later, I discovered RWA.  Another four years later, and I sold my first book to Silhouette/Harlequin.

I write because that's what I've always done. Twenty-one manuscripts, fourteen of them published, and I still keep on writing.  I've thought about quitting.  I sometimes miss the things I put aside so I could write, but characters continue to appear in my mind--and won't stop talking, so the only way to keep them quiet is to write their stories.  An obsession?  Probably.  Besides, I enjoy it.  I am a writer.

For Her (Melissa Robbins)

At the beginning of this month, I was unsure what to blog about.  The other WARA ladies posted about their value, passions, etc.  I thought about discussing my goals for the year.  Then, on January 11^th, my entire world turned upside down.  My youngest, who would have turned three this week, died suddenly.  As I write this, we still don’t know what happened or why.  It’s one thing to write about mysteries.  It’s another thing entirely to live it. 

I can’t bring myself to get up at 5 am and write, but here’s the deal.  There were times when I wrote on my computer instead of snuggling with my little girl while she watched her favorite show, Team Umizoomi or played ponies.  Times I will never get back. 

I know I can’t wave a magic wand over my story and get it published, but fear of sending out queries always held me back.  No more fears.  I owe it to my little girl to get my book published or go down fighting.  Then those missed opportunities won’t be wasted. 

I’m holding my writer friends accountable to nag me to edit my story, to enter contests, and get out those queries. 

Inspire? Entertain? Humor? All and More!

When I first considered what in my writing space inspires or entertains or humors me I was stuck. Then my eyes lit on a copy of a painting on my wall. It is of Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore (1761-1809). He is a particular favorite of mine and inspires me not only because of what he accomplished but how he did it. He developed the innovative training regimen that turned out the first modern superb light infantry troops. In reading several Moore biographies he appears an exceptionally humane officer and a respected leader. He was placed in charge of the British force in Spain after the recall of Generals Burrard and Dalrymple who basically threw away Wellesley’s (Wellington) first victory in 1808. When faced by Napoleon and 200,000 French troops with only a force of 20,000 he led a heroic retreat and saved most of his men. They were being loaded on ships during the battle at Corunna in which Moore himself was wounded and died.

Considering Moore brought my answer into focus. I didn’t need to choose between the inspire, entertain, or humor because I have something in my office that does all three. This collective “it” also educates and elucidates.

To the right is a photo of the section in my bookcases that contains the memoirs, diaries, letters, reminiscences of the men who served in the Peninsular War ( Portugal and Spain). Intelligence Officer in the Peninsula Letters & Diaries of Major The Hon. Edward Charles Cocks is truly inspires me to do my best. Cocks was such a lively, intelligent and dedicated officer that I was near to tears when I read of his death at the battle near Burgos in 1812.
Diary of a Cavalry Officer 1809-1815 by Lt. Col Tomkinson always entertains. In fact I used his explanations of one of the times he was wounded as an inspiration for the wound suffered by my hero in Honour’s Compromise. Another book full of information but with laugh-out-loud passages is Kincaid’s Adventures in the Rifle Brigade; Random Shots from a Rifleman. I’m still trying to find a way to work some of his escapades into a book. Another entertaining work is On the Road with Wellington: The Diary of a War Commissary by Schaumann. These are just a few I could name.

When I first began collecting books on the period in which I write I did so from a thirst for information and to have that information at hand. I obtained that but I also hold the beauty of the period as well as its pathos on my shelves. I can’t help but be inspired, entertained, humored, and even romanced by the examples of all the authors, of all the men and women with whom I share my office. I can't wait to read what inspires the rest of my fellow WARA writers.

Once Upon a Time (Penny Rader)

Once upon a time there was a young mother. She was a stay-at-home mommy with three little girls. She also had three stepsons, who seemed to be determined to test her in just about every way possible.

Young Mother lived for nap time and bed time, for then she could have a few moments peace, she could lose herself in those most magical of all items…romance novels. Romance novels saved Young Mother’s sanity. While reading romance novels, Young Mother didn’t have to worry that she was failing as a mommy and step-mommy, she didn’t have to wonder how bills were going to be paid or if there would be enough food on the table or if they’d be able to keep a roof over their heads.

Now, Young Mother also loved to go to the most magical of places, The Library. She loved to learn new things and this place was filled to the brim with knowledge. There were lots and lots of books about parenting and cooking and managing a home. She needed a bit of help in those departments. When she wasn’t being challenged by potty-training and tantrums and B&E, she was trying to figure out tasty, inexpensive ways to fill the tummies of all her boys and girls. Alas, she failed pretty miserably in the home managing department, a condition which persists to this day.

One day, while watching TV, Young Mother saw an interview with a romance writer. It seemed romance writers were real people. Hmm. A few weeks later, while watching the noon news, there were two romance writers being interviewed…and they lived just outside her city…and they were going to be at her local bookstore for a booksigning. That booksigning was going to be held on her birthday. It was sign. She had to go.

Young Mother met the Real, Local Romance Authors. She worked up some courage and asked them all sorts of pesky questions and they graciously answered. The visit stayed with Young Mother. Maybe, she thought, maybe she could write a romance novel. Now Young Mother had never written anything beyond some letters and homework assignments. She couldn’t even keep a decent diary. But the thought stayed with her.

A short while later, while visiting The Library, she discovered there were books about how to write. Fancy that! One book in particular caught her eye: Writing Romance Fiction for Love and Money by Helene Schellenberg Barnhardt. Young Mother checked this book out. With the help of her little sister, she kept that book out of the library for nearly five months. She took notes upon notes, studied the examples, and thought maybe, just maybe, she could do this. In the very back of the book, the author listed some resources for writers, including something called Romance Writers of America. Young Mother wrote a letter to RWA and asked for more information.

While waiting to hear back, Young Mother wondered what she should write about. At that time she read mostly historical romances, so it made sense she should try to write a historical. More trips to The Library to look over some history books, to try to pinpoint when the story would take place. She eventually settled on one of her favorite time periods, Colonial America. But…she wasn’t sure how to go about researching and learning what she needed to know. She wanted to learn more personal type of information that would affect her characters, not just wars and stuff.

The mail arrived, with a copy of a magazine produced by Romance Writers of America. And in that issue was an article by Roberta Gellis about how to research a historical romance novel. It was a sign.

Young Mother pored over the magazine, studying all the articles, learning what she could learn. She wrote and asked about a subscription to the magazine. She found, to her dismay, that there wasn’t a subscription available. It came as part of joining RWA. Young Mother’s heart sank. The dues to join were $35! That would buy a lot of groceries. RWA would have to wait.

A few months passed. Young Mother continued to study, to learn about the Colonial America time period. One day, the opening scene of a TV show made her go “Hmm.” Made her wonder. Soon she had created a heroine for her own story.

RWA still beckoned. Young Mother didn’t know any other writers. She continued to study that issue of the magazine. She noticed an article about something called The National Conference. Hmm. One day her husband surprised her with the money to join the organization. Every two months a new issue would arrive. She found out the main organization had Chapters, which were local groups for authors to join. But…her city didn’t have one. Young Mother wrote to one of the regional directors and asked how to start one.

Young Mother kept re-reading that article about The National Conference. She knew in her heart she would never be able to go, but still she dreamed. She figured up how much it would cost to attend the conference in Dallas, including air fare and hotel. $550.00. Oh my. She set that dream aside. It was time to do taxes anyway. While filling out the tax form, Young Mother noticed something new. It was called Earned Income Tax Credit. Huh? They might be able to receive even more money with their refund? She filled out the worksheets. The EITC for their family would be $550.00. It was a sign. Young Mother was supposed to go to The National Conference. And she did (while very pregnant with baby number four). And she met lots of wonderful people, including some who helped her start a local Chapter for her own area.

And that is the story about how I became a writer. What’s your story?

A Writer is me...

I write because I have this amazing way with words…as you can see from my title.

I write because, I have this, ingrained sense of, where to punctuate!!! Commas, in particular, being my specialty.

I write to escape everyday life sometimes.

I write about the wonders of romance and falling in love.

I write so that I can live in another time and place via my characters.

I write because there are so many “people” (and animals) inside my head demanding that I tell their stories.

I write so that I can research interesting places, events, situations, and people. And then I create a story to use some of what I’ve learned.

I am a tenderhearted writer of sweet and almost innocent romance, of hot and steamy romance between kick-ass women and their badass men, and even of oh-my-can-they-do-that? romance on occasion. Plus I write bovine romance.

Overall…I write because I have to. No, I love to write. And I’ve been writing some kind of fiction since I was ten.

Why I Write J Vincent

I’m told I was a story teller from my youngest years. I wrote stories as soon as I gained the ability to print. (My cursive is nearly illegible it’s a very good thing computers came along!) I wrote stories for assignments all through grade to college. I also made up stories for my younger siblings who believed I was far better at it than an English teacher I had in college. She gave me a “C-“ on a story and told me I was not meant to be a writer. She influenced me more than she ever knew but only in that as a teacher I never told a student what they shouldn’t or couldn’t achieve—but that is another topic altogether.

Why did I start writing as in writing a book length story? I believe I was led to it as a saving grace and a blessing. I used to find January-March very depressing and the myriad of emotions following my father’s death made it worse that long ago year. My husband entreated me to read to divert myself. I invaded the nearest public library branch, at that time the South Seneca branch which some of you may recall was quite small, and inhaled every historical and mystery it had. The reading helped but also provoked people who had evidently lurked quite peacefully in the recesses of my mind to make their presence known and over time, to become vociferous.
The voices were an organized bunch and came up with heros and villians, a plot line, a setting, and everything inbetween. How was I to resist? I decided the only way to get them to lurk once more was to write down this story they kept whispering in my head. And so I began to write. Once that book was finished the voices didn’t quiet down, they just changed into different people with different plots and different settings. What could I do? Write, of course.

Way back then I worried. First, whether or not the voices were normal. When I decided I didn’t care, I still worried and still do come to that. Not that I was crazy which would be more normal, but whether or not they would go away. In my wacky head this leads to goals. For most of the summer and fall doing anything was a struggle much less writing anything cohesive. A lethargy more severe than anything I’ve ever expierenced combined with other medical maladies made it impossible to think. In fact at one point I wondered if I had the beginnings of Alzheimer’s. It was my mention of that fear that triggered extensive blood work which finally uncovered the medical culprit. I’m not back where I want to be energywise etc but at least I can remember characters names and have a building desire to return to writing. Those voices again. Those three outlined plots. That unfinished series.

No lofty goals this year. Just one. Redevelop the writing discipline. In other words BIC HOK (Butt in Chair Hands on Keyboard).
May all of you reach your goals this year!