Indie e-Con 2018 is here! To start off the week, I'm participating in a scavenger hunt. Visit all of these blogs in order to find the clues to complete the following graphic. See Kandi J. Wyatt's blog for all the details on the awesome giveaway.
Clue #13 will be at the bottom of this post, but first, you have to read Jessica Wheaton's writing journey. I'll be telling about the top 5 books/series that shaped me as a writer on E.K. Writes's blog.
Writing Journey
by Jessica Wheaton
For everyone, their writing journey begins somewhere. For me, it started when I was fifteen. I had always loved reading, and had written a few short stories for school and such, but never even attempted anything more. I was content to read the amazing books others wrote.
Then around the time I turned fifteen, my dad had some serious medical concerns, and was given a 50/50 chance of making it through the next three years. Suddenly, normal life became non-existent as my mom attempted to balance family life, my dad’s doctor visits, and still homeschool us.
As most people who know me will tell you, I’m not good at handling emotions. And so instead of talking to people and discussing the things that were going on, I would withdraw and write. In the beginning it was simply because I wanted to get away from everything else and live in a world where everything was all right. As time went on, I realized that I really enjoyed writing … and not just so I could get away. Even as dad improved and life settled back into a routine, I kept on writing. Over the course of the next few years I began to write longer stories, until I had written a short novella.
I had a blog, and I began to post regularly. I Eventually posted some short stories I had written, just to get some feedback. An author I loved had a blog of her own where she interacted with fans, and she hosted a writing contest. I entered and didn’t place the first year, and then won second place the next year. Through her website I met other writers, I began to interact with them. We’d read each other’s stories and give feedback. In the beginning it was just for fun, and then one year I thought it would be cool if I could print off a copy of my novella for myself to have, and to give copies to my family. I began looking into websites where you could order copies of your book, and as I did so, a whole new world opened up to me.
Self publishing.
Up until that time, I thought all publishing was the same. I didn’t realize there was a definite difference between indie published authors and traditionally published authors. As I looked further into it, I met several other homeschooled authors who were willing to answer my questions and teach me how the process worked.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Looking back, I still marvel at how God used some of the worst circumstances in my life to open my eyes to a whole never world that I fell in love with. My dad recovered far beyond the doctor’s expectations, and it’s now been five years since his first diagnosis. Sometimes I wish that my family didn’t have to go through that time, but looking back, I can see how God’s hand worked, even when we couldn't see it. Not only did I discover my love for writing worlds through words, it made us realize how every life is fragile...and not one moment can be taken for granted.
Then around the time I turned fifteen, my dad had some serious medical concerns, and was given a 50/50 chance of making it through the next three years. Suddenly, normal life became non-existent as my mom attempted to balance family life, my dad’s doctor visits, and still homeschool us.
As most people who know me will tell you, I’m not good at handling emotions. And so instead of talking to people and discussing the things that were going on, I would withdraw and write. In the beginning it was simply because I wanted to get away from everything else and live in a world where everything was all right. As time went on, I realized that I really enjoyed writing … and not just so I could get away. Even as dad improved and life settled back into a routine, I kept on writing. Over the course of the next few years I began to write longer stories, until I had written a short novella.
I had a blog, and I began to post regularly. I Eventually posted some short stories I had written, just to get some feedback. An author I loved had a blog of her own where she interacted with fans, and she hosted a writing contest. I entered and didn’t place the first year, and then won second place the next year. Through her website I met other writers, I began to interact with them. We’d read each other’s stories and give feedback. In the beginning it was just for fun, and then one year I thought it would be cool if I could print off a copy of my novella for myself to have, and to give copies to my family. I began looking into websites where you could order copies of your book, and as I did so, a whole new world opened up to me.
Self publishing.
Up until that time, I thought all publishing was the same. I didn’t realize there was a definite difference between indie published authors and traditionally published authors. As I looked further into it, I met several other homeschooled authors who were willing to answer my questions and teach me how the process worked.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Looking back, I still marvel at how God used some of the worst circumstances in my life to open my eyes to a whole never world that I fell in love with. My dad recovered far beyond the doctor’s expectations, and it’s now been five years since his first diagnosis. Sometimes I wish that my family didn’t have to go through that time, but looking back, I can see how God’s hand worked, even when we couldn't see it. Not only did I discover my love for writing worlds through words, it made us realize how every life is fragile...and not one moment can be taken for granted.
Wow!What a journey! Thanks for sharing. ❤️
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thanks for sharing your story!
ReplyDelete