When did you know you wanted to pursue writing?

Discuss writing, including writing tips & tricks, writing philosophy, writer's block, etc. If you have grammar questions, marketing questions, or if you want feedback on a poem or short story you wrote, please use the corresponding forum below.
Featured Topic: How to Get Your Book Published
Forum rules
If you have spelling or grammar questions, please post them in the International Grammar section.

If you want feedback for poetry or short stories you have written, please post the poem or short story in either the Creative Original Works: Short Stories section or the Creative Original Works: Poetry section.

If you have a book that you want reviewed, click here to submit your book for review.
User avatar
Jackie_Shaeffer45
Posts: 2
Joined: 14 Feb 2014, 23:21
Bookshelf Size: 0

When did you know you wanted to pursue writing?

Post by Jackie_Shaeffer45 »

For me, I knew I wanted to write when I was 4. I wrote a story about my brother becoming a monster and terrorizing the family. The only way to save us all was by shooting him with the garden hose. Not my finest work but we all start somewhere. When did you know you wanted to write?
User avatar
Katherine E Wall
Posts: 139
Joined: 13 Jul 2013, 14:14
Bookshelf Size: 36
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-katherine-e-wall.html
Latest Review: "Vietnam Memoirs: Part 1" by Don Bonsper

Post by Katherine E Wall »

I can't remember not writing. I used to scribble on a page, thinking I was making words, and then 'read' my story to my parents. Since, I was actually reading by the time I was four, I assume this was before then. I do remember it though, as I did it frequently.

However, my first real drive to write began a little later. A favorite great-great-aunt died when she was 92. I was nine. I wrote my a poem the day of her funeral. I couldn't understand why the sun was shining, and the poem is about how the sky, the whole world should be crying. I still have that poem. It is the earliest piece of writing I kept, although it also seemed to open the floodgates.

There is more to that story, though. My great-great-aunt was a spinster (in the vernacular of her day). Yet, shortly after her funeral as we went through her meagre possessions, my mother picked up a statue of Mary, which my aunt had treasured and never allowed anyone to touch. We were surprised to hear it rattle. My grandmother pulled back the felt on the base of the statue and a gold wedding ring fell out of its hollow interior. You can imagine how it inspired questions and fuelled my imagination. Over the years, I played with the whys regarding that ring, and it showed up in several stories. After that, I realized we never really know anyone and their stories, but there is always room to imagine.
"We awaken the muse with the spirit of creativity. We entomb it with the ghoul of self-doubt."

That's right, I have a muse. It is spelled MusE. My writing is influenced by the interactions of people I meet - us and ME.
Latest Review: "Vietnam Memoirs: Part 1" by Don Bonsper
Jasper
Posts: 52
Joined: 08 Feb 2014, 12:24
Favorite Author: Stephen King
Bookshelf Size: 3
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jasper.html
Latest Review: "The River Way Home" by Mary E. Dawson
fav_author_id: 2376

Post by Jasper »

For me it was in tenth grade. My art teacher made us write descriptions for each of our drawings. Then she'd say, "A picture is worth a thousand words, so write a short story the best that you can." I think after the eighth short story was when I really wanted to write a novel and get it published. Of course I knew I wasn't a good writer, and I needed to learn a few things, but I promised myself by thirty I'd get a book published.

I've got plenty of time, and I've improved a lot since then. I've also been doing a lot of research on the business and the literary agents. My book is almost complete and I'm excited--and a little nervous--about the process of being rejected or accepted after sending out query letters.
Latest Review: "The River Way Home" by Mary E. Dawson
KLyons1
Posts: 233
Joined: 10 Feb 2014, 14:28
Favorite Author: Many
Favorite Book: See Favorite Author
Bookshelf Size: 2
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-klyons1.html
Latest Review: "A Vision of Angels" by Timothy Jay Smith

Post by KLyons1 »

I don't remember *not* wanting to write ...
Latest Review: "A Vision of Angels" by Timothy Jay Smith
User avatar
deanfromaustralia
Posts: 28
Joined: 07 Jun 2013, 14:09
Favorite Author: Simon Winchester
Favorite Book: The Map That Changed The World.
Bookshelf Size: 0
fav_author_id: 6670

Post by deanfromaustralia »

My Grade 3 teacher Mrs. Furnell, I credit with firing my love of writing. Ever since I received my first ever Purple Dragon sticker, I was hopelessly hooked.
"...You think that's air you're breathing now?"
User avatar
Sifuentes24
Posts: 3
Joined: 04 Mar 2014, 04:21
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by Sifuentes24 »

I was in the 2nd grade and I did a report on Edgar Allen Poe. My teacher had told me that it was too advanced for my grade level, mind you: marginally. I was really offended and embarrassed however, instead of clamming up I decided to try to crank out as close to a perfect draft every time I worked on something. The next year I came to the realization that words are endless and that my life's work ( in my head) was to try to express things as accurately as i felt them ALL THE TIME!
Anyway, I've written my good and bad. I've had my "ah-ha!" moments and I find that I have a knack for being able to pin point what other people try to get across. I think the ability to read people and articulate how they feel is the propriety of characterization. Even if what you write is grammatically incorrect or obvious or cliche, giving people a medium to plug into and say "YES! That#s exactly it," or "That character could be Dick or Jane," is one of the pillars of literature.
Shellby85
Posts: 75
Joined: 05 Mar 2014, 23:00
Bookshelf Size: 0
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-shellby85.html

Post by Shellby85 »

I've tried to write since I was about 8 I've never gotten really far with it because I always hate what I write! A few years ago I did start a book that my sister in law loved and that's still sitting on the computer waiting for me to get back to it but I've found it hard to continue with that one. Since then I've started and discarded so many! I will get there one day. I live making new characters and making them how I want them to be. Just making up a person is so interesting
User avatar
SCRubio
Posts: 5
Joined: 08 Mar 2014, 18:22
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by SCRubio »

I've always made up stories in my head, though didn't write them down until I was older. When I was a kid it didn't feel like authors were regular people, they seemed so much bigger than that. I wrote my first completed story when I was five for a Reading Rainbow contest, but it wasn't until I was in seventh grade that I thought, "this could be what I do. I could write books." After I attended a summer program for creative writing in 2008, I knew this was all that I wanted to do and get better at. I think the best part was it really boosted my self-confidence in my writing ability and convinced me to pursue it as a future career.
User avatar
Yukiora 24
Posts: 282
Joined: 18 Mar 2014, 12:01
Bookshelf Size: 3
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-yukiora-24.html
Latest Review: "Redtail" by Jerry a wilkinson

Post by Yukiora 24 »

It came naturally to me. But the tricky thing is to try and convay what u see in your head to the reader. I'd writen stories since I was in middle school if you compare those to what I write now the jump is humongous!
Latest Review: "Redtail" by Jerry a wilkinson
User avatar
Ncuffee21
Posts: 9
Joined: 25 Jul 2014, 03:03
Bookshelf Size: 0
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ncuffee21.html

Post by Ncuffee21 »

At a very young age I took an interest in writing. However, I was never bold enough to pursue it as a career. I still write as a pastime. Keeps your mind flowing with ideas.
User avatar
SidnayC
Posts: 376
Joined: 04 Jul 2014, 11:14
Favorite Book: I am yet to read a book worthy
Currently Reading: Inescapable by Amy Bartol
Bookshelf Size: 7
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sidnayc.html
Latest Review: "Vampire prince" by Iris van Gorp

Post by SidnayC »

When I saw how much reading could change my life... I also wanted to change someones life in the same way
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you - Maya Angelou
Latest Review: "Vampire prince" by Iris van Gorp
writerbugg
Posts: 34
Joined: 26 Jul 2014, 01:44
Currently Reading: The Martian
Bookshelf Size: 0
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-writerbugg.html

Post by writerbugg »

My desire to write is almost cliché. I was in junior college and still unsure about what kind of degree I wanted to pursue. Then I had to take a low-level creative writing class. I absolutely loved it. I was one semester away from my liberal arts degree, so this revelation came at the best time. I went on to pursue a BA in English and have been trying to write on the side as I'm not keen on being a starving artist. Lol.
User avatar
ipekbunsal
Posts: 247
Joined: 26 Jul 2014, 15:24
Currently Reading: Gift of Prophecy
Bookshelf Size: 3
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ipekbunsal.html
Latest Review: "Gift of Prophecy" by Lina Gardiner

Post by ipekbunsal »

I guess when I started going to elemantary school? Not at first but we had homeworks like writing an essay I love it ever since. And even though I have not written my own stories for a while, I know that somehow someday this'll be what I do.
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Latest Review: "Gift of Prophecy" by Lina Gardiner
User avatar
polindsay
Posts: 6
Joined: 17 Aug 2014, 18:20
Bookshelf Size: 0
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-polindsay.html

Post by polindsay »

I knew when I was in a very dark place in my life and the only thing I could do to make me feel better was to write. It was my therapy. Now I want to give back and help others that are going through hard times get a little bit of comfort, even if it's temporary.
User avatar
RussetDivinity
Posts: 398
Joined: 04 Jul 2014, 13:44
Bookshelf Size: 44
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-russetdivinity.html
Latest Review: "Heart of Flint" by Scott Stricklen

Post by RussetDivinity »

I've always wanted to write. I grew up being read to and started doing little fanfics in my head. When I was seven, I pretended to be Harry Potter's twin sister and made up stories about our adventures. Even earlier, I made up stories about how I was a tree spirit in Narnia. I still do fanfics, though I like to think they're better than the ones I wrote back then.

As for original stories... well, I told my parents I had fairies living in my wall, and I liked to come up with stories where the protagonists were always in danger for their lives.
Latest Review: "Heart of Flint" by Scott Stricklen
Post Reply

Return to “Writing Discussion”