Introduction

If you’re looking for someone who knows what they’re doing and who has their writing life together, well, you’re in the wrong place. If however, you love writing but feel like a fish out of water and like you don’t belong amongst the Instagram worthy, YouTube savvy, author-lingo-fluent world of what “normal” writers seem to be up to, you’re in the right spot. We can feel out of place together.

(However, all are welcome here.)

I’ve been “writing” since I learned how to write semi-coherent sentences. An early memory I have is of being in first grade. We had the grade computer for a day and had to type a story we worked on in class. I loved it. Of course, my story was only a paragraph and made absolutely no sense whatsoever, but it planted a seed in my brain. I still remember the title. “Lots of Friends and they are all animals.” I may have it somewhere, if I ever find it maybe I’ll share it here.

The truth is, I love to write but I don’t want everything that comes along with being an author. No, that’s not true, I DO want the experience, but the thought of having to do book signings scares the crap out of me. Trying to be traditionally published seems like an impossible task for someone like me.

Some days it’s hard to keep the desire to write alive. The self-publishing road is overwhelming. There is so much to do. Trying to find editors, beta readers, cover designers, coming up with marketing plans etc. Traditional publishing feels like it would crush my soul. I began to think that I didn’t want to be an author bad enough. That I lacked the passion and drive that other authors seem to have. A necessary element in this world.

So, why am I here?

I truly love to create stories. I love my characters and the worlds that they live. I get lost in their lives and the struggles they have. Existing in that space feels like home. It brings me the peace that reality denies me.

I wanted to create a space for me to document my progress and keep track of the things that I’ve learned, but also to help people who struggle but don’t want to give up.

We can still be writers. We can still learn and share our process, even if the rest of the writing world seems to have it easier and are further along. Our stories can be told too and at the pace we’re able to comfortably tell them. No pressure. Just the process.

I’ve been following YouTubers who know things. They reach their goals, they share their struggles when they haven’t, but they’re consistent. They write daily. They do challenges to keep themselves writing. They have beta readers and…what’s the other one? Critique partners. They live and breathe writing while actually writing! Though, seeing them excited and making progress brings me joy, and inspires me…I haven’t found one person (yet) who struggles the way that I do. Who spends more time thinking about writing than actually writing. Whose fears and self-doubt aren’t as crippling. So, here I am to represent those who struggle like I am.

Each journey and experience is unique. Nothing is impossible.