Okay, to be honest, I don't really remember anything specific that made me want to write. Sorry. What I can remember is looking for any excuse to have to write something. And I remember going to the Young Writer's workshops as a kid, a program where teachers pick which of their students get to miss a day of school to go learn about writing. I was able to go three times. It was a wonderful experience. I got to meet Stanley Kiesel, the author of The War Between the Pitiful Teachers and the Splendid Kids. (I sill have my signed copy.)
But I don't think I ever really thought about writing a book and getting it published myself. Not until much much later.
Reading picture books (lots and lots of picture books) every day with my kids made me want to write one, but I can't draw or paint to save my life. So I got this idea that I'd make a picture book with photographs. I did, and it totally sucked, by the way. Don't worry, I never sent it out.
What I learned was that you don't need to be able to draw or paint, or know someone who can. (Um, duh, right? Man, I really knew nothing.) I've been writing ever since, and trying to learn as much as possible.
So, that's my story. I can't wait to read everyone's, here's the link. :)
It's great that writing came first. For some people it's the publishing and money that comes first, and you can tell by the books they write that they don't really care about the story.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't care if I never make a dime. Right now my only goal is to be able to hold my book in my hands. I can't even picture anything past that! :)
DeleteI also always wanted to write a book, even when I was really small. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's great. :) I think my oldest girl will be that way.
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DeleteI never thought about writing seriously until much later either!
ReplyDeleteWell we're all just glad you did eventually! :)
Delete"Any excuse to have to write something" I love that. Nice to meet you. I'll be back.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteNothing wrong with that! Thanks for sharing, Rachel.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matt!
DeleteI don't think there's always a specific trigger. Sometimes it's just a completion of a long journey.
ReplyDeleteI guess so. :) Thanks for stopping by, Johanna. :)
DeleteI think I read more picture books than anything. Having three kids will do that to you.
ReplyDeleteYes it will! Thankfully, I love picture books. :)
DeleteWriting sort of sneaked up on me and entered my life quite unexpectedly. Thanks for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how it can do that.
DeleteThanks, Marta. :)
I love picture books! They are what I remember most about childhood. They create childhood, I think!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I love picture books. I was collecting Serendipity books before I even had kids. :)
DeleteIt's still a great story! And the fact that you took the tools to get started so young is amazing. I wish I was that goal oriented when I was younger :)
ReplyDeleteLol, well, it did get me out of school for the day! :)
DeleteNice to meet another mom writer! Yes, there's such a huge learning curve with writing, but I guess it's the same with anything you want excel at. Glad to find you in the blogfest.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, too. It's always great to meet more moms. :)
DeleteNow you don't need an excuse to write! :) Thank you for sharing your ORIGIN today.
ReplyDeleteActually, that's one of the nice things about blogfests, they kind of are an excuse to write! :)
DeleteHow cool you had those opportunities as a child. All schools should offer them. Nice to know your origins.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great program. I kind of wonder if they still do it. I should find that out. . .
DeleteI also looked for excuses to write. When I was three or four, my older siblings were homeschooled and they had to do book reports. I saw what they were doing, and asked my mom why couldn't I do one too? She, surprised, said of course I could do one, while my siblings protested, "Alli, you don't have to do school! Are you crazy? Why would you want to write a book report when you don't have to??" haha. Thanks for sharing your story!
ReplyDeleteAllison (Geek Banter)
That's so cute! Thanks for sharing, and thanks for stopping by. :)
Deletei really like the idea of a story illustrated with photos!
ReplyDeletegreat that you won stuff so young, even opportunities!
Thanks. I still like the photo idea, too. The one I did just wasn't any good. Maybe someday I'll try again. :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful experience at your school. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMonti
Mary Montague Sikes
Thanks! And I will. :) My oldest already loves to write. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. Very true. I think reading to my kids made a big difference too.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel!
ReplyDeleteGreat to meet you on this blogfest. IT must have been nice to go on the young writers workshop. Wish I had something like that when I was younger. :)
your newest follower,
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Such A Great opportunities keep it up. LOL...
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