A Beginning

from the archives...February 8, 2008

Everyone's career in writing begins somewhere. I have vague memories of a love for poetry, collecting favorites through books and notes I jotted down, even attempting my own verse, most of which became melodramatic whimpers of youth that I now, with great humility, shake my head at. I remember listening to stories told by my mentors, family members and teachers; reading books from the time I was small of great adventures, classic novelists, many of which influenced me then and still do. I even remember with fondness grade nine English grammar lessons, memorizing the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner by Coleridge. I know, it sounds crazy: English and grammar described in the same sentence as fondness. It happened again in University when I developed a love for writing papers. Alas, I was doomed.

These, though, are only mere snippets of a beginning. It really began, I suppose, with a snapshot thought, a story without a structure that only became more once I dared plunk myself in front of a computer and let my thoughts flow. That image, that thought, that beginning was the start of my first novel eight years ago. From there I exploded. The stories in my head became consuming, at times unable to keep up, and I've come a long way since.

Now, I seem to have some control over keeping up with my thoughts. I can type faster, for one. And I have learned to let some thoughts go, or to set them aside for later use. And I write everything; stories, letters, essays, thoughts, books, notes (yes, my husband will attest to the post its and little ditties that run on and on, yammering about a grocery list, kids homework and to-do lists.)

I love writing. It engulfs me daily, sometimes even wakes me at night. So I continue on, pushing forth in the literary world with high aspirations to have a book set upon a shelf in the near future. In the future at any point, really.

So this will be the beginning of yet another stone on my path. I hope from here I may spark a thought for discussion, enable a connection to the literary world or inspire anther to pick up that proverbial pen. If nothing more, I have found a place to vent thoughts to all of you, dear readers, so I may clear my mind to make room for more. Maybe a few of my prose will intertwine themselves here amongst my thoughts and my ever opinionated views on the world. Because those will likely surface, too.

I leave you with an 'adieu' and a quote from a great literary inspiration; one who will be joining me frequently in this diary I am sure. And for now, it is her picture that will appear instead of mine. Hmmm. I'll need to find one of those...

"I have dreamed in my life, dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they have gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind."

Emily Bronte 'Wuthering Heights'