Monday, February 13, 2012

Where It All Began: Origins Blogfest


 
So, today is the Origins Blogfest. You can join at Alex Cavanaugh's blog

A short rundown on the rather self-explanatory rules:  Tell us all where your writing dreams began. It all started somewhere and we want you to tell us your own unique beginnings.

Several years ago (I guess about 3 1/2), my good friend and writer let me read her work in progress. At that time, I hadn't written a single word since my goofing around with short stories back in my college days. But we were members of the same book club, and I asked her if she needed someone to read her work and offer feedback.

After I gave her some comments, she said, Hey, you should write your own book. I thought, There's no way. But the idea percolated. And soon enough (about a year) I had my first manuscript written. 

Then I started another manuscript. I entered my first chapter (of the 1st ms) in a contest at LDStorymakers Conference in 2010--the first conference I ever attended--and I won first place.

For the first time I thought, Ya know, I might be okay at this writing stuff. 

I now have three completed manuscripts and two on the way. And I'm lucky enough to have sold my second novel. 

So, I guess I can't say that I've dreamed of being a writer all my life. But I feel like I'm living the dream now.

As I look back, I see how everything has fallen into place in a very miraculous way. I hope I don't offend anyone by saying that I firmly believe my success is directly related to some serious sacrifices I made a few years ago on behalf of other people. To quote a common hymn, "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven." To find out what I believe, click here.

PS: As with all blogfests I join, if you follow me, I'll follow you. (That should be the title of a song!)

40 comments:

  1. Very informative publish here. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me.

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    1. Hey Jeremy, thanks for stopping by. I keep trying to link back to your blog, but for some reason blogger won't let me. I'll try again tomorrow.

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  2. Great post, Julie. And it's so interesting to see the different paths people have taken to end up in this crazy world of writing. I enjoyed reading this!

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    1. Hi Erin! Thanks for that! It is amazing how every story is so different.

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  3. This is such a great blogfest, to see how people came to be writers. Good thing you listened to your friend.

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    1. Hi Patti, nice to meet you. I'm glad I listened to her too. I am loving everyone's unique stories of writing.

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  4. Sometimes you don't know what path you should be on until someone points you in the right direction. Friends are always good for that. Great story.

    New follower *waves*

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    1. Hi Theresa, thanks for stopping by and for following. *waves back*

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  5. I think it's wonderful that you found your love of writing - keep at it! And congrats on 100 followers :)

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    1. Nice to meet you S. L. Hennessy. It seems like it's taken me forever to get 100 followers. I don't think I'm that great at the whole blogging thing.

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  6. Hi! Thanks for sharing your story! I'm stopping by from your campaign group. Nice to meet you!

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    1. Hi Laurie, thanks for coming over here. I still have tons of people to visit in my campaign group. Thanks for following.

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  7. I never thought about sacrifices you made being compensated for with your writing success.

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    1. Brooke, there's actually quite a bit more to this story than you already know. Perhaps I'll fill you in on the rest sometime. Perhaps...

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  8. Hi Julie! I loved reading about your journey to writing. Congrats on selling your second novel. I'm now following.

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    1. Suzie, so nice to meet you. I love your profile picture! Did you take that yourself?

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  9. Congratulations on living the dream! I am hoping to get there someday, as well, but for now just enjoying the writing process. Thanks for sharing your story!

    Allison (Geek Banter)

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    1. Thanks Allison. And thanks for following. I checked out your blog and it's pretty cool. Maybe I've got some geek in me too. :)

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    2. haha. I like to think everybody does, at least a little bit! Thanks for stopping by.

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  10. Interesting story about how you started writing. I was just dropping by to say 'Hi!' to a fellow YA Campaigner. I have a writing blog with Wordpress called mywithershins (because my first published novel is called Withershins) I've had trouble commenting on people's blogs using my Wordpress identity. There is a link to My Witherhsins on my Humpty Dumpty blog site. One of my posts tells the story about how I got drawn into the writing world, if you're interested in checking it out. The post is in the January Archives and titled Fan Fiction. :)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. I checked out your books and they sound very interesting. Nice to meet you!

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  11. I think it is awesome how things have worked out for you. I used to write stories just to show friends and family. I justed liked to see them smile and say, "Holy crap dude! That is a wild story." My buddy Rev over at Attitude and Pepperspray was talking to me at work and said I should start a blog and see what happens. I did and now I have one short story published, five more possibly will be published this year, and a poem to be published that I just recieved the acceptance letter for in the mail today. Crazy how things work out.

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    1. It is crazy how things work out. Congratulations on another acceptance letter! That's totally awesome!

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  12. Nice to meet you too. Thanks for stopping by and following!

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  13. Did you sell another book or are you just saying the one you sold was the second one you wrote?

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    1. I guess I should have been more clear. Sold the second novel I wrote. The first one, Burning Amber, is now back under consideration after serious revisions. Keep your fingers crossed.

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    2. That would be so exciting! I love Burning Amber.

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  14. Hi Julie, I'm a new follower (from over at the campaign!) it's nice to meet you, it's also really nice finding out how you started out and that it's working out, congratulations on selling your second book!

    It's nice to meet you :)

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    1. Hi Patricia, thanks for stopping by and following. I'm really loving reading everyone's stories of how they got started in writing.

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  15. Ya know, I might be okay at this writing stuff. Amen, sister! What a wonderful revelation that is! :)

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  16. Your story is an inspiration to all writers. Winning first in your first submission? That's a great best case scenario played out. Thanks for reading mine and visiting my randoomblog. I'll follow along now.

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    1. I did feel pretty darn lucky winning that contest. My friend said, You should have seen your face! I guess I was surprised. Thanks for stopping by and following!

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  17. Hi Julie! Loved your origin story! Stopping in from the campaign to say hi!

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    1. Thanks! The origins bloghop has been so interesting. Thanks for coming over to say Hi!

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  18. Congratulations on selling that 2nd book! I was certainly inspired by your origins post. Great to meet you on this blogfest.

    your newest follower,
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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    1. Hi! Just checked out your blog and I loved it. Thanks for stopping by!

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  19. Julie ~ Fun! I thoroughly enjoyed a little tour through your blog and website. First, the snake tooth lodged in your finger On YOUR Honeymoon? Ew. *g*
    Second, really like your name choice! *Big Grin*

    Your little snippets about the books you've written sound incredibly interesting! Love the adult themes in YA novels. Unique and intriguing story ideas!

    It's funny how different and the same all writer's journeys are. Similar in that, we all end up in the same place... Writer's Heaven. Where our words flow effortlessly and call backs are a sure thing.

    Looking forward to reading more!
    Awesome *meeting* you here in the Fest!

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    1. Haha! I wanted a name that sounded like it could really be from England, and I have friends over there with a daughter named Scarlett, so I used it! Good name.

      I just checked out your blog and loved it! Thanks for following.

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  20. Hi nice story! Good luck with A-Z. I look forward to your posts.

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