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By Tami Brothers
It was a dark and stormy night. 2 am to be exact.
As exhausted as I was, there would be no sleep for me as I walked the floors of my home. I had a baby draped over my shoulder and every time I lowered myself onto a nice comfy sofa, the wailing would begin all over again. The only thing that would quiet him amongst the constant thunder shaking the walls was the heat of my body and the beating of my heart against his ear. Of course, the rhythmic movement of my pacing was also required.
Each time my steps brought me into close proximity of my overflowing bookcase, I’d search the titles for something to distract me from the ache blooming behind my eyes. I picked up and put down multiple stories, all favorites but their story lines were also memorized. I needed the challenge of the unknown of a new HEA to distract me. I had hours left of comforting to go and knew I’d go mad if I couldn’t find something to do. But what would that be?
As you have probably guessed, this was the beginning of the crazy writing journey I’ve found myself on. That night (or rather, morning) I powered up my computer (you know, way back before the internet had all this really cool stuff to search for – heck, I was lucky to even have a computer back then!) and opened a blank page. Picture me surprised when the clicking of the keys soothed the crying even more. I thanked my lucky stars that I’d purchased the fancy chair that allowed for swivel and rocking motions. My son loved it. With this discovery, I was finally able to ease off of my aching feet. After an hour spent trying to type one handed, I fastened a papoose of sorts with a blanket tied around my middle and neck. That was when the magic began.
I typed for five hours that night without even realizing what I’d done. When my husband finally ventured down the stairs, all dressed and ready for work, I realized I’d just written 23 pages of a manuscript. 23 pages!!! What the heck was I going to do with 23 pages? Well… three months later, I had turned those 23 pages into 289 pages. This was 69,487 words. More than enough to be considered a ‘manuscript.’
This was my first step off the cliff of sanity and into the crazy, unpredictable life of a writer. Little did I know how addictive it would be and little did I know that one step was a step I would never regret taking.
The journey since then? Well that’s a whole other story and one that will have to wait for another post. Although the process has been filled with ups and downs (more downs than ups I have to say), it’s still an experience I wouldn’t give up.
Which left me wondering about those of you who are writers out there in blogosphere. What was the one thing that sent you on this torturous journey? Was it a lifelong dream that kept gnawing at your soul? Or was it something that hit you upside the head one day and wouldn’t release its claws from your neck? And for those of you who are readers, have you ever thought about segueing into the writer’s world? I’d really like to hear all of your stories!
by Tami Brothers
19 comments
I’m not one of those writers who crayoned on her diapers because of her desire to write. I read instead and found other creative outlets, such as singing and playing the piano, artwork, needlework, designing my kids clothes and decorating each new home we moved to. But after awhile, I settled into the drudgery of work, work, work and needed a new creative outlet. In 2003, the opportunity presented itself and I began to write my first novel. Now I can’t imagine not writing.
I wasn’t born needing to write. I started my first book when my first child was a few months old, 26 years ago. That one hasn’t ever been finished. I got serious about writing about six years ago. I had a chance to join a critique group which made all the difference in me sticking with the writing. Now I can’t live without it. I would have never dream I would have ever written ten books, but I have.
Yesterday I was transferring files to the new desk my husband made for me (his hobby) as a birthday present. I ran across a file of story ideas, some dated years and years ago. It ontained some good ideas that I’d forgotten I’d even written.
I got serious in 2001 after that same husband (bless his heart) challenged me to write instead of dabbling and talking about it.
Sandy
I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember so I caught the writing bug early.
I got a poem published in Highlights, the magazine you get in the dentist office, at age 11, I believe, I think it was called
“The Spider Web.”
In my fourth grade class I wrote a book with the kids in my class as the featured characters. It was called “East West Island.” My teacher read it to the class in installments at a break every day.
I had very encouraging English teachers in elementary and high school, was editor of my junior high paper, and feature editor of my high school paper and wrote for the literary magazine. I also wrote the scripts for the school assemblies.
I majored in journalism so have written for corporate clients my entire career but didn’t start writing fiction until I joined GRW and now this is what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Marilyn Baron
Tami,
This is a great post! I’m glad school is finished and you’ll be writing tons of pages! Can’t wait to read them.
Me? I started writing out of desperation. I was working on my dissertation and in a room quietly going crazy. One evening, I pulled the paper out of the typewriter (yep, and it was manual) and put in a clean sheet. I started typing as the ‘movie’ was playing in my head, typing fast to keep up with it. I would add to it every day when I got crazy with my other work. Thank goodness I did get a computer before it was finished. It was so much fun and so such a good world to get lost in for a little while, that I decided to keep on doing it. I thought I was the odd person – until I joined GRW – and found ‘everyone’ was writing!
Great post! I loved the mental picture of you with baby strapped across your chest, typing away! You need to keep that in mind for another book about a crazed writer!
Like Marilyn, I’ve always written–poetry, short stories, lots and lots of papers, training manuals, etc. In addition, I’ve always been a voracious reader–anything and everything. I consider myself an expert at knowing a little about a lot of things, mostly through reading!
I decided 7 years ago that I wanted to be published in fiction and joined GRW since it was local and I really thought it would be fun to write a romance. I’d read them all my life. It was not as easy as it looked! But I had some help from GRW critique partners.
Even if I never published one book, I’d still be writing. It has come to be one of those things I need to do.
Have a great day!
Anna
I was a pretty silent child who lived in books. I consumed them at an alarming rate – yup,at night, under my covers with a flashlight until four in the morning.
But I hated writing. Suffered over having to answer ‘essay’ questions.
Years later, when I didn’t have a book handy at night, I’d concoct stories in my head. I began talking about writing a book but did nothing about it for many years.
When I was about to reach an ugly milestone birthday, I decided that I owed it to myself to sit down and see if I could do it.
I finished two books in six months.
I’d finally found my true self.
Now, 5 books later, I’m still happily learning my craft.
Though I didn’t pen stories as a child or teenager, I’ve always played them out in my head. Right before I fell asleep at night I’d imagine each scene as I drifted off into dream world. It never occurred to me to start writing down the stories until 2003. That’s when I met Jennifer St. Giles at a swim meet. Our sons swam for the same team. Go Hurricanes! Jenny was always reading and scribbling on a stack of papers. When I asked her what she was doing, she was eager to share her enthusiasm for writing. Two weeks later, I attended my first GRW meeting and met wonderful friends that I’ll cherish for a lifetime. Now I can’t imagine myself not writing.
I LOVE the “crayoned on her diapers” comment, Carol. I can totally see that. Toooo funny.
Hey Susan! I highly recommend critique groups, too. I think this has definitely helped my writing.
Your husband sounds like a real keeper, Sandy! I love that he is so thoughtful.
Ohhh, Marilyn, I can hear that book about your classmates even now. I wish I had been that creative back then.
Hey Brenda! I feel ya on that keeping you sane part when life gets a bit crazy. That is exactly how my writing feels to me.
Thank you, Anna! I’ve never been the best a poetry, although I wish I could write it. I love some of the ones I’ve read.
Kathy, I think we are kindred spirits. I remember reading under the covers with a very HOT reading lamp until all hours of the night.
I LOVE that story, Pam, about meeting Jenny at a swim meet. Too cool! It was definitely meant to be.
Ladies, I LOVE your stories about how you all started writing. I love reading about how people got started on their paths and how they are persisting even in the face of uncertainty and rejection.
I wish you all the very best and I can’t wait to read your books.
Tami
Like Maxine, I started mine while working on my dissertation. Well, actually, it was during yet *another* lull in my dissertation, a year ago. This story about twins popped into my head and I dismissed it. I’d never been a creative writer, never had the drive to write, and technical writing caused me to want to throw the computer across the room. On vacation with the family, I casually mentioned the story idea to my husband who thought it sounded great and encouraged me to write it. I haven’t stopped writing since (and the idea has grown exponentially).
Like Maxine, I started mine while working on my dissertation. Well, actually, it was during yet *another* lull in my dissertation, a year ago. This story about twins popped into my head and I dismissed it. I’d never been a creative writer, never had the drive to write, and technical writing caused me to want to throw the computer across the room. On vacation with the family, I casually mentioned the story idea to my husband who thought it sounded great and encouraged me to write it. I haven’t stopped writing since (and the idea has grown exponentially).
Chiming in late, but better late than never! Great post, Tami
I’d always journaled–in fact I have every day of high school written down which makes for some interesting reading on occasion. I loved writing letters, journal entries, short stories, etc.
About 5 years ago I wanted to try novel length fiction instead of short stories. And I can’t imagine not writing now; it’s one of the best creative outlets and giddy feelings there is whenever things align
Elaine
That’s so cool that your typing soothed the baby! It was meant to be.
Confession: I was the geeky kid who made up secret languages and alphabets. I made maps and drew pictures of my characters. The writing…I tried, but never got too far. I was more caught up in the other parts of fantasy.
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Hey Noelle! This sound great! I am a huge TWIN story fan. I’ve got quite a few of them on my shelf. Kudos to your hubby for encouraging you. Keep at it!!!
I’m a journaler, too, Elaine! I have a huge rubber maid container full of them. But I admit that I didn’t start until I was an adult. My mom had a habit of reading anything we wrote back then and I didn’t want to deal with that. Yay on the novel!!!
Hi Anna! My son is exactly like this. Last summer I made up a Treasure Hunt for him and my niece and it took me two weeks to get it to work just right. I used several of his spy books and added math facts and word searches. I put a TON of work into it. They solved the darn thing in less than half an hour. Said it was easy. I’m happy for them, but they are wanting another one this year. I think I’m going to have to hire someone a LOT smarter than myself to help me with it…grin…
Oh, and yes, this would be the baby from the post. I admit that I’ve been writing for a while now – still unpublished but a LOT smarter than when I first started. I kind of miss those early days when writing was much easier. Now that I know things like GMC, POV, back story, character arcs, info dump, etc; the whole process seems much harder and takes a lot longer. But I’ll keep at it because I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I didn’t.
Thanks a ton for stopping by, today! I love reading all your stories. I started a new phase of my job this week (yay for the new degree and the new raise!!!) and the early mornings are killing me. I’ll check back by tomorrow to see if anyone else stops by.
Tami
I thought I’d already been over here today. Obviously, not. *sigh* What a wonderful story, Tammy! For most of us having a baby causes a bit of a hiatus, but you have a truly unique story what with your little papoose.
I was thinking about this today. I’ve always been a story teller–I remember telling my mom about a fictitious field trip when i was in kindergarten. Good ol’ mom just let me get in deeper and deeper with each question she asked.
Then I remember really having fun with writing when Mrs. Shutt, my 4th grade teacher, had us write stories using all of our spelling words. That was such a great exercise, and we had great fun with screaming tomatoes and who knows what else.
Then, in 7th grade, our gifted teacher had us pass around a story like a round robin–kinda like our Aspen Expose–and everyone complained but me and my best friend. We thought it was such fun that we started our own on-going story: Noteworld
Noteworld went on through high school, and we wrote stories together. I probably have ten or so “manuscripts” of handwritten notebook paper stories. (That shall never see the light of day.)
I took the requisite classes in college, but it was a trip to Tombstone, Arizona that set me to writing my first romance, a western that featured a poker playing, buckskin wearing heroine…and no real conflict whatsoever.
So here I am 13 years after my ill-fated Western, still unpublished but much, much wiser and I’m almost finished with novel number 5. In fact, I should probably get back to that now.
Thanks for indulging my long story. Ask a Kilpatrick a question, . . . .
Hey Sally! I LOVE the Round Robin thing. This is one of my very favorite writing exercises.
I can just picture your trip to Tombstone. I’ve been there on the back of a motorcylce and LOVED it.
I’m racking up those years, myself, girl. Keep up the writing. You are getting oh so close!
Tami
Like Marilyn, I caught the writing bug early. I’ve mentioned before that I won a bunch of scholarships in high school for creative writing and illustrated poetry. But my mom showed me a few days ago by coincidence, that I won a writing contest for the Broward County Youth fair as a third grader!
I’d forgotten all about that one.
I wish I was as prolific now as I was back then!
Great post Tami!
Have a fabulous day,
Tamara
What a great post, Tami. That story will be famous, one day when your readers are looking for your books. And it’s so cool reading about everyone’s experiences.
What got me started writing? An aptitude test. I’ve always had a creative streak and I took that test, hoping it would say I was destined to be a writer. The result was if just one characteristic had come out opposite, I would be. Instead, it said I should go into law. I’ve spent all the years since then trying to prove that darn test wrong, LOL.