It's not really my birthday -- I'm a Gemini. But I consider September 29th to be my writer's birthday (the story of how my sister got me going is on my blog). It's the day I started to think seriously about writing. It wasn't going to be just something I did when I couldn't sleep. Or when I didn't like how the movie ended. Or how so-and-so's book was written.
It was the day I committed to writing. I promised my sister I would finish the book. That's all it took to make a "dabbler" since 5th grade into a writer.
I look back sometimes and marvel at how crazy a journey it's been. The first story I ever wrote was a story about a black racehorse in the 5th grade (yeah, I read every Walter Farley book in my library!). Then I started writing a Gone With the Wind -- only in my version, the South was going to win. I studied battles. I read the original inspiration at least three times (I blame the tiny print on why I needed glasses in the 6th grade) and of course saw the movie over and over. I had such high hopes for that crazy little book, but I never ended up finishing it. What happened?
My poor mother hates this story. *wg* I let her read the first chapter or so and she laughed until she cried. Yes, tears of laughter. Not something a newbie writer EVER wants to see! Especially from one's mother. I mean, Mom is supposed to be your biggest fan, right? So when an agent sends out a rejection, you can always say, Yeah, but Mom loved it!
What was so funny? I said the hero ruint the heroine's dress. (Yes even then I was writing romance.) Ruint evidently is a very hilarious word. You're laughing now, aren't you? Yes, I'm still sensitive about it. (Laughs)
At the time, I was pretty humiliated. So much so that I never told another soul that I was writing. I pretty much quit for years, and when I did start writing again, I never told anyone. I sure as hell didn't let anyone READ it! I never finished that Gone With the Wind fanfic. In fact, I never finished another story. Ever.
Until my sister called that day and won that promise from me. (I did make her swear that she absolutely would NOT laugh. No matter how bad it was.)
Despite that first rough experience, today Mom is one of my biggest supporters and has read just about everything I've written. (Everything except the pony play with m/m action!) I even named a hero Ruin as a slight tongue and cheek reminder.
Nothing can hold me back now, right? I mean, once your own mother has laughed so hard she cries, you can take just about any rejection without flinching!
Do any of you have a embarrassing writing story to share?
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To celebrate my writing birthday, my first book, The Rose of Shanhasson, is on sale through the end of the month for only .99, as well as the other two books of the trilogy!
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My cousin thought the first kissing scene I wrote (I was 13 so it was all pretty theoretical) was hilarious. It consisted of exactly two sentences and eight words: "She thought he would kiss her. He did."
ReplyDeleteAw, that's sweet! So he did. :-)
DeleteBless your heart, Sis. I remember that story and cringe with you. And bless Mom's heart, too -- remember the "It reads like a good ol' fashioned bodice-ripper" comment? She meant it as a compliment, but it kinda made me want to delete the file and burn any paper copies. Oi.
ReplyDeleteOi is right. Gee thanks, Mom! Glad I wrote a bodice ripper....
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