Friday, January 20, 2017

Why Writers Write


Happy New Year and welcome back to our group blog. Our great topic This month is “Everybody wants to write a book, but most do not. Writing is hard work. What got you started, and what helps you get through a complete story?”
How many times have you heard someone say, I’m going to write a book about that? They never do. I’m not sure what got me started. I’ve said several times before, I’ve written forever. In my teen years, I wrote locked room plots. I never wrote a whole book. I kept saying I should, but work, family life, got in the way. I still wrote, but never that book.
Then in my early forties I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was lucky. It was diagnosed early, but I’m one who believes things happen for a reason. I thought about where I was in life. I had a family, we’d done a lot of traveling, I had a great job. So, what was missing? And they only thing I could think of was that book I’d kept saying I would write. I had surgery, read, and practiced the Power of Positive Thinking and survived.

And I started to write. I did some reading about getting started on a book and it said writing romance was easy. So, I started a romance novel. First, romance isn’t easy. You need strong, well-developed characters, a good plot and great dialogue. And second, I like to read a good romance, but I need a murder, or crime or something suspenseful when I write. I finished that book. Why? Because I felt I had to, or I might get another nudge from somewhere in the universe. That book is hidden where no one will ever find it.
I’ve been writing ever since. Why? Because it’s addictive. It’s part of my life. I can’t imagine not ever writing. I’m published, but it’s the writing that’s so important. Once I start a book, I have to finish, because I’m never quite sure where the story will go and I need to find out.

Now I’m curious why other started and I’m heading over to find out. Check out the other authors below.
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com
Heather Haven http://heatherhavenstories.com/blog/
Dr. Bob Rich http://wp.me/p3Xihq-SK
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Victoria Chatham http://victoriachatham.blogspot.ca
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com
Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Rachael Kosinski
http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
A.J. Maguire  http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com


28 comments:

  1. My first story was many years past. Like yours, it will never see the light of day. My first published story was in my own online magazine under a pseudonym. Once we had enough submissions, I wrote less frequently, although the ideas never stopped coming. When I opened my publishing houses, I had even less time to write. Now, that they are closed, that's changing.

    I'm enjoying reading all of the different paths everyone has read to becoming an author.

    Oh, and I'm glad you survived the cancer, not just for you and your family, but for the writing world and what you bring to it.

    Marci

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    1. I enjoyed your response, Marci and thank you for your kind comments.

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  2. My first novel, a chapter book, was accepted for publication but has yet to appear. In the mean time, I've had four sci fi novels and a book of poetry published.

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    1. You're doing well. And I'm surprised your first book isn't published yet.

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  3. I envy people who can write straight romance novels! It really is hard.

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  4. Beverley, romance is hard to get right. Glad you enjoy the challenge!

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    1. Challenges are always stimulatingg. Thanks Rachael.

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  5. Beverley, I started writing later in life, too. Like you I'm now addicted to it. And I agree, romance is really hard to write. Best wishes for your writing in 2017!

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    1. Thanks, Helena. And best wishes to you for a great year.

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  6. This is the most outstanding illustration of the "if life hands you lemons, make lemonade," I think I've heard. Go you!!!

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  7. I think since ebooks became available writers broke the strangle-hold big publishers had on the definitions of each genres and what they should be. Now romance is in everything as are mystery and the cross genres are amazing and good reading. I've read some of your mysteries and they have romance.

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  8. I agree, Rhobin, about the mixed genres - makes for more interesting reading. And yes, all my books have romance in them along with murder and mayhem.

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  9. Beverley, I am also addicted to writing and I don't want any medicine to make me stop. The worlds we see in our minds and the wonderful people we get to interact with! It's all intoxicating.

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    1. I think most writers are addicted. That world we see in our mind - other people don't get it.

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  10. Beverley, I agree. A romantic element is all very well, but the romance formula in itself is... predictable, whatever the floss it's wrapped in. Also, it is a dangerous myth. Meet the right mate, and live happily ever after. I've never known that in real life. More like, "If this marriage is not perfect, my partner must be the wrong one. Time for a trade-in!"
    And your writing is probably one of the things keeping the cancer from returning. Creative activity is great for keeping the immune system in top shape.

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    1. I agree with your take on the romance formula. Even if it's not a trade-n - it's usually a lot of hard work.
      And I think you could be right, about my writing - that and a positive attitude.

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  11. Thanks for your insight...And links to other writers!

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  12. You are so right! Romance isn't easy, nor is romantic suspense, one of my favorite genres. Good for you for making lemonade out of lemons. Wonderful post!

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  13. As a breast cancer survivor twice over, I can attest to how that makes you look at your life. I've always been a firm believer in things happening for a reason. You just have to work out what that reason is.

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    1. Nice to meet another one. And I agree - things happen for a reason and you just have to figure the reason out.

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