Growing up, I had two hobbies: reading and writing. I would devour The Baby-Sitter’s Club, Sweet Valley Twins, The Magic Attic Club, The Boxcar Children, The Gymnasts, etc. (Quality reading, I know.) The maximum number of children’s books you could check out at one time was 10. Every Saturday, I would check out 10 books, go home and read the first chapter of all of them, then put them in alphabetical order and read those ten books by the time the next Saturday rolled around.
I had notebook after notebook filled with potential stories. I’m always way more interested in creating characters and setting up their backgrounds than actually writing the stories. I wish there was a job market for that! I would get the 5-subject notebooks so I could create 5 different stories. Every once in a while I would actually begin to write the stories and I finished a few (pretty lame) ones.
I’ve never been able to stop reading and writing. Although, with this semester, I haven’t opened up a story in months which is very rare for me and I’m just itching to return to it. I read about 2 novels a week and I’m still a big fan of the library. (Why pay for books when I can get them for free?) I love perusing bookstores as well, but there’s just something special about libraries for me. They hold a unique place in my heart.
When I was younger, there was never a doubt in my mind that one day I would be a published author. I didn’t know if I would write children’s books or adult fiction, but I did know I would write. I would marry and become a stay-at-home mom, writing in my spare time. I never had illusions of being famous but knew I had millions of stories floating around in my head that needed to be told. I would tell them and all of my dreams would come true.
I now know it’s not that easy. Breaking into the publishing world is hard. Writing an entire novel that grips people from start to finish, develops characters successfully, and instills the right visual imagery? Even harder. I don’t have grand illusions anymore that writing novels can become a full-time job for me. I know that even published writers work other jobs, or their husbands work overtime or second jobs to keep food on the table.
But the drive is still in me. I know I have what it takes to become a writer, even though I’m not freelancing as much as I should, going to writing conferences, or even writing for my school newspaper. These are all things that aid writers in furthering their careers and gain them positive experience in the writing field. I need to be doing these things.
I still have ideas that are itching to get out. I have so many stories that need to be told. God has just totally laid it on my heart that He wants me to glorify Him in this way. (Or maybe it’s just MY will.) Once I started my journalism path, I felt that I was living in God’s will for the first time in a long time. I wasn’t stumbling as much as I used to and when I got kicked down, it was easier to get up.
I’m on the right path. Now it’s just up to me to start turning down the right roads that will lead me to the published path.
You could be the next Stephenie Meyer! (Well, writing super popular books, but much better).
I used to be the EXACT same … always writing stories, working on my great teen novel. But it was the character planning and creating I loved…coming up with their names, personalities, looks…
Anyway, I don't think I ever will end up writing a book, but you never know. Wouldn't that be cool?
I LOVE this!! I am so happy you've found your path and there is no doubt in my mind you will end up published. I'll be first in line to buy your books 🙂
Dear Stephany,
I'd buy and read your books. You'd just have to write them first.
Love,
Linda
I almost felt like I was reading about myself in this post! All I can say is that I know EXACTLY how you feel.
I wish you the best of luck in getting published! You can do it, same as I know I can do it! Now we just have to take the steps to get there. 🙂
LOVE Babysitter's Club and Boxcar Children. My mom would love you…she's a librarian!
Great attitude! I love your writing! You'll be great! And I used to LOVE The Gymnasts! I totally forgot about those books!
I totally know what you mean. Planning out stories is my favorite part of the process too! It's just so fun.
I love writing and just recently decided that I need to more of it in my life, whether that be personally or professionally has yet to be seen(I'd like it to be both). Good for you for persuing the path you've started down.
Don't give up on your dreams…I know you can do it!
The Babysitters Club was my favorite:)
I was SO similar to you growing up! Loved to read and write and dreamed of being an author.
I'm not so sure I want to write a book anymore – but I definitely want to WRITE for a living!
I'm pretty sure you took this thought right out of my head and put it in your blog. I was EXACTLY the same. BY THE WAY, Babysitter's Club? Just started getting re-printed. I know. Exciting 😀
Good luck with being published though, seriously. Still a huge dream of mine as well.
Writing is the one (and only thing) I've ever tried to do with me life, and you're right… it is hard. It's really hard. I hope that you have better luck than I have, and please, don't forget us lil folk when you're famous!
I totally relate to this… I feel the same way, that once I turned to writing God showed me how much I was capable of.. Good for you!
Best,
Hannah Katy
Oh my gosh, our adolescent reading material is eerily identical =D And I totally did/do the same thing with the setting up of characters and settings, and then not writing the actual story. (And if I DO write it, it ends up exceedingly lame.)
I loved this post. On the right path, but turning down the right roads…
*smile*
– Abbie
This is in reply to your reply, busy and hectic weekend.. I will email you at the beginning of next week? When my schedule frees up and we can chat life/ty notes!
Best,
Hannah Katy
Ok, sorry for obsessively commenting on your blog. But I loved loved loved the Babysitters Club growing up. My mom would never let me buy any books from bookstores because I would be half way done with it by the time we got home. Now that it is summer, I need to find some good books to read 🙂
i like your attitude. i am also a christian, in school for freelance writing, and working towards publication of a youth fantasy novel! stick with your passion! 🙂