What I've Learned

I did not pursue creative writing consistently in college. As a result, I barely have half a notebook of writing from that season of my life—all creativity hammered out of me by exhaustion and study rigor. At some point, I felt I had lost something previously obsessively inexorable from my identity— creative writing. So when ideas seemed to gush forth from me as a teenager like an ever-flowing fountain, I put writing before all else. I ignored subjects that did not interest me in high school. Instead, I sat in the back of the classroom with my notebook and pen and wrote— to the chagrin of my parents and teachers, and failed high school algebra.

My first novel was written in 2007-2008 when I graduated high school. I feel my inexperience is dwarfed by my concept. Nevertheless, I have read it, and correcting it will take a painstaking effort. Over the years, its narrative has changed, morphing beyond the initial concept. I feel it is too big and not the season every time I return to it. So, it lays in a box in my garage, sealed with duct tape and promises of eventual return. Technically, there are two novels in that box. The second is the first’s sequel and a plan for the third. The initial plan was a trilogy. At the time, I was enamored with the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien.

But, unfortunately, what had once come second nature now comes with effort. It's been a slog. Sometime between college, several chronic illness diagnoses, and beginning a family, two decades passed. I had not written my break-out novel or pursued publishing my work. Though wanting to write something worthwhile never abandoned me, I found faith. I wanted to write and publish for the glory of God rather than for myself. I gained an inordinate amount of time (the COVID-19 Pandemic) to pursue writing between corralling two young children and being a stay-at-home mom. (We are incredibly blessed that I can stay home.) As a result, I felt led to place deadlines on myself and accomplish something.

Jumpstarting my career, now in my 30’s, began rocky. The reality is that it is still shaky from time to time. But I rely on God, not on my plans myself. God has cultivated discipline in me. I began focusing on writing my break-out novel and submitting short stories. I pray I keep learning from my experiences; God grants me the wisdom to know which stories to pursue and which are fruitless. Despite difficulties and setbacks, I feel encouraged.

Unfortunately, finding a home for my work was difficult. There were several missteps. (Though I like to think of them as learning opportunities.) I submitted short stories everywhere that would take them with little to no success. Rejection and frustration led to my using TheProse, a less-than-ideal/reputable experience, which led me to find Vocal Media. Vocal Media has become the warehouse for my short stories, a platform granting me a host for my fiction and making limited funds. I have readers for my break-out novel, called Edain. In addition, I have a campaign of short stories called the Thyrame Chronicles, released almost weekly. I am chronicling my experiences and publishing them. I have even participated in Vocal+ Challenges. I plan on publishing Edain once it is edited entirely. Unfortunately, I have little idea for a potential publisher, but I hope to continue learning as I proceed forward. A beloved professor once told me that “any day not spent learning something new is a day wasted,” I plan on living my life by those wise words.