Hey Champions, this is one of the posts I mentioned when I explained my upcoming surgeries/procedures that I wrote a year or two ago, but I’m refreshing a little and reposting.
This post is meant to be an encouragement to those who are fighting their way through NaNoWriMo, so hopefully they won’t be discouraged with their writing. Yes, I’m once again busting out the first book I ever wrote…and it’s bad. So bad. Horrible. I’m not even sure I should subject you all to this, but, hey, I don’t think it’s possible to read it and NOT be encouraged by the quality of your own writing. 😉 So let’s roll out the old post!
I was in 7th grade–I think I was 11 or 12 at the time–when I wrote my first book. My novel was a 46,000 word, young adult sci fi story that is so horrific, so terrible, I mostly try to forget it exists, except in times like these. Either right around now–or sometime closer to the end of the month–you likely will end up questioning your skills and your ability. You might think you’re wasting your time because you’re a bad writer, or that you could never be a good storyteller.
Ha. Haha. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Ooooooh Champions. Please allow me to give you PROOF that I didn’t start out writing like I do now as I unveil the most hideous skeleton I have: The Awakening Call– Book 1 of the Star Flight Series.
Are you alive? Did you make it? I hope you did, and now you obviously know that I was terrible when I started. And with good reason!
Writing is an art. Most musicians aren’t able to instantly pick up their first instrument and play a concert piece. Similarly, most writers won’t write J. R. R. Tolkien-esque books on their first try. ( I obviously didn’t!) So if you’re feeling discouraged because you don’t think your book is perfect or that you’re not doing a good job, please allow me to assure you that you 100% are. When it comes to writing, finishing is the real win. (That’s why NaNoWriMo pledges to write 50,000 words in 30 days–not 50,000 perfect words, just words!)
The more you write, the better you get! And as terrible as my first book was, my second book was Princess Ahira. It’s gone through some pretty deep edits, but it’s available to purchase on Amazon. A lot of Champions enjoy Ahira–and it wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t finished *Gag* The Awakening Call, first!
And that’s the end of this embarrassing blog post. Now, Champions, please do me a favor and go read something of mine that will restore me to your good graces–and make you forget all about The Awakening Call. UGH–even that title is just hideous!
Thanks for reading!
Ps: YES, as 7th grader I wrote myself into the story as a 45-year-old. I was weird, okay? (Or maybe I just had visions of greatness, haha)