My stories took me away from all the bad
things going on around me . . . and they continued to talk to me as I grew
up. My first works were children’s
stories and after my first two, I found out the market at the time was totally
saturated. They were buying books for
ten years ahead! Yikes. So I penned my first teen book and quickly realized–
that just wasn’t the genre’ for me!
A dear friend of mine, international
best-selling author, Kat Martin, said, “Write what you
love to read.” That happened to
be the best advice I’d received as an aspiring writer. One I share as often as I can – in hopes it
will help others. I loved, and still
love to read Indian historicals. My
first book published was Indian historical, Whispering
Sun. I wrote that book because Kat
inspired me to write it! How blessed did
I get? - -By the way - - if you haven’t read Kat Martin … you MUST! Check her out online! http://www.katbooks.com/
Another question I was asked several times
at the conference, “Have you ever thought of quitting –
and not write another book?” Oh, boy,
that is a loaded question. I had to
answer, “Yes.” But then my husband set
me straight. He asked me, “Will you be happy if you
stop writing?” I knew the answer
without thinking – Of course not. Writing is a part of me…it’s who I am.
Writing is something that drives
you. It robs you of your own free will -
- because you can’t stop the stories from coming. It’s inevitable – for me anyway – that while
I’m writing a book – my next book will start forming and try to steal the
keyboard. I have to jot down ideas and
sentences just to make it leave me alone!
I work a full-time job… and the demands of
a family, husband, and all that goes with it … so I must fit my writing into my
evenings and weekends… I set my goals and work as hard as I can to honor my
schedule. When getting tired and
frustrated – like anyone else … I ask myself, “Why am I
doing this? Why am I working so hard to
write? I could be relaxing watching TV or making jewelry… or
….etc.” I would call my sister, Diane,
and she would ask me this most important question. “Who do you write
for?”
You see . . . I do everything for my
family … my husband… my work . . . but guess what … my writing I do for me! It’s the one thing that is all
about me. It’s my passion . . . it’s my
drive . . . it’s my space. No one can change it or do it for me. No one can stop me from writing . . . except
me.
I won’t quit – because I can’t quit. The stories keep haunting me to write
them. It’s like my Tango Of Death story – it haunted me for ten years to write
it . . . and it exploded into a trilogy; Gypsy
Spirit, Partisan Heart and Jewish Soul.
I love to read and I love to write! I
would suspect I’ll be doing both until the day I die.
Ginger, what a great post...and you captured why we write perfectly. I was puny as a child and made up stories to entertain myself. Now, I still make up stories to entertain myself. The difference is that I hope these stories also entertain others. Like you, I just can't stop.
ReplyDeleteCaroline - I know why you thought this was Ginger...because she always speaks to us from the heart. I'm touched that you have had the same experiences as me. I so relate about hoping your stories entertain others... that's why I often say, "Let me take you away." Like you... I just can't stop either. Thank you for sharing.
DeleteAs much as I'd like to take credit for this awesome post...this was done by my blogging partner Rita who has been carrying the load while I swallow in self-pity. She did hit the nail on the head, didn't she.
ReplyDeleteDear friend ... I miss you ... you are in my thoughts and prayers. Get well ... get the house back in shape .. and we look forward to having you back with us real soon! Hugs & kisses your way...Rita
DeleteWell said, Ginger. We have much in common. -:)
ReplyDeleteJoan
Joan ... thank you ... even though you though I was Ginger. It's funny - us writers do understand each other - and we have so much in common . . . maybe that's what makes us good writers. We feel it ... we take time to understand it . . .we sense the wrong and right of it . . . and we care about it. Thank you for connecting . . . Rita
DeleteNice Rita! Spoken by a heart of dedication and acknowledgement in knowing your true self. Great article and hubby sounds like a keeper as well. LOL. Of course, having a dear friend like Kat Martin is added strength if following this crazy path.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. Yes... I often think -- if life had been easy as a child - I might not have known the power of stories that take me from my sadness and situation. It's my greatest hope that my stories 'take the reader away' into another place - where nothing else exists ... but the story I'm weaving.
DeleteHubby is a keeper - he's always supported my passion for writing. And, I must admit, I think he's very proud of my accomplishments. He often says, "I can't write a paragraph - 500 pages .. egads, I sweat thinking about it!"
Oh .. and yes, Kat Martin is such a sweetheart . . . she's a great writer - but an even greater friend. I feel so blessed.
Terrific post. I think you spoke for all of us in explaining why you write.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maryann. I often think I must share things that will help others become better writers. When I speak from the heart - it seems others relate. Thank you ... it's comforting to know you understand me. :) Rita
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