Monday, February 13, 2012

Origins

I'm thrilled to be part of this one day blogfest, Origins, or 'where did it all begin.'  This brainchild of DL Hammons, asks us to describe how we started on this crazy, frustrating, wonderful journey to become a writer.  I'm sure there are some interesting stories out there.

Unlike many writers I've met over the years, I had no desire to be an author when I was younger. But I always loved to read.  I think I read every fiction book in the library at our small elementary school. Like lots of kids, I started with novels about animals. Horses (The Black Stallion), dogs (The Call of the Wild) and discovered The Lord of the Rings from Tolkien in junior high school.  It was still a few decades later when I first thought about writing a novel of my own.

At the time I started there were very few fantasy romances being published.  An occasional futuristic novel could be found but they weren't big sellers.  But it was what I enjoyed reading so I finally decided if no one was going to write them, I would do it myself.  I started out writing longhand in a notebook between taking care of four small children, teaching full time and finishing up my master's degree. I also taught aerobic classes in the evenings.  Where did all that energy go? Wish I still had it.
Eventually I convinced my husband we needed a computer and we bought an iMac. Loved that machine. But the smartest thing I did, when I had finished typing that novel into the computer was to join my local chapter of RWA.  Those wonderful people taught me so much about POV, what editiors wanted and even how to find out where to submit my novel.  It was there I also learned about Pennwriters, a state-wide group that hosts a first rate conference each May. It took many rewrites, but I eventually found a publisher for that first novel.

New Concepts Publishing, one the oldest and most successful of the small independent publishers who were at the forefront of the ebook revolution, took on The Greater Good.  I experienced the editing process and started the ongoing process of learning about promotion. Since then, they've published five more of my fantasy romances.  Even though they published The Greater Good a number of years ago, every quarter it continues to earn a good income. 

I think the origin of my writing career is rather mundane but I feel good about how far I've come.  I'm not making mega-millions or even one million, but I'm doing okay.  No one has made a movie of any of my books, but I've received some great reviews and nice letters from readers.  I feel good about my writing career though I hope to do better. If you want to know the stories behind more writers careers, visit Cruising Altitude 2.0.

Did you always want to be a writer?  Do you like knowing a little more about the authors you read or don't you read the rear flaps to learn about the writer?

32 comments:

Miranda Hardy said...

Do glad you write what you want to read. That makes a great author.

Anonymous said...

I was the same! Didn't want to be a writer when I was younger either.

And I LOVE reading a little about the authors. It's always fascinating.

Tara Tyler said...

a writer's association is a marvelous source!
great beginning!

fairbetty said...

You know, having a "GREAT" back story to your writing career can be nice, but the sense of accomplishment that goes with your published works is far greater, in my mind. I'd choose that success over a good back story any day :)

I always wanted to be a writer, but I still haven't figured out how to get my act together. Working on that...

Bossy Betty said...

I love that you are doing what you love!

M.J. Fifield said...

I always liked writing but never thought I should be a writer.

I do like to know about the authors, especially when I've really enjoyed their work. I always read the rear flap blurbs and the acknowledgments at the end.

DL Hammons said...

If no one was going to write them, I was going to do it myself.

Good for you! Sometimes the writing bug kind of sneaks up on you, but that doesn't make it any less interesting! Thank you for sharing your ORIGIN today! :)

Unknown said...

Doing what you love because others are not, great way to start if you ask me. Thanks for sharing.

Tonja said...

Sounds like a story of perseverence. Good for you. :)

J.L. Campbell said...

I know that feeling of deciding on writing what you wanted to read. I've pretty much done the same myself. I like romance with a dash of danger.

When I find an author I enjoy reading, I do want to know a little more about them.

Margo Berendsen said...

I think that's really interesting about how there weren't a lot of fantasy romances being published. I remember always wishing back in the 80's and 90's when I devoured SF/F that there would be a little more romance in them! I'll have to check out the Greater Good.

New follower. My post is at How my writing dream began

Heather Day Gilbert said...

Enjoyed reading your story, and your conclusion--that you enjoy looking over how far you've come, and how you appreciate those reviews and letters. I think that's what writing is all about for some of us--getting those thoughts out there and hoping it will bring enjoyment to others.

nutschell said...

Hi Susan!
I'm dropping by from the origins blogfest. I love that you write in the genre you most love to read :)

Your newest follower,

Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I started reading Tolkien when I was 11 - how's that for really young?

We don't have to make millions. But feeling good about what we do is priceless.

S. L. Hennessy said...

I think the best writers are born out of great readers. Great post and keep writing.

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

Thanks for sharing! I always love reading success stories. :) (Hopefully one day I'll have one!) :)

Christine Rains said...

Reading great books inspires us all. Wonderful origins story. :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hey, if you don't see what you want to read, write it!
Thanks for participating in the blogfest.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Great post. Oh, and lovely first name, too. Sounds to me like you're living the dream. It might be nice to have mega millions, but that isn't what it's all about. I'm happy for you. Count me in as your newest follower, and I'll be sure to order "The Greater Good" from Amazon.

Unknown said...

I think it's awesome you took charge of the genre you wanted to see out there! I'm totally checking out this book! And it's so awesome you balanced teaching, writing, children, and a MA degree. WOW.

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

I am loving reading all these Origin stories. They would make a great inspirational book for writers.

Golden Eagle said...

"No one has made a movie of any of my books, but I've received some great reviews and nice letters from readers."

It's always nice to know that people enjoy what you write. :)

Laura Pauling said...

Congrats on the book! That's wonderful you have something out there!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

This is so fun learning everyone's start into this crazy business. Thanks for visiting.

Nancy Thompson said...

Hey, mundane may not be sexy or exciting, but it got you there, which is a lot mo0re than most people can say, including me! So congrats on all your accomplishments!

I'm a new follower via the Origins bloghop.

Allison said...

I also loved animal stories when I was a kid! The Black Stallion, Lassie, and Stephen Lawhead's Riverbank stories were some of my favourites. Tolkien has also been a wonderful influence on me.

Allison (Geek Banter)

Unknown said...

"So I finally decided if no one was going to write them, I would do it myself."

I suspect that's a thought that's at the heart of a lot of our origin stories. It's what drove me to write my first novel (a horrid piece of fiction, but a great learning experience), and what keeps rekindling the fire.

Unknown said...

Mundane or not, it doesn't matter how we all came to our love for writing, all that matters is that we're here now! I really love your origin story. Writing what you want to read is such a wonderful way to start.

Botanist said...

I'm glad to meet so many other writers who didn't always know they wanted to write. And you sound successful too, which is double awesome!

Jackie Jordan said...

What a wonderful husband you to have bought a computer for you. I got my first PC in '97 - I still keep my manual typewriter, my dearest friend, in my bedroom for comfort ...

Jeremy Bates said...

I am glad that you love to write now. you've learn a lot and that is because it is your destined to be a writer. you just found it late maybe.

Scarlett said...

It's funny how my energy levels always peak when I'm feeling enthusiastic about something! I experienced a lull for a while... thought I was going soft *g*... then I picked up my writing again. Voila! The Energizer Bunny!

Now, if I can only channel it so that it's balanced a wee bit more between *my desire to learn all that I can about being a better writer* and *my greatest wish, to actually FINISH my book*!!

I'm curious to know more about Future Fantasy. I'll be sure to check out yours!