Follow Friday For Writers #1

Elizabeth over at Some Sharp Words came up with an amazing idea! What better way to network and connect with fellow writers than to participate in a blog HOP! There's always strength in numbers and so much support/lovin' to receive so join in with the fun. Here's the rules she's set up:

1) (Required) You must follow my blog

2) (Required) You must follow the guest poster featured in the blog hop post.

3) Go to Sharp Words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add in your name to the link at the bottom of the page while you're there.

4) Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week’s question.

5) Answer the question

6) You must copy these rules, the hop link and the featured question with your answer on your own blog. This blog serves as a place for new followers to say hi.

7) Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!

8) If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.

9) Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.

Here's this weeks question...

What inspired you to write?

I've always liked to write but I've lacked the confidence. Every now and then an idea would hit and I'd tinker around with it. Maybe about two years ago, someone I spent alot of time talking with, tried to encourage me to start writing again - nothing big and fancy, just whatever inspired me. After I made a very rude noise, I adamantly told him "Craig I will NEVER write." I think I even growled at him. He just gave me this knowing look and left it alone. Two weeks later, I'm in his office with a 10 page answer to something he'd asked me. Something stuck. I was in the middle of a Jonas Brothers obsession *groans* and next thing I knew, I wrote a brief story called "Love Bug", my first ever romance. I had so much fun being creative with it that I whispered to Craig that I'd write something else. Next thing I wrote was a fan fiction for Christine Feehan's Carpathian series called Dark Protection. I got about 15,000 words in and stopped but I was HOOKED. I loved how I felt when I wrote, the magical feel of creating something from my imagination.

I'm pretty lucky. I dream my story ideas. I wake up with a few images and a truckload of emotional residue and I sit down and outline something. I've written bits and pieces since - The Promise of Heat (a paranormal romance), Within The Shadows (romance suspense), The Curse of Illusions (historical romance) and Broken Promises (urban fantasy and book one in trilogy) I've also got folder upon folders of other story ideas - one about love found during a kidnapping, a time travelling princess, a sexy Highlander, a sexy protective vampire guardian and a vampire enforcer on the run. Each one tugs on me to get started and I can't wait to visit them. Right now I'm working on TCofI and editing BP - both have me so excited and I get tingles when I read them.

Another thing that keep me inspired me to write is the friendships I've made with other authors. As an avid reader, I've always seen the creators of the stories I love as people unreachable. Never in my wildest dreams would I think I'd ever be able to chat back and forth, let alone receive support and guidance for my own musings. Whenever I feel discouraged or need some trade advice, I reach out and they are always super helpful. It helps take away the nerves and makes me a better writer. I don't want to drop names but they know who they are and I love them!

So that's my story. I'd be remiss to also include my love for my hubby Mark and BFF Lacey. They're always on stand by, patiently reading through everything I write and they still love me LOL Lacey is an amazing author herself and my greatest cheerleader. She's the one I text early in the morning with "My gosh I had the best dream" and send her photo after photo of my latest muses and crush. Woman's a saint I tell you! Oh and just so you know? I didn't get an "I told you so" from Craig although believe me.. I deserved it. I can't believe how strongly I argued with him. Just goes to show - I don't always know what's best for me. Happy writing everyone and enjoy your weekend!

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