This month's IWSG question is, "Do you remember writing your first book? What were your first thoughts about the career path? Where are you now, and how is it working out for you?"
It appears we have multiple questions, so I will tackle each.
Why, yes, I remember writing my first book, That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN! My career was born in a rocking chair, late one night in Lakewood, Ohio. The year was 2005. My infant son, Bubba was the inspiration. He was a not-so-excellent sleeper. One night, when I was up for the umpteenth time, holding him in the rocking chair, a poem started going through my head. It was the beginning of That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN! Over the course of a week, every time I was up with him, I'd add more to it. By the end of the week, the entire thing was in my head. That's probably where it would have stayed had I not shared it with my three-year-old daughter. She liked it and said it should be a book. Being in the sleep-deprived state I was in, I thought it was a brilliant idea. The rest is history.
My first thoughts as I went down this career path? I don't remember, because I was sleep-deprived, but they probably were something like, I don't know what the heck I'm doing. But who cares? I'm doing it anyway.
Eighteen years later, here I am. Six published books with three on the way, plus a couple of anthology stories. It's been a wild ride. Ups and downs. Lots of rejections, but also awards and high points along the way. And the unexpected thing is that I've met so many awesome people like yourselves who have been wonderful friends and helped me on my journey. And for that, I'm very grateful!
What about you? If you're an author, what has your journey been like?
Now for what I've been doing, besides revisions on the next three Bubba and Squirt books:
A visit to Chattanooga Tennessee where we saw Ruby Falls, an underground waterfall. Ever been there? It's spectacular!
My very first attempt at writing was inspired by my daughter when she was little too. Yes, the journey is an up and down one.
ReplyDeleteHow funny that both of our kids gave us a push into the writing world!
DeleteOooh. That's a cool picture, and looks like a great place to visit.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your three-year-old daughter convinced you to pursue your writing. She sounds like she's been a positive influence. :)
She certainly has!
DeleteCongratulations on the six books published. I didn't now that your son's name was Bubba.
ReplyDeleteThat's not his real name. I don't use his real name publicly.
DeleteI translated my first book some fifteen years ago, now I have almost 80 behind me. I remember that I got the first one for translation just two or three hours after sending my CV to the publisher.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of translations! Wow!
DeleteI remember those sleep-deprived nights, but I didn't turn them into a book the way you did! Great idea.
ReplyDeleteAt least some good came out of it!
DeleteI'm glad your sleep-deprived state helped you realize that publishing a book was a good idea because your books are great! My son was six when his little sister was born. I remember him complaining, That baby kept me awake all night. She was actually a very good sleeper. He was the one who didn't sleep much.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Thanks, Janie! I think most families experience the joys of sleep deprivation at some point.
DeleteHi, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteHappy April to you, dear friend! I enjoyed learning how baby Bubba was the inspiration behind your first book. You and I started circling each other in Blogland just a few years after that, around the time of Zany Birds. I have very much enjoyed knowing you ever since. It's so cool that you created a poem about those sleepless nights caring for "The Young and the Restless" (Bubba), and that you developed line after line in your head before ever writing it down. Your toddler daughter also gets a good share of the credit for urging you to convert the poem into a book. Your words, " I don't know what the heck I'm doing. But who cares? I'm doing it anyway" is actually an exciting philosophy.
We have never been to Chattanooga, but Mrs. Shady and I would love to see that underground phenomenon, Ruby Falls. It's great to see you again, and I hope married life is going well for you. Have a safe and happy month, dear friend Sherry!
I'm glad we have been friends for so long! You've always been supportive and thoughtful with your comments.
DeleteI hope you get to see Ruby Falls someday. It's quite a place!
Married life is good, thanks!
Hope you have a great month as well.
When I was trying to write children's fiction, my children were very small, too.
ReplyDeleteThere's something about that age that inspires you to try writing your own children's books.
DeleteSix books in eighteen years is great! (And you write at about the same pace as I.)
ReplyDeleteCool falls!
I don't write too fast. Slow and steady wins the race!
DeleteThat is a great origin story. I'm glad you had something to keep you mentally sharp while you were sleep-deprived.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that my brain even worked to create rhymes!
DeleteI like that your kids started you off on your journey. Makes sleep deprivation worth it, maybe! What a cool photo.
ReplyDelete"A not-so excellent sleeper". Love it!
ReplyDeleteThey say, "you never forget your first..." Yup. Especially ones that woke you up ;)
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't easy going through all the sleepless nights, but at least there was a silver lining.
DeleteRuby Falls looks amazing! Wow! I love the story of how you started writing. Wonderful to see where your writing has taken you. I didn't have any idea where my path would lead when I started writing- I always enjoyed writing and then I started a middle grade book and the long and winding road really began. :) Thanks for sharing. ~Jess
ReplyDeleteIt is a long and winding road, isn't it? You never know where it's going to lead.
DeleteYou did great in the last eighteen years! Go you!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI like that you got started by your kid. And congratualtions on all the books!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
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