Monday, 13 February 2012

Origins Blogfest: How I started...

I didn't want to be a writer. I wanted to be a doctor or an architect...or maybe a ballerina. Nah, not a ballerina.

My mother told me I used to be an avid reader as a child, I would hide under the covers with a Nancy Drew or Babysitter's Club and a flashlight and read late into the night. Which explains why my eyes are terrible.

However, I gave up my love for reading, as my school years went on, in favor of boys and making out under the stairs. And still, I had no desire to be a writer.

Then one afternoon, my sister brought home the six-hour movie Pride and Prejudice (which I though would be a war movie) and we sat down to watch it.

That's when the voices started. (And not, it wasn't the sexy voice of Colin Firth.)

An idea for a historical love story popped into my head and immediately started writing it. It was crap. However, the voices never stopped and now, I write full time.

The end.

What is your story?

39 comments:

Kyra Lennon said...

I used to love The Babysitter's Club!

If the sexy voice of Colin Firth doesn't inspire, nothing will lol!

Richard said...

Interesting how seeing a movie inspired you to be a writer.

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

Boys screw everything up.

Laura Marcella said...

You were meant to be a writer! Your inner writer just showed up a little later! I wanted to be a writer ever since I could read on my own. I loved reading so much that writing my own stories was a natural step. Writing was a way to get more of what I wanted (stories) without having to wait for someone to take me to the library.

M.J. Fifield said...

It took me a long time to figure out that I should be a writer. I was a Sweet Valley High girl myself.

Jeremy Bates said...

I like this web site very much

Jessica Bell said...

Hehehe, Babysitter's Club! Me too :o)

Sara said...

I was a Thoroughbred girl myself...and I've never seen the tv version of Pride and Prejudice. I guess I really have to.

Miranda Hardy said...

At least you have a definitive time when the voices started. Lol I think my voices were always there.

Emily R. King said...

You remind me of me, only it was The Thorn Birds. My love of family saga started there.

Joanne said...

I had no desire to be a writer early in life but yes, a ballerina, an actress, a musician, an artist - I think I wanted to be everyone! Writing came much later ...
Nice Blogfest!

Old Kitty said...

Hooorah for voices in your head! Long may they chatter away!!

Take care
x

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I wrote some when I was younger, but I never wanted to be a writer either.
Thanks for participating in the blogfest!

Connie Keller said...

Writing chose you through P&P--what a lovely story!!

BTW, I was a Nancy Drew girl myself.

Carol Kilgore said...

I didn't want to be a writer, either. Yet here we are.

Michael Offutt, Tebow Cult Initiate said...

Colin Firth does have a sexy voice.

LTM said...

Yay! I love that story. The six-hour P&P, eh? I actually really like that movie, too. Good stuff, C~ :o) <3

Adam said...

My origin story is a little dumb. I wanted to be a video game writer years ago, and I posted on a video game site. Got tired of it, and moved my thoughts here. I don't regret it.

Matthew MacNish said...

Interesting point. I suppose even though I loved to write as a kid, I never considered it a career option. Not when I wanted to be an astronaut.

Donna Hole said...

LOL; I don't know why some people think if you love to read you must be destined to be a writer. Reading is its own pleasure.

You love of both literature and forensics is a great asset in the ability to write. You've groomed yourself well for your chosen genre.

.......dhole

Ashley Nixon said...

I have yet to see the 6-hour version of Pride and Prejudice, but I'm sure I'll love it! (I just don't have time for that).

Jeremy Bates said...

i loved the nancy drew male equivalent hardy boys...
also, when reading, thought it said "...making out under the stars" but under the stairs is much better! :)

J.L. Campbell said...

See how all that reading came in useful when you needed it? :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I read a lot of Nancy Drew when I was a child. I was also into Narnia and tales of the fantastic. Ironic that my first fiction would be a reality-based YA series.

mshatch said...

I can remember Christmas Vacation, 7th grade. I got LORD OF THE RINGS and I had the best time following Frodo to Mordor. Ah the joys of losing oneself in a good book!

Alleged Author said...

For me it was when Colin Firth came out of that pond...hee hee!

Lovely post!

Heather Day Gilbert said...

Great to find your blog--I write historical fiction, too (at least for now!). Nice to meet you via the fest!

Scarlett said...

I imagine Pride and Prejudice has moved many a writer to swoon. It is pure poetry. A little bit o' Colin didn't hurt. He's just so tenderhearted!

You clearly have a knack for writing, perhaps as a result of your time beneath the stairs! There's plenty of good material to be found in those boys who would be men.

So glad you listened to the voices.

Creepy Query Girl said...

ah inspiration! It hits us when we least expect it and usually comes from that 'one' movie, book, series, or author who lights the spark! Thanks so much for sharing your origins!

Shirley Wells said...

I didn't want to be a writer either. Once bitten, it's hard to let go.

I read with the flashlight under the covers too. And yes, I have the terrible eyesight now. :)

DL Hammons said...

I've read quite a few ORIGIN's that revolved around movies. Whatever sparks the imagination and gets those wheel turning. I'm glad you've finally realized your true calling!

Thanks for sharing! :)

Margot Kinberg said...

Clarissa - Thanks for sharing your story. How interesting that you didn't start by thinking of yourself as a writer. Well, you certainly are one now!

DEZMOND said...

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE lasted for six hours? Oh, dear...

nutschell said...

Nancy Drew totally got me addicted to books. I think I devoured all our library copies when I was in 3rd grade!

Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Lynda R Young said...

I love your trigger. Sometimes all it takes it that one moment of wow.

Lydia Kang said...

Huh. Colin Firth wouldn't be such a bad hallucination to have!

Deniz Bevan said...

I love that moment when a story idea appears and won't let go!

Diligent Writer said...

I hope that I can write full time one day. And thanks for confirming that my voices are supposed to be here. LOL! Great post!!

Jeremy Bates said...

What a story!say thank you to your sister brought home the six-hour movie to inspired you to be a writer.

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