It's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group post of the month. The question is, how did you know you wanted to be a writer? What prompted you?
This is a question I answer every time I do school author visits. I ask the kids to raise their hands if they want to be an author when they grow up. And the young kids always do. Middle-schoolers, not so much. Guess what? I didn't want to be an author when I grew up. I wanted to be an astronaut or opera singer. I'm neither. This is probably a good thing because the world is much better not hearing my singing voice!
So, how did I get here? You can thank my daughter and my son for that. Here's the story: When my son was a little baby, he didn't sleep. Neither kid did. Talk about a serious case of sleep deprivation. Four years of less than 4 hours of sleep a night! When you're that sleep-deprived, weird things go on in your head. Like poems. That's what happened. At 3:00 AM one night, a poem popped in. For the rest of the week, I spent my nights in the rocking chair with my 3-month old son, composing the entire story in my head. Later, I shared the poem with my daughter, who was three years old at the time. She said, "Mom that's really good! You should make it a book!"
My sleep-deprived mind thought that was a brilliant idea. So, here I am, 15 years later, still writing. My sixth book comes out this September: Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure.
The name of the first book? That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN!
Now, for the story:
If you recall, our German Shepherd, Schultz destroyed his Beaver toy by ripping the seams and taking out all the stuffing. We thought for Christmas, we'd get him a brand new Beavie. Ladies and gentlemen, it took Schultz all of two hours to destroy it. Here he is, in action:
And yes, that is Beavie's heart. Schultz ripped Beavie's heart out! I think Bootsy, the cat has been a terrible influence on him!
I guess sleep deprivation has its perks.
ReplyDeletehaha Bootsy has taught him well.
Yes, Bootsy has indeed taught him well!
DeleteI didn't want to be an author either. Funny how these things work out, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYou've going to need another beaver...
I think Schultz is done with Beavers. No more stuffed animals for him.
DeleteI think Schultz needs a chew toy, not a beaver.
ReplyDeleteAgree!
DeleteAw, love how your daughter had said you should write a book. Fascinating to see what you led you to your writing journey!
ReplyDeleteAnd poor Beavie! Never had a chance against Schultz... XD
Not much survives those sharp canine teeth!
DeleteA great ISWG post Sherry. Schulzt it appears to be much better healthwise.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I think so. We'll know in another month.
DeleteI bet you are excited about September!
ReplyDeleteYes. It's going to sneak up so fast! There's so much to do to get ready, and I barely have any time!
DeleteMy dog destroys her toys with stuffing within minutes. I can only get her hard rubber toys. Love your story about how you got into writing.
ReplyDeleteI think we're going to stick with hard rubber toys for Schultz too!
DeleteI'm glad to hear your daughter confirmed your talents. My daughter kept me from trying to be an opera singer (not that I ever thought I would be) when she was about three and I was holding her in church singing and at the end of the hymn she said, "Daddy, you don't sing so good"
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
Haha! Kids! I'm glad I'm not an opera singer, because I don't sing so good, either.
DeleteThanks for sharing your origin story! We had doggie visitors over Thanksgiving, a pair of mini dachshunds, and I was amazed and impressed at how quickly they eviscerated their new stuffed toys! I wish you a happy, healthy, peaceful, productive 2020.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Same to you!
DeleteThe kids made you do it! They need bigger allowances, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteWhen I start making more as an author, they can get bigger allowances! :)
DeleteI love your coming-to-authorhood journey. I actually started writing down my stories because of my kiddos, too. Because three out of four weren't sleepers. I was a zombie for like ten years. :) It's so wonderful to see Schultz doing so well.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain. My sleep deprivation lasted for 4 years. I couldn't imagine dealing with it for 10! Wow!
DeleteHi, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very interesting story in answer to the question of the month. It's amazing to think that chronic sleep deprivation you suffered in young motherhood caused your mind to create poems and stories that led to a successful series of full length books. Thanks for sharing that, dear friend!
I don't care if Schultz tore up his new beaver toy and ripped its heart out. To me it's a sign that your wonderful dog still has lots of spunk, spirit, energy and life left in him. It is only when his mischievous play starts to trail off that I would start to worry. I hope that won't be for a long time.
Thanks for coming to see me and enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Sherry!
Schultz is definitely not as spunky has he used to be, but there is still some of that playful puppy in him which is nice to see on occasion.
DeleteEnjoy your week as well!
Don't blame Bootsy. Schulz is a dude to contend with. (POV-- Beavie's)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Yes. Those teeth are accustomed to chomping through bones. Nothing is safe with Schultz!
DeleteNow, I understand how your "condition" lead you to create a poem and successful series books.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experiences
It's funny how things work, isn't it?
DeleteMy dog used to love to destroy his toys. The only ones that lasted were the ones he didn't like and never played with. Otherwise- all the stuffing was ripped out. :)
ReplyDeleteLoved hearing what prompted you to start writing. Glad the sleep deprivation worked out in the end.
~Jess
Yes. But I wouldn't care to ever go back to those days and nights of sleep deprivation!
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