Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Remember, the question is optional!!!
January 8 question - What started you on your writing journey? Was it a particular book, movie, story, or series? Was it a teacher/coach/spouse/friend/parent? Did you just "know" suddenly you wanted to write?
My awesome co-hosts for the January 8 posting of the IWSG are T. Powell Coltrin, Victoria Marie Lees, Stephen Tremp, Renee Scattergood, and J.H. Moncrieff!
Welcome back! School started yesterday. To see my students excited about library and about reading books makes me happy. I'm also giddy that I will be getting my hands on several new releases. Anyone reading Maureen Johnson's Truly, Devious series? The third and final book, The Hand on the Wall, enters the world in just two weeks! I love that the protag is trying to solve a current crime(s) and a cold case from years ago. Mysteries be my thang. Too much? Too hip? Moving right along.
Today's question. My writing journey started long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. That galaxy was seventh grade. By then, I loved reading, so I tried writing short stories based on my beloved genre: mysteries.
Jump to about five years ago. Taking a few college courses even though I had my Bachelor's degree, my English professor asked me why I wasn't writing any books. Good question. I looked into Children's Book Insider at the time, joined a critique group and Twitter, and the rest is history...in the making.
I'm ready to tackle all the things this year. How about you? Back to work? Back to the books? Back to the Keurig for a refill? Back to bed? I'll visit blogs later in the day after a crazy filled day of school.
I'm grateful your English professor asked you that question. Good luck this year.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks!
DeleteKudos to that professor for asking you about writing books. Amazing how something so simple can bring about such great changed! Happy 2020 to you. :)
ReplyDeleteSame to you!
DeleteHi Jennifer, it's hard to get back into the swing of things after taking so much time off for the holidays. Have to admit it's a struggle for me but finding my grove. Have a great New Year!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I need to get it together!
DeleteI'll take back to bed.
ReplyDeleteGood thing you took those extra courses!
I wish. But I have to get to school each morning. Ugh:)
DeleteCute post! Cheers to it all, life, school, writing and coffee :) Happy IWSG day Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI haven't heard of Maureen Johnson, but I'll make a note to look for that series. :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
DeleteYou are in the perfect place to learn and grow your writing skills.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, your English Professor notice your talent and awoke the creativity within you.
Wishing you all the best in the new decade.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Thanks!
DeleteThanks for telling us about Maureen's series. I love mysteries too and just reserved book 1 from my library. Hope you have a great writing year!
ReplyDeleteAny time!
DeleteYour enthusiasm for your reading, students, and your writing is wonderful. Glad your professor gave you a nudge.
ReplyDeleteI do love my job!
DeleteI haven't slept much already in 2020, so that will probably be a theme as it has been for the last 10 or 20 years. And yeah, there's alot of coffee, too. Here's hoping there's tons of writing and books in there as well!
ReplyDeleteTons of coffee. Get some sleep!
DeleteSounds like your teacher pushed you in the right direction indeed. Back to bed works for me too.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Same!
ReplyDeleteI think we all loved reading first. Seventh grade is definitely a different universe ;)
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, it is.
DeleteIt's nice having those unexpected pushes in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteIt helps me remember to encourage young readers and writers!
DeleteHaving encouragement helps a lot. Congratulations on your books. Enjoy writing them and watching the students reading them.
ReplyDeleteYes! Thanks!
DeleteYour enthusiasm in this post is just what I needed. (Ready to host a Twitter chat in like three minutes. EEK!) I'm glad you took the hint from your professor and started writing. Wishing you loads of blessings during this new year!
ReplyDeleteProbably the caffeine talking, er, writing! Same to you!
DeleteWhat a great post! 7th grade seems to be the ticket for a lot of IWSG writers to begin writing. And good for you that a professor asked why you weren't writing as well. More power to you in 2020!
ReplyDeleteGive it up for middle school!
DeleteIt sounds like you are ready to jump into the year ahead and grab those writing opportunities. All the very best.
ReplyDeleteI think you were always meant to be a writer, it just took a little bit of encouragement. Hopefully you can pass that on to your own students too!
ReplyDelete