Why do you write? Does it matter if a major publisher discovers you, or just that someone reads your writing?
I love writing. As far back as I can remember, I created stories—no, not to my parents—with my best friend. We would sit for hours playing with Barbie dolls, creating new adventures with the iconic toy.
Then when I was eight, I actually wrote my first story, a horror story about gigantic fleas of all things. I guess I had a fear of fleas.
Who knew I’d grow up to be a romantic-suspense writer?
When I was in college, I wrote my first novella. My professor wanted something that entailed drinking and fishing—he was a huge Hemmingway fan. Well, he sure received a surprise when he read my short story. It did have drinking and fishing, but there was nothing funny about it. It was sad; it was real life. Luckily, he enjoyed it, even admitted I was the first student who had ever made him cry and that I had potential.
Unfortunately, it just wasn't in my future at the time. After all, I needed a roof over my head and food on my plate. At nineteen, I was on my own and a career as an author just wasn't feasible at that juncture in my life. At that time, if you didn't live in the mecca—aka New York—you didn't stand a chance, or at least that's what my peers insisted. So, I set out to conquer the business world, and I did. I spent the next decade and a half of my life in sales and marketing with a Fortune 500 company.
Fifteen years later, I went back to my first love. And guess what, I found a new world where dreams really do come true. Yes, I would love to see my books mass published, but if they never get there, I'll still be okay. Just knowing that I shared a piece of my soul with readers who will enjoy it is enough for me.
My first ten novels and two short stories are now available, and from there, I have many stories waiting to share with my wonderful avid-reading friends. I waited twenty years to share my love of the written word and it was worth the wait.
I look forward to chatting with you,
Carmen
Thank you for stopping by my place and reading my
musings. Remember, these are just my opinions and shouldn’t be
taken too seriously. If you have questions, please feel free to leave
them in the comment section, and I promise you I will answer. If you’re
curious about what I write, please visit one of my author pages, where
you can read all about my novels and short stories. And hey, I’ll even
give you a free book just for stopping by.
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Image credit: kenishirotie
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Happy to write and have people enjoy the book
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful reason, my friend. And probably the number one reason authors write, even above writing for ourselves. Writers loved to be read. :)
DeleteMy favorite part is that your first novella made your professor cry - amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and leaving a comment, Felicia. Yeah...he didn't like that...well, he did and he didn't. LOL! It was very sad. I was in a strange state that time of my life. I've been looking for that paper. It's somewhere in my mess of memorabilia. Gotta find it someday.
DeleteHave a wonderful weekend, my friend. :)
Thanks for sharing this, Carmen. Seriously! I need this reaffirmed in me constantly. I pushed my writing to the back burner and it sat there uncooked for twenty years. We have that number in common. I was so bummed recently over the state of my writing, only to have a friend suddenly comment how much one of my novels meant to them. In the end - no matter how many we sell - that's really the best thing, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteTake care and have a great week!
-Jimmy
Yes, it is, Jimmy. How wonderful that he let you know. Nothing--other than the family stuff--touches my heart as much as knowing that I reached someone with my words.
DeleteOne of my readers asked a young woman friend of hers who was going through many of the same issues I take on in my novels if she read. The woman had never read a book in her life--even for school. She convinced her to read 'When Noonday Ends' and the woman broke down in tears, said I was telling her story and that if my protagonist could see her way out, so she could see. I'm even crying as I write this to you. If only that woman can find a way out of an abusive relationship, then my life is complete. Yes...we write for many reason, but dare we ever forget that we write for the person who'll read and be touched.
Cheers, my friend! Thank you for reading and commenting. See...even that makes my day. :)
Wow! Ten novels and two short stories...you've accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. Kudos, Carmen!
ReplyDeleteJust want to write what I want to write. And I love it when readers like what I write. I've been through a publisher telling me what to write...done with that!
ReplyDelete