I can attribute my writing journey to one thing...
Le Tour de France
My dad is an avid cyclist. He introduced me to Le Tour de France years ago. He taught me the ins and outs of the tour. I guess I can say he has a major role in my love for writing, too. Bless the man's heart. Willingly, he reads everything that I write, be it during the first draft, editing, or revising stages. He catches typos and things that don't make sense. I think he's read my books more times than he probably would ever desire to. I love him for it, though.
All this does have a point, I assure you. LOL
So, Le Tour de France commences tomorrow. Of course, for the full three weeks of racing, I'll be watching it from the comforts of my room on Versus (a sports tv station).
Three years ago, for my graduation-from-university-present-to-myself, I went to Paris, France. I saw the tours traditional last day as they rode onto Champs-Élysées (a main road in the gorgeous city). Yes, I saw the cyclists fly past me at least six or so times, and (*giggles*) witnessed one of my famous crushes, Lance Armstrong, as he zoomed past me, too. *Swoon*
Anyway, this trip, of which included an excursion down to Italy, brought about the idea for my first book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND. I know it's totally cliché, but I fell in love with Paris so much that when I came home I dreamed about it all the time. One of those dreams turned into an idea for a book.
I feel so grateful and blessed that over a period of eleven years (+/-), I was led to Paris through my love of Le Tour de France and traveling. These experiences were the catalyst to commence my own race with words. Otherwise, I really don't think I'd be writing.
Over the next three weeks, you'll know what's keeping me busy--watching some wicked awesome cyclists and maybe, just maybe, their ripped legs. *blushes* Oh, and beta'ing some books, too.
So, how did you start writing? What initially inspired your writing journey?
Writing. Jewels.
It's almost embarrassing to admit, but I started because everybody else told me to. Over the course of three or four years, I had dozens of people tell me I should write a book. My biggest objection was always, "What would I even write about?"
ReplyDeleteS I decided to try it. I sat down and wrote a couple of scenes, all set in different places, different. Haracters. One of them grabbed a hold of me. I thought, "Hmmmm... There's something there." and I ran with it.
Now I love it and I realize I've been telling myself stories in my head all along, and all I have to do is get them out of my head :)
I for one am glad you started writing cuz now I know you! Woot! :D Your thought ---> "Hmmmm... There's something there," is pretty much how Felicite Found came about. The dream caught my attention and now she is a book. :D
DeleteMy writing journey began with an English teacher who wanted us to write a story in elementary school. Not as inspirational as yours and I barely remember the story, but that's how I started. It helped that I loved reading and writing already.
ReplyDeleteOh, all the way back in elementary school. Sigh! I didn't begin my journey with words until I was 27. That's a lot of lost time, but I started any way. Good on you for keeping your writing dream alive for so many years. :D
DeleteI decided it was important to get my thoughts down and then my stories followed. It was a form of therapy to start and now it's a way to express myself artistically.
ReplyDeletePerhaps my writing is therapy to keep me sane. Who knows? haha But I love expressing myself through words. I sort of live vicariously through them.
DeleteThat's WAY fun.
ReplyDeleteMine began with a middle school teacher who totally freaked out over how much he loved a short story I wrote.
Then it stopped when I hated my English profs in college.
Then started up again when my youngest turned 3.
For me - it's a good thing it took me so long, because I'm obsessive about writing.
I understand obsessions, including writing. I have far too many of them. Aren't you glad you picked writing back up when your little one was three? I'd bet with all of your success. :D
DeleteFor me, I was in high school and an avid fantasy reader. Basically, one day I just said "I could do that." And I started world-building then writing. That book took 8 years to get written thanks to undergraduate and graduate studies (and shelving the book a couple times because I couldn't stand the sight of it any more).
ReplyDeleteI think we've all gotten to the point where we couldn't stand the sight of our books. I know I have. haha
DeleteI have some good memories of watching the Tour. i started writing stories before I can remember. I used to take them for show and tell in kindergarten. My parents have always been supportive and I've always wanted to be published but it was when I found some people on line who were going through the process of getting published that I decided I can do that too.
ReplyDeleteYeah, there was a point (same as you with the online thing) where I knew I had to get my book published. It's been there since. We can do it!
DeleteSaw Le Tour de France when they came through my town last year! It was great. And I love Paris too, let me know the next time you come back for a visit!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI will for sure tell you. Gees, I would love to head back to France tomorrow. :D
DeleteI remember writing in elementary school. I think it's always been a part of me. :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
DeleteOkay... I am officially oozing green envy through the computer! I hope it doesn't make your keyboard sticky. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! Such a wonderful story with your inspiration for writing. I wish I had something this amazing, to share, but alas - my story is not so exciting!
BTW- Lance Armstrong is totally swoon worthy!
Leigh, you crack me up--"oozing green with envy". Well, all stories that get someone to write is phenomenal in itself. Don't knock yours down.
DeleteAnd yes, Lance. *fans face*
It's always cool to know how people came to start writing :-) How awesome that a place like Paris was part of the catalyst for your writing journey! I visited Paris when I was a young teen and hadn't yet figured out I wanted to write. If I had, I'm sure the visit would have inspired a story!
ReplyDeleteOui Oui, Paris! It is a glorious city with so much inspiration. I'm dying to go back. Soon!
DeleteThat's a really interesting story and I can totally understand being inspired by Paris. Your dad sounds great too!
ReplyDeleteI started writing with little plays at the age of about ten. Most of them featured my real life family and friends (not always in a complimentary way, lol). I suppose they were a way of making sense of what was around me and that is still a big part of the motivation.
My dad is pretty darn cool. I'm biased though. I bet you acted out your little plays too. I would have. :D
DeleteI biked from Long Beach to San Diego once. Don't think I have it in me to try something like that again (even though it was a blast). Have fun! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, David, that's cool. Right on!
DeleteHmmm. I've never seen the attraction of cycling from a spectator sport point-of-view but I sure would love to go to France. And I'm reading DPK's comment above mine and am in shock...Long Beach to San Diego...I think I would die by just biking to the edge of Long Beach starting out from its middle!
ReplyDeleteI can barely ride ten miles in one setting. Maybe if I worked up to it. However, when I lived in Taiwan, I biked it everywhere. Perhaps I could knock out a good long ride.
DeleteGo to France, Michael. It is well-worth the time and money!