So it is written, so it shall be done.

Hosted by
 DL Hammons, Alex J. Cavenaugh, Matthew  MacNish, Katie Mills

The question for this Origins Blogfest is: When did your writing dream begin?

This is how it happened...

He sat quietly beside me and whispered in my ear; it felt like a cold draft to my right.

The two nights had passed quickly; two bottles of wine and several empty food containers overflowed the trash receptacle at the end of the desk as evidence of occupancy; they would be long gone before the next guest checked in.

I arrived home before my daughter; made a few snacks for the both of us, and waited.

Fed and relaxed my daughter inquired, “So, how did it go, let’s hear it.”

I began to read; close to ten thousand words had been written and when I came to the end my daughter opened her eyes and stared at me; for a moment I wasn’t sure what to expect.

She asked, “Where did you find that? Who wrote that?”

I was stunned and lost for words. I had written it, well, he had helped, but then how do I tell her about him. So I explained it and she nodded then said, “Whoa...that’s a story on its own!”

Another month passed with the deadline fast approaching, I hesitated sending the first chapter; that’s all they wanted - the first chapter and a synopsis. I sent only the chapter...no one gets the synopsis unless I get a nod.

I knew I didn’t meet their criterion, but that never stopped me before; I wasn’t published and I didn’t have an agent - there wasn’t enough time to try and fulfill either before the deadline. 

The outcome of my follow through was remarkable and promising; some letters where exchanged that altered my path in a positive way.

Fast forward a year later…

I attend the SIWC (a three day writers’ conference) and risk everything by having a blue pencil session with Carol Berg, it changed my life forever.

Her words I will never forget: “Here is where you’ve hooked me, I want to know what happens next.” She commented on the voice I wrote in and the way I talked to the reader; but then I reasoned it’s his story, not mine, it should be in his voice. 

Sadly, the author ultimately chosen to pen the much anticipated sequel did not meet with the great success all had hoped for. The greater sadness was that this chosen author had lost sight of the unique voice the original book had been written in - much to the frustration of those it was written for.

Had the time been taken to understand the original book a sequel would never have been entertained...the obvious path can often be the one that hold the most obstacles. 

Suffice it to say my work will be published, but not as a sequel. So it is written, so it shall be done.

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Well...are you intrigued? 

When did your writing dream begin?

Jenny