Monday, February 13, 2012

Book Chat Special: Origins Blogfest

DL Hammons (Cruising Altitude 2.0) writes, "I’m proud to announce that on February 13th, one of my cohorts from the Déjà vu Blogfest…Katie Mills (Creepy Query Girl)…along with Alex J. Cavanaugh and Matthew MacNish  (Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment), will be co-hosting with me the ORIGINS blogfest.  Here’s a synopsis of what will happen on that date for you to use in spreading the word:  On Monday, February 13th, you should post your own origin story.  Tell us all where your writing dreams began.  It could be anything from how you started making up stories as a child, or writing for the school newspaper, or even what prompted you to start a blog.  How about stories about the first time somebody took an interest in your writing, or the teacher/mentor that helped nudge you along and mold your passion, or maybe the singular moment when you first started calling yourself a writer.  It all started somewhere and we want you to tell us your own, unique, beginnings."


Before I was a reader or writer, I was a dreamer, an imaginer of worlds. We’re sometimes called Pisces. *winks* A simple bus ride to school had me staring out the window and daydreaming. Then, with reading, I couldn’t get enough of the worlds, the characters writers created. Authors were like the coolest people out there (still are).

These worlds inspired me to play in them. First I started in Phantom of the Opera role-playing games (RPGs). Then, I moved on to Harry Potter. I loved J.K. Rowling’s world so much and couldn’t wait for the next books, so I decided to write fan fiction. Why wait when I can make up my own stories using her world? I enjoyed fan fiction and role-playing, but after hundreds of thousands of words for almost ten years of time made me itch to try my own world.

In 2006, I had the idea of taking one of my role-playing characters and create a world for her of my own. This was the birth of Yssa and the Phoenix trilogy. I did nothing with this world for three years, but I loved daydreaming about it.
I really did come late to writing with publication in mind. I was almost twenty-seven when I started my first novel (The Phoenix Prophetess). I had started a new job a month before and found myself with time on my hands. When I don’t have library work to do, I could do anything I wanted—within reason, of course—so I decided to sit and start that novel. I wrote the first chapter and sent it to my friend Christine Rains and my sister Kara. They encouraged me to keep writing, so I did. Nine months later I completed the first draft of The Phoenix Prophetess. I had also brushed off two old short stories and started submitting them. When I got my first acceptance from my first submission, I was shocked and hooked. Everything took off from there, and I wouldn’t change a moment of it now.
If you told me ten years ago I would be a writer, I would’ve scoffed at the notion. Me? A writer? Whatever. I was rather dismal in English classes. Grammar and stuff I rocked. Paper writing, not as much. But I believe through time, I found my place as a writer.

27 comments:

Miranda Hardy said...

I love the daydream factor. An imagination is the most important thing. I used to pretend to be a mermaid all the time. I have yet to write a mermaid story, though. Lol

Aubrie said...

Great origin story! I loved to daydream as well. It got me through all those math classes! LOL

farawayeyes said...

You certainly did. "Find your place as a writer."

M.J. Fifield said...

There are Phantom of the Opera role playing games? How did I not know this??

Great story...this is such a fun blogfest. I love reading about how everyone got started. =)

Sarah Tokeley said...

Day dreaming is the most important apprenticeship for writing fiction :-)

Nicole Zoltack said...

I've always loved to daydream and still do!

Unknown said...

The world would truly be a grey place without dreamers like you in it. Thanks for sharing your story.

Emily R. King said...

We all started as daydreamers. I'm glad you found your place as a writer. I'm still working to find mine, ha!

Spanj said...

Authors really are the coolest people!

BTW You've been tagged! Check out my blog for 11 random questions to answer about yourself.

Marta Szemik said...

Ahh, daydreaming, the place where ideas are born, inspirations nurtured ;)

Christine Rains said...

Great origins story. I think you were always a writer and didn't know it. ;) I always daydreamed too. Still do! I'll be here continuing to encourage you. Your worlds are fabulous!

Julie Flanders said...

I'm glad you found your place! I can relate to the scoffing, if someone had told me 10 years ago I'd be writing I would have thought they were nuts. It's funny how things have a way of working out. Great story!

Christine Tyler said...

I got distracted and could not stop feeding your koi in the side bar XD

I'm a fellow campaigner!
The Writer Coaster
christinetyler.net

Brinda said...

I enjoyed reading this post and finding someone else who placed themselves in adventures as a child. Congratulations on your success as a writer!

Heather Day Gilbert said...

Nice to meet you via the blogfest! Interesting how we all started at different points in our lives.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Role-playing girls are just so awesome.
And you weren't as late to the game as I was.
Thanks for participating in the blogfest.

DL Hammons said...

A lot of aspiring writers have cut their teeth on fan fiction. I'm glad that you've followed your heart to where you are now.

Thank you for sharing your ORIGIN with us today! :)

Alleged Author said...

What an awesome Origins story!

Trisha said...

I've always been a dreamer too, but I ain't no Pisces - they sometimes call me a Leo ;)

Great "origins" story, Cherie!

Unknown said...

I love how you decided to be a writer! It seems the idea was always there for you.

Tara Tyler said...

support and encouragement from friends and family is crucial!
great beginning!

nutschell said...

Daydreams are where all those ideas begin. :)

I'm glad you found your place as a writer.

Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Misha Gerrick said...

Yeah my gran already had both children in school before someone challenged her to write something for radio. Just goes to show you there's never too early or late to start. :-)

Anonymous said...

Great origin story... really enjoyed reading your journey.

Deniz Bevan said...

Great story! It's always nice to have supportive readers around.

Scarlett said...

Daydreamers unite!

Gemini here ~ The best of both worlds!
I'm glad I stopped in, Cherie!

Whoops! I'm outta breath! Had to run to the neighbors and put their horses back in the barn! Talk about daydreaming, well... duskdreaming, anyway. I was having all sorts of visions of creepiness walking through the woods searching for horses.

Back to you. *g* It's nice *meeting* you here in the Fest!

Jeremy Bates said...

I love to read your story its cool! make more story freind.:)