I've decided to be the cat at WriteOnCon. It's a mistake I'm sure since 1,400 people have registered, but I want to conceal my identity.
Only now I've just told it to you, so you know. But it's OK if my friends know it's me--I'm actually hoping that will generate friendly input.
I mean, I can only imagine these online conferences combined with their already bursting email inboxes make these guys want to go postal. So perhaps if they don't know it's me, once they cool off a bit, I can dupe them into looking at my stuff again.
I also got a partial request Friday (whoot!) that asked me to include a short bio. It's happened before but this time it got me thinking about when I knew I wanted to be a writer.
There was never that one moment where I said out loud, "This is what I will do." I just always did it, and by the time I was graduating high school I was filling in the blank for "What you want to be when you grow up?" with "Writer."
Hmm... I guess this means I've grown up! Wow. When did that happen?
So DL's doing his high drama blogfest. I'm not really doing a festival or tour, but I wonder when did YOU realize you wanted to be a writer?
Or going past that because I've got all sorts of professions reading this. When did you decide you wanted to be a doctor? A chef? A business owner?
What was the first thing you did (that you can remember) in your chosen profession? For me, it was Fury Woman.
Fury Woman was a "graphic novel" I penned (literally with a ballpoint) as an elementary school kid. She was a scientist who spilled acid on her face. The result was giant eyebrows and a huge mole.
I remember us tossing around for a name. I liked the sound of Pride and Prejudice, so we grabbed the ole Thesaurus and came up with Dignity and Detriment.
So that's my origin story. Now you share. Scarlett, I want to hear about your first baking experience, and writers, that first book. Engineers, what was your first building, and doctors, your first patient. Hopefully it wasn't the little girl down the street... Hello!
And now for the Awards show!
Blogging is tough. Agents tell us reclusive writers we have to "network," so we start these little sites and then it's just one more thing to keep up with... For a while.
Well, it's my turn to hand out the gifts. And I put it off because, heck! This is hard. I'd give everyone who regularly reads and comments here an award--maybe I'll invent that one. Visit here, get an award.
I figured out how to do this next award. It goes to some of my new superstar blogging buddies who are great supportive commenters, but who are up to their ears in bling already. I'm throwing you guys a curve-ball.
The Mayan "End of Days" award. The way this one works is you have to say what three things you'll do if the Mayans are right and the world is going to end on Dec. 21, 2012. I mean, before that.
And finally, my newbie bestie award. (Awww...) This one goes to new friends who have become close friends just through the process of blogging. Imagine.
As for writing... I always DREAMED of it, but I thought it was like that movie star thing... REAL people didn't become writers! So while I journaled and wrote plots for years, my first actual ATTEMPT came when I was 26--I wrote half of a horror novel. The fan fiction taught me how to finally FINISH a darned book.
The first time I knew I was a writer...hmmm. Well, like so many of "us," I wrote stories, poetry and essays since I could hold a crayon. But I didn't know I was a writer until I posted a story to Writing.com and began receiving feedback from other writers. I was like, whoa. THEY think I'm a writer. Am I?
And just yesterday, I got a rejection letter from Crazyhorse (lit. mag.), which made me feel like a real writer! Ha!
I read you often but don't often comment. But this inspired me to say...I am a bit jealous of those who say "I'm going to be a..." and actually follow through with it. It takes a different kind of courage than I possess. My admiration for you is boundless.
You are so awesome and have put the biggest smile on my face! Thanks soooo much! As always, I find myself giggling at your witty humor! You really want to know my first baking experience?! I'm afraid you might just loose some respect for me here, but here goes...I was a freshman in college a literally could scorch water! Yes, you can do that. After that pitiful incident, I learned how to make meals from my mom- over the telephone! Long distance cost a pretty good penny then, but she was very patient with me and guided me effortlessly. I didn't do much cooking til I got married and became at stay-at-home mom. I guess a desire for something to do to fill the time gap led me to a new discovery! But!: It is my desire to write that led me to blog about something I enjoy doing. I credit God to hearing my prayers and guiding me to fulfill my goals in accordance to His will. Sounds mundane, but I know He has greater plans! Thanks again, L.T! You're one awesome lady!
I am impressed of your early writerly accomplishments. I wrote from a young age, but I struggled with length and finishing things. I still do. I knew I wanted to be a writer since I at the age of thirteen once sat up all night with words flowing effortlessly from my pen(s - I exhausted three of them that night). I imagined that would be the rule from then on. Needless to say, I was wrong.
My first foray into writing was in 4th grade. I read Trumpet of the Swan and wrote a knock off...Pasha the Swan. Even then I was thinking of Pashas?! I gave it to my teacher to read and she lost it :( Then again in high school I tried YA, with Campfires...don't know where that story went. Hopefully it will never be found. I went to college considering journalism...but now I'm a real estate broker? But writing is what I wake up in the morning for really, it's just taken a LONG time to find myself. So you see, a crappy housing market had it's benefits after all!
GUYS! I'M supposed to be handing out the love! And there it all comes right back... Well, that's the way it works, right?
@Scarlett--OK, you got me. HOW do you scorch water? I don't believe it. ;o) I actually learned to cook via telephone! In college I took a summer job as a "nanny" that included being able to cook dinner for the kids. I'd never cooked a day in my life! Luckily, we all survived.
@Carolyn--Yay! Down housing market = amazing books about cool parallel worlds! :o) LOVE your book. LOVE your blog. Of course, I love all things exotic. Can't wait for it to hit the market.
Congrats on your partial request!! Newest follower and excited to be here. Also Writeoncon is gonna rock. =D See ya there Miss kitty.
Wow! A parial request. Congratulations.
@RaShelle--yay! new freendz! :o) Thanks and welcome to tha pahtie! ;p I haven't been able to get on WOC... :o| And now I have to work.
a sign? but of what???