Origins Blogfest

Thanks to the host D.L. Hammons and co-sponsors Alex J. Cavanaugh, Katie Mills and Matthew MacNish. For this Blogfest we are asked to describe where our writing dreams began. For me it's been much like planting a fruit tree from seed.

The seed:
I wasn't a fast reader so I avoided books until I found my mum's collection of Enid Blyton's Famous Five series. I read them in my room where no one could make fun of how slow I read. I read every single one of them. After that I didn't read at all. Then on the last days of primary school my teacher read The Hobbit to the class. After that I read Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Wow. Tolkien's world was awe-inspiring. But again I stopped reading. Instead I joined the Tolkien Society and did artwork for them.

The sapling:
I met a friend in high school who introduced me to the true joy of books. She devoured books. Anything and everything.  She pointed me to the best, she taught me how to find them, she taught me the love of the written word. I read the works of C.S. Lewis, Susan Cooper, Anne McCaffrey, David Eddings, Raymond E. Feist, anything fantasy. I decided I wanted to become a writer and over the course of the next 9 years I wrote a gargantuan epic.

The tree and its fruit:
I wrote a second epic while I tried to get the first one published. Back then I had no idea about the publishing world. All too quickly I gave up. I kept reading, but I didn't write for ten years. Biggest mistake of my life. However it's that very mistake that keeps me writing now. My advice to anyone who wants to write is keep writing and don't give up.

Where did your writing dreams begin?

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I've also been tagged by Kaylie Austen to answer 11 questions. I've always been a bit of a rebel so I've picked my favourite questions from the list and answered them:

What’s your favourite movie, and why? The Princess Bride. It has everything--love, adventure, great dialogue, memorable scenes, fantastic conflicts, humour, and a drool-worthy leading man.
Would you rather live in a fantasy/paranormal world or a sci-fi one? Fantasy was my first pick until I thought about it. I'd love to be able to wield magic, but I'm not so sure I'd like the lack of modern conveniences. Also, the thought of meeting a real dragon is unsettling. Could I pick the best from both worlds?
If you were tossed into a fairytale, would you be a helpless princess (prince), a kick-butt heroine (hero), or the bad guy? None of the above. I'd be the enthusiastic side kick.