This week we're talking dreams.
In Katy's words:
This month I have been overwhelming inspired by two
separate blog posts I read in which the blogger quit their day job and
has started on the path to self-employment doing what she loves to do.
If you haven't read Sally from Already Pretty's post on this rush over
and do it now. And then to top it all off my younger sister has
decided to quit her job and start her own business. So that got me
thinking... we all have dreams, goals, aspirations. Putting them down
on paper is often the first step to realizing those dreams.
1. Fess up - if you could do anything professionally what would it be?
I'd write novels while living in a beach house in Puerto Rico or somewhere just as warm. Or at least write novels wherever.
2. What draws you to this?
I love writing (and reading). I love the process of creating a story and working it out the way I can see it in my head. That and I would like to read more books featuring women like me.
3. When did you first start dreaming about this ideal?
No joke, I think I was in Kindergarten. It was the year I started reading novels (I skipped the picture books) and it was the year I started writing down the stories that I wanted my Barbies to live out. And yes, I firmly believe that playing with Barbies sparked my storytelling creativity. Judge her all you want, but I think Barbie did me a world of good.
4. What's holding you back from going all in?
True story: fear. Although I've been working on a novel and as soon as it's finished (soon, soon, soon....) I'm going to take a deep breath and give it out so we can start editing. My problem is that I am so convinced people will (a) hate it or (b) think I'm crazy even though people do keep coming back to read what I write. Or maybe it's just the pictures?
(I am a contributing author in a real book, though, and that's pretty much my claim to fame at this point. Not a novel, but it is my name in print in a book that I pretty much love.)
That and I kind of like having a different day job - it gives me more material to work with and forces me to take advantage of my writing time.
5. Sometimes the first step is the hardest... what's one step you can take now on the way to realizing your dream?
I'm writing. I try to write every day, but I don't push it. Sometimes I don't and that's okay. But yeah, I've been working on a piece since November (NaNoWriMo was the push I needed to get it started - try it if you're into it.) and I hope to finish the first draft in the next two months. So, there's that. After that, who knows? I'll take any and all advice you can offer.
I didn't know you were a contributing author already? Good luck with your project! Can't wait to read it later.
ReplyDeleteI have been writing novels since junior high and have been sitting on a million manuscripts and filled notebooks. I got serious about writing a publishable book a couple years ago, wrote and edited like crazy and then decided to become published independently - it seemed to fit me perfectly. I published the book to Amazon and Barnes & Noble and have made a fair amount from book sales - well, at least enough to make me pursue the next book. I highly recommend looking into that when you finish the book. - Katy
ReplyDeleteVery specific! Mine would be writing for a Manhattan apartment with two dachshunds hehe Wow that's incredible that you started reading novels that young
ReplyDeleteYes! When I saw your post about it on your blog I totally bought it (well done, btw!). I've thought about publishing independently and I might once I start doing research on that. In the meantime, I'm just writing and editing...
ReplyDeleteYeah, I blame my mother. She read a lot to me and I was a very independent kid, so as soon as I learned, I was on my own and I loved it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love dachshunds. They have to be part of my dream, I think...
Ah yes, that fear thing. The "but what if no one likes my work?" I'm familiar with that, certainly (though for me it's generally with theater/choreographic pieces rather than books)... and I think you're right, the thing to do is just keep working, moving forward, and trust that what you do will find its audience and be appreciated. Also, to trust that it WILL be appreciated when it's ready. Good luck with finishing your novel!
ReplyDeleteNo judgment here! I totally wrote stories based on the "lives" of my Barbies. I must've played with Barbies until I was like 14.
ReplyDeleteI've been dreaming to become a writer since kindergarden too. I've had a few publications in newspapers and magazines, but nothing too significant. I think that tmy main problem is lack of prioritizing. I definitelly have to work on this)
ReplyDeletehttp://tri-skelos.blogspot.com/