On Writing

                October has ended, and November has shaken her red and yellow leaves over my backyard. While it is slightly warmer today than usual, I look forward to the crisp autumn chill that settles in the air in November. The jack-o’-lanterns have collapsed, and Halloween candy has been consumed, but the magic of the holiday season lies ahead. I look forward to all the cozy comforts that embody this time of year.

                I created this blog to talk about writing because I find it helpful in my writing process to read about other writers and how they write, draft, and edit. Writing blogs are such a valuable resource. Author interviews are often full of wonderful information from authors who have already been published and continue to write even more. So, I’m putting my words out here, too, in the hopes they can help other writers as well.

                Writing is something that both comes easily to me and doesn’t come easily at all. Every writer out there probably experiences this constant struggle. Sometimes the words flow, and no matter what you do, you can’t stop them from tumbling out. And there are other times when the well is empty, and you’re left trying to claw your way back to the surface. The more I read about the experience of other writers- their struggles and successes throughout the process, whether they are published or still trying, the less I feel alone. Writing can be solitary, but it doesn’t have to be.

If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.

Toni Morrison

                I hope as you visit this page, my words help you. I’m going to use this space to talk about writing and editing, my progress, the rejections and all the in between moments where I’m either pulling my hair out over a single scene or feeling blissful that I finally got that one scene right. Consider this first post a bit of an introduction to me and my writing style. I hope to spark a safe place where you can talk about your writing and your process too. As someone who interacts with other writers daily, I am here to say that I am rooting for everyone. Every story and every idea that is leaping or fighting its way out of you- I want to read, and I hope that we all find the success we are looking for as we continue to stare at a blank page and let the words come.

                As for me, I write what I like to think of as a variety. I can’t seem to stick to one genre. I love writing fantasy, horror, science fiction, romance, and everything in between. I write short stories, novels, and poetry. Sometimes my works are a blend of these. I enjoy exploring the different passageways my mind might take when writing a new story. I am a panster. Outlining a story from beginning to end rarely works for me. I like to watch a story unfold, learn about the characters on the way and see where the story is going next. Because of this, I tend to have more editing on the backend. I write myself into plot holes and have to dig my way back out. My characters aren’t always as clear as I thought they were. In the past year, I’ve learned that it can take multiple drafts to get a story to the point where I feel like it’s ready. Ready to submit to a magazine. Or ready to send to the first round of editors or beta readers. After I get feedback, I realize how not ready the piece actually was. And then I study the feedback I got, think about it critically and decide how to chip away at the changes that need to be made before the story feels right again.

                It takes time. A lot of time. But it’s worth it when I feel like the story finally feels the way I always meant to. When readers are writing back to me about the emotional impact it left them with. Then it’s worth it.

                One day, I hope my stories can reach more readers. Right now, I work with a small group of different beta readers (and yes! I’m related to a lot of them). But I hope that as I learn and grow and expand my writing, that I can meet other writers to read and swap work with too. My plan for this blog is a lot like my writing. I have ideas, but no solid outline. I hope that by talking about my writing and editing process, that I will meet more writers and editors like me, who want to see our stories in the world and are desperate to get better at telling them.

                I’m a storyteller. I consume stories by reading and writing as voraciously as I can while still working hard at my day job and trying to be the best mom I can be and a great partner to my husband. I’m learning balance. Patience. And that editing is an even longer process than writing in the first place.

                Welcome to Of Worlds Forgotten. I hope you find the doors wide open to your next story. All you have to do is walk through it. I’m excited to walk beside you.