But Why?

My friends keep asking why I started writing, so I thought I'd sit down and make a blog post about the when, the why, and the how...

When:

I can't really place a date on when I started writing, but I have wanted to write a book since I was a teenager. Constantly sitting down with a pen and piece of paper, I would write my thoughts down and then chuck 'em when they were absolutely awful. When I was fifteen, I started writing poetry. Nothing was ever published or shared with the world - except a few poems that I wrote as a joke for my friends. My poetry notebook is hiding in my apartment somewhere and it contains poems that I wrote about my home life, my dad, my friends, and even one about Autumn, I think... it's been a hot minute since I've cracked it open.

April of this year is when I decided I was really going to hunker down and write a book. My first attempt, however, was tossed out the window once I hit about 30,000 words because I didn't see where my story was going. Then, around the middle of July, the story line came to me in a dream and I took it and ran with it; this story - "Seeing Double", will be published in October of 2019.

Why:

Writing gives me a sense of freedom. I can sit down and put ANY words onto paper; my feelings, my thoughts, my wants, my hopes and dreams (that were lost along with Squidward's). Nobody can judge what I write because I write for myself.

Reading is one of my favorite things to do. Getting lost in a make believe world is one of the most relaxing and carefree hobbies that I have. I can travel to any place I want when I'm reading a story.

Pinterest is the biggest inspiration for me - I saw a pin on someone's board that I follow that said "If you don't see the book you want on the shelf, write it." ... well, okay then!

And off I went with the dream story I had concocted.

How:

I got myself involved on some Facebook groups that I lean on for support when I have a question. I befriended a few published authors who I rely on for their stories of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Once I got my feet planted and determined I was really going to do this, I threw together a group of three other girls and they are now my tribe. (HUGE shoutout to my girls; Taylor, Brittney, and Jaime << who became characters in my first novel).

My peer group is used for feedback on many things, as well as support and motivation to keep going. Talking on a daily basis helps all four of us stay on track because we are always aware of each other's goals that we have for that day and YES we check to make sure everyone is on track. I couldn't have gotten as far as I am without these three girls.

What do I want to come out of this? I want to pursue a career in writing. I don't have a degree, I don't have a fancy certification saying I'm able to... but I do have a pen and notebook and that's all I need to chase my dreams.

Catch me next time to find out how I balance work, family, friends, and my new found love for writing.

-A. Lynn