My Writing Path
Whenever I was asked, as a child, what I wanted ‘to be’ when I grew up, I never told people the truth, that I wanted to be a writer. I was worried they’d laugh at me, that they’d think I was being silly. After all, the dream of becoming a published author does sound unattainable. Now that I’m a grown-up, however, I am happy (and proud) to admit that I want to be a writer. And do you know what? I am a writer. I haven’t had a book published (yet), nor have I won a writing competition, but I write every day. It’s as essential as breathing is for me – I have to write.
I have always loved writing (and reading). When I was at primary school, I had a letter printed in the girls comic, Mandy. It was the start of my writing career! In my spare time, I wrote poems and short stories; I even put together an anthology of Enid Blyton type short stories.
English was always my favourite subject at school, and I went on to do an English degree (no surprises there then). After my graduation in 1999, I wrote short stories from time to time, but I never did anything with them. Then, in 2003, I stopped writing altogether. I wanted to write, but I didn’t have anything to write about. I wouldn’t even try putting pen to paper to see what, if anything, came out. In 2005, I started writing again, the emphasis being on poetry this time. But it wasn’t until the end of last year that I started taking my writing seriously.
I browsed through Julia’s Cameron’s, ‘
The Artist's Way
, and adopted one of her suggestions in a bid to get the creativity flowing. I wrote three pages of nonsense (literally the first thing that came into my head) every day, thereby clearing my mind of trivialities and worries. Soon enough, ideas for stories, and even a novel, were coming through. I also read ‘
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within’ by Natalie Goldberg, which gives useful advice. I bought
‘Novel Writing: 16 Steps to Success’ by Evan Marshall, which has enabled me to plan my novel. I subscribed to Writing Magazine, and then discovered Writer’s Forum magazine. Both contain invaluable advice, and I have entered three Writing Magazine short story competitions so far this year.
‘
How to Write for Magazines…in One Weekend’ by Diana Cambridge, has enabled me, so far this year, to have two viewpoints published in The Lady magazine, and two reader letters printed, one in Cosmopolitan magazine, the other in Writer’s Forum.
I am currently working on my novel; I have a short story on the go, which is for a competition. I am also writing letters, viewpoints and articles. As for the future, I have booked a place on a writing for children course in November, and I intend to do a freelance writing course. My next goal is to get more of my work published. In the meantime, I feel so much more fulfilled. I am writing every day, and it’s a pleasure to do so.