Monday, December 7, 2009

Hello! My name is...

First, let me say how excited I am about being asked to participate in this group!  Reading the credentials of the other writers on this blog was a bit intimidating, but I decided to close my eyes and jump.
I fell in love with books at a very young age.  I loved to write when I was still in grade school, making up simple stories for my eyes alone.  During my junior high years, my focus shifted to writing songs and poetry.  Strumming my guitar, sharing my original compositions with any friends that would listen, I dreamed of being a song-writer; but I never had the confidence to pursue it for a career.

My high school teachers often told my mother that I should be a writer.  However, they never told me!  (I learned of this only recently when my mom told someone else.)  I loved Lit classes, and still wrote my songs and poems, occasionally tossing in a short story.  Sadly, I never considered it more than a hobby.

Through my young adult years, I worked various jobs while raising my only child, a daughter.  My writing became almost non-existent, except for the time when, in my thirties, some college courses reignited my love of writing.  Even though my instructors gave me the highest marks, and encouraged me to enter my essays into local contests, I still lacked the confidence to actually do it.  At one point, I started writing a novel.  After about three chapters I lost steam and put it away.

Now I'm in my fifties and have finally found the confidence to pursue my life-long dream.  I am over fifty-thousand words into my manuscript.  And I have a plan!  Perhaps I'll share about that next time...

I currently write three blogs:  a farm blog, an essays blog (my miscellaneous site) and a blog about my pursuit of becoming a published author.





8 comments:

Katherine Jenkins said...

Welcome and it's good to take a leap of faith...fear often gets in the way of all that we are and all that we have to offer. We usually have a lot more than we think we do. Great that you are taking that leap with your book! I look forward to reading some of it perhaps! Welcome to our fabulous group of authors!!!

Lille Diane said...

You know I welcome you with open arms, and an open heart, Lily. I've had the pleasure of reading some of Lily's manuscript, and meeting her in person. There is nothing about Lily that isn't creative, and adventurous.

I'm elated you jumped in. You belong here. Your work will be given a platform, and soon, everyone--not just your Mother and old high school teacher, will know that you are indeed, a great writer.

Marilyn said...

Lily, so glad to meet you. I couldn't agree with you more. There seems to be a beautiful theme with all of us...we love what we do. I have been all of our stories and it is inspiring. Age, not even a thought, we are still breathing and that means there is always time. Your post was what I needed...well, I will share the story later.

Big hugs..

Historical sites with charmine said...

Lily,I'm so very happy for you,yes very!Wish you well and hope you get many more writing assignments.WOW!

Marla said...

Lily, you are right where you belong. So happy for you!

Anonymous said...

Bravo to you Lily! It's wonderful that you found and took up seriously something that you have always loved. I look forward to looking around your blogs.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Lily -

Congrats on landing a spot here! I'm looking forward to reading your posts.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Lily, that's a great introduction! I look forward to reading "your plan".