Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Becoming a Writer (and the Giveaway Winner!)


I've made a breakthrough in my life as a writer. A couple of weeks ago, I confidently stood in front of a group of people and called myself a writer. To many, that may not seem like a big deal. Yet, to me, it was a huge moment. 

I'm not a new writer. I remember as a child writing stories, like the modern version of Rumpelstiltskin starring Kirk Cameron (it was the 80s after all) that my friends and I performed in front of the neighbors. Or the ABC Christmas story I wrote for my parents that my sister unearthed from boxes of old school work and shared with our family on Christmas Eve. Or the short story I bravely submitted in 6th grade to a local magazine and received my first rejection (I wish I still had this!).

But having the courage to follow through on my dream of writing a full-length novel was new. Sadly, I lost the first chapter I wrote when my laptop was stolen over two years ago, but that didn't stop me. I started again, and a little over a year ago, I finished the first draft of my first novel. Since then, I have started a second novel and completed the first draft of my third. Now I'm working on revisions on my third novel. 

I've moved beyond dipping my toes into the pool of writing and have submerged myself entirely. So, after a year of blogging, I've decided to drop "novice" from my title. I hope you continue to follow me along my journey!

And now, the winner of my 1st Blogoversary Giveaway (drum roll, please):


Congratulations!

4 comments:

Kari Marie said...

Congratulations! After three novels, I think you deserved to lose the novice title after the first one!

Andria said...

Yay me! I won!

Yay you! You're a writer! And you're a braver one than I am. :)

J.L. Campbell said...

Hi, Amy,

I'm wondering if I've ever told anybody I'm a writer - in the flesh, I mean. It's such a personal thing and having read that people give one strange looks, I only started telling people about my writing after I had some articles published. Yet, I know being a writer is not about being published. Good on you for recognizing that early. You've done the work, it's time to claim the title.

Angela said...

Congratulations for dropping "novice" from your title. Writing 3 novels is not an easy task, and you deserve a huge pat on the back for that. And standing in front of people and admitting you are a writer isn't always easy, either. I understand that! Kudos to you and best of luck.