Hollywoodland

Borrowing from Kacey (who got the idea from Kelly), I’ve been thinking about my journey as a writer.

I used to make up stories in my head when I was a kid, but I never had the bright idea of writing any of them down. Which is a pity because some of them were quite entertaining at the time.

Then about 1990, or so, I started watching this show with a friend from work. She and I used to laugh hysterically at the bad dialogue and silly plot lines. One day I made the comment that I could probably write that badly. Turns out I was wrong. I may not have had a clue about POV (try a first person story with flashbacks in another character’s viewpoint LOL!), but my dialogue turned out to be pretty darn good. And my plots weren’t any sillier than the show’s.

Only I eventually realized I didn’t want to write fan fiction (not that I have anything against that, mind you). I wanted to play in my own sandbox. Around that time I joined the GEnie online service. And while I wasn’t really writing romance, I found the RomEx group. I’ve met some of the best friends I’ve ever had there. A small core group, especially, that I still hang with. They know who they are.

Fast forward to 2000. I’m still plugging along, but never quite finishing anything, let alone submitting. Bad Tori! No biscuit! And then due to multiple health problems, I had to go on disability. I hated feeling sick and in pain all the time, but I told myself that at least on the bright side, I’d have more time to write.

That was a great idea while it lasted. Whether it was caused by the health problems themselves or all the medication, my creativity flew out the window. I was not a happy camper. It’s still not back to a level I’d like. Some days it’s really a struggle to pull together anything remotely resembling my amusing writing of old. I miss that.

Geez. I’m making myself depressed now.

Moving along.

Despite everything, my writing group (the ones who know who they are ) has always supported me, encouraged me, and kicked me in the pants a lot. Without them, I’d be a basketcase.

So, anyway, here it is 2005. I’m the closest I’ve ever been to having a finished product to submit and I think that scares me half to death.

But I think I should probably be more scared of my writing group kicking me in the pants again.

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