This whole building a platform is a lot of work. I have joined groups, written flash fiction, critiqued work of people I don't know, and spent hours trying to get a blog that represented both me and my work--all this weekend!
What has gone through my mind over and over as I've done this and read other writer's blogs and challenges as they build their platform is: when do they have time to write!
One thing I have gained from this experience is enthusiasm for my craft. Writing can be such a lonely endeavor at times, and supportive as family and friends are, they just aren't interested in reading every story you write. Oh, they say they are, but to get them do it at times boils down to begging. Often, I have asked myself why I go through this year after year, novel after novel, if these books are going to just lay on a shelf (or directory) and no one will get to read them.
Now though, after all the reading and writing of this weekend, this whole platform building project has renewed my hope that there are people around who love to read what writers write and who will critique my work greedily rather than out of obligation. I love that!
So I'm off to gather friends, find a few more critiquing partners and get my two current projects done by the end of this year. I may just write another NaNoWriMo 50K piece as well. I mean, why not. Writing is what I love, it's what I do, and who I am.
Sep 11, 2011
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Imagination sets us free to be whomever we want to be ~ my coffee mug
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About Me
I've been writing most of my life. It was creative essays full of BS that got me through high school and allowed me to write technical documents which led me to a career in computer training and software design.
As a child, my sister locked me in a crypt at a local cemetery and left me there for hours. Some say that is when my imagination took hold and they're probably right. As I watched the sun set through a clover leaf cutout in the heavy door, I imagined all sorts of things.
I am in love with the idea of schizophrenia--not to downplay the seriousness of the illness. The idea that our minds can form other worlds, people, and experiences fascinates me, and shows up in many of my stories. As do sociopaths, and the idea that for most it is easier to follow than lead.
Needless to say, Crime and Punishment and 1984 are two of my favorite novels. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden is the book that peaked my interest in schizophrenia. The Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens taught me the importance of bringing characters to life. And I would be a liar to not say Stephen King influenced a lot of my earlier writing.
Today, my favorite YA books are The Hunger Games Series and Going Bovine. Besides Harry Potter, my favorite MG novels are The Tale of Deveroux, The Golden Compass, and Ink Heart (I know they were movies, but the books are much better). I love epic, complex stories that allow me to escape into new worlds.
Movies of course impact our lives as well. The Wizard of Oz captivated me as a child and has never let go. It is still my all time favorite. I have a confession though, I never liked Dorothy. It was the Wicked Witch of the West and those flying monkeys I loved. Glinda was the true villain. I can't even describe how thrilled I was to read Wicked.
I have become a fan of Studio Ghibli and consider Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away two of my favorite movies right beside Labyrinth and The Never Ending Story.
One last disturbing thing about me: All my morals come from Aesop Fables and Grim Fairy Tales. The most important thing they taught me was if you were blond, pretty, and dimwitted some strange prince would rescue you from life. If not, you had to work hard to get what you wanted and learn to take care of yourself. I always prided myself on my dark hair.
I hope to make my mark in the middle grade/young adult market and share with children the beauty of a wild and vivid imagination.
My Other Love - Sculpting
Since I can't draw or paint, I decided a couple of years ago to try my hand at sculpting. It's lots of fun. Molding is tough, and then what to do with the stuff after. But it keeps me busy on those nights I don't feel like writing.
I plan on sculpting the characters from my novel, The Talent Collector. Starting with the flying nymphs and Mr. Tatalini.
My First Two Busts
My First Troll
My Favorite Troll - My mom has him
My brother wanted an ugly troll
Fun to make a nightmare to mold
For my wall if I ever cast it
My version of Thor
Writer Resources
Followers
Thanks Catherine M Johnson
Balin, I'm the first to comment, yay! Btw, I absolutely love the feel of your blog, the colors, style, it's great! As for your this post, I can't agree with you more. This is exactly how I've been feeling lately. Well, that and extremely negative about what I'm doing *thinking* I'm a writer. It's a tough world for us writers.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I can say is, writers are to writing, as humans are to surviving. It's that simple.
Count me in for connections. I'd love to correspond with you! I'm on She Writes, Twitter (candylynnfite), my blog and then there's always old-fashioned email! candice.fite@gmail.com.
Off to check out the rest of your blog! Thank you for your wonderful comment on my flash fiction. I've never ventured toward the dark side before. It was fun, and I think I liked it! I'm working on a completely different story lately, unlike nothing I've ever written.
See ya around!
Thanks Candy, I can't agree with you more. I need writers in my life. No one quite gets why after each novel when I swear I'll never write another I can't seem to stop myself.
ReplyDeleteI did love your flash fiction. I loved how it flowed. My favorite novel I wrote was done in that flow of conscience style. My protagonist is diagnosed as a schizophrenic, so I wrote it all from her POV.
I'd love to hook up more. That was quite brave of you posting your email address in a blog!