Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Road Trip Wednesday – When/Why did you start writing?
When/why did you start writing?
The first story I remember writing was when I was eight. Our teacher had, for some reason, asked us to write about tea. I can’t imagine why. Maybe she meant the meal, and was expecting a nice tale about fish fingers and chips and family time.
I wrote about a magic tea bag.
When the blonde, eight year old heroine, of the tale poured hot water on it, the genie was released and she got three wishes.
The first wish went horribly wrong, the second wish put everything right. Then Her Majesty The Queen arrived and decided the tea bag should be put in a glass case in Buckingham Palace. So the country had it, if we ever needed it.
Even at eight I obviously had an eye for a sequel or potential series.
In the years that followed I wrote many stories about Princess and magic and heavily ripped off versions of books I loved. Then it just kind of petered out. I guess I got busy with exams and colleges and writing seemed something you left in childhood.
Until 2008, when we moved to Washington. I couldn’t get a job and so started a blog, through which I meet the fabulous Joelle Anthony. One day, when I was whining about having nothing to do and needing a change she suggested I tried writing. So I did, because I’d always secretly wanted to.
I wrote the openings of several stories and got bored. I decided I had to at least finish one novel, even if it was dreadful. So I signed up for NaNoWriMo and wrote my truly dreadful fantasy novel. Then I immediately started Emma Undone, which had been nagging at me all through November.
I revised it and revised it and revised it and revised it some more.
Until finally it is something I am proud of. Something I will let other people read.
Even if Emma never gets read published. I can’t imagine I’ll ever stop writing. I love it too much. It’s become to much of who I am.
So when/why did you start writing?
I loved that you had idea for a series at the age of 8. I totally loved the first story too, I think it would make a great picture book.
Nice story.
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I love this post, Alexa! Your first story sounds adorable. I'm with Erinn–it would make a great picture book.
I still have the first book I ever wrote. I was in 6th grade and a visiting author came, named Kayo Robertson (He used to write regional–mountain Western–stuff for kids.). At any rate, we wrote books, and I wrote a rhyming story about a page who delivers letters to fairy tale characters. The book has envelopes in it that you can open, and letters that you can read. I ripped it off a book somewhere, too. 🙂
I'm so proud of you and of EMMA! It's truly a great story. You have a gift and are hardworking–a great combination.
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I used to think Nano was a crazy idea but now I'm starting to understand how it might work. And the magic teabag is definitely a kids book waiting to happen!
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What a lovely story the magic teabag sounds! You should definitely pitch that. I started writing when I was about 13. Fan fiction. Embarrassing, yes, but it was good practise and a lot of fun.
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NaNo is such a wonderful motivator. And I LOVE the title Emma Undone!
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You started with a story about a magic tea bag and the Queen of England? That is too awesome for words.
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A magic tea bag and a genie and the Queen…. May I have your mind, please?
Freakin' awesome.
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Erinn- thanks. Maybe I'll try a picture book 🙂
Kim – you're story sounds so cute. Thanks about Emma and for all your help and input 🙂
Rhiannon – I'm sure I wrote fan fiction without realizing what it was. I only recently found out fan fiction was a thing. Obviously a bit slow 🙂
Michelle – it is and thanks!
Lelia – lol that's me 🙂
The BLS – I need it a bit longer 😉
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