I usually write the story that I want to read. But I have read a few books over my life that I closed and thought, wow, I wish I had written that! Those include Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Someone Knows My Name (also called The Book of Negros) by Lawrence Hill. I just finished another of those: Trouble the Water by Rebecca Dwight Bruff
Yes, I began writing professionally when my first child was one. I thought that this profession would have a long apprenticship stage for me, because I'm a slow learner, but that it could be one I could do while being a full time parent. I was fortunate enough to have a supportive spouse and was able to write while being home with our 3 children.
I don't find it difficult to write characters from any sex, gender, ethnicity, etc. We are all human, yes? Pay attention to the beauty of our diversity!
Find the joy of the process: the journey of discovery. Life gives us enough REAL trauma to stress about! Get out of your own way (banish EGO) and write!
I was inspired by a credit-free course in writing for magazines and newspapers by a wonderful teacher and professional writer Diana Gleason. For the next ten years I wanted to BE Diana, who was a non-fiction writer. I had some success, but was not so good at it and realized that I was more drawn to the storytelling world of fiction. I've been writing professionally for over 40 years now! Thanks for the great start, Diana!
