Origins to Ignite the Writing Spark

Writing begins with an idea. Playful. Creative. Adventurous. But calling ourselves writers travels beyond the labyrinth of story roads each writer possesses to find that special place inside. It's a place where humble, yet steadfast confidence rests, waiting to grow and spark new inspiration.

I'm proud to be a part of the Origins Blogfest - the brain child of DL Hammons of Cruising Altitude, which is co-sponsored by three of my awesome blogging buds, Alex Cavanaugh, Katie Mills aka Creepy Query Girl, and Matthew MacNish of The QQQE.

My writing origins, or should I say interest in storytelling, began early in my life. As a child, I loved to retell stories that were read to me, old family tales, nursery rhymes, or even the Bible stories told to me at Catholic school. I used to dream in pictures and then wake up, having to act the story out. My best peeps were my stuffed animals, hence one reason I LOVE writing picture books!

Later on, in middle grade and high school, reworking movies I watched was a favorite pastime of mine. I could never resist dissecting a film, scene, or even a character's persona, and try to find my own little movie within that story. I'd ask questions like Why did the writer do that? Would I want that character to act that way? How come that scene came before this one? The questions were basically endless, and I drove my friends crazy with them. I can't tell you how many times I heard Would you just shut-up and watch!

I'd love to tell you that I was an avid reader as a child/tween/teen. Yeah, I wasn't. But I did write. In journals. It was personal therapy for me, a tween/teen growing up in a small mill town filled with way too many French relatives.

For me, that humble yet confident place inside peeked its head above the waves of marriage and motherhood approximately four years ago. My children were still young and needed me, but not as hands-on as in the past. I decided to revive the art of journaling. Then I began to read, everything I could get my hands on. I was addicted.

A year later, I wrote a short story that took 2nd place in a local writing contest. OMGosh....someone liked what I'd written. I had never felt such a surprising jolt of confidence, before. I then wrote my first YA novel--thankfully that work will never see the light of day - met a local writer (Hi Marcy!) who totally inspired me, and then started Writers' Ally. From there, all she wrote!! (And I mean that in the best pun possible.)

My confidence as both a person and writer has taken a personality of its own and I'm proud of that. I'll continue to quietly work on my projects, seeing each to their ends of flourishing.

Just keep swimming....
Just keep swimming....
Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming....

For more origin stories, check out the other participants HERE!! There are at least 188!! Inspiration is all around us, today! And don't forget about Oasis for YA's That's YAmore Blogfest, which began Feb. 11th and runs until tomorrow. You can still join us!! I'll post my ooey-gooey story tomorrow!!