Noticing Newbies

Bless me, writers, for it has been four years since I signed on last.

Life became busy, cancer struck our family and my membership to this web site was lost and forgotten. I had changed my daily email and soon after, I forgot my writing dot com password. So technically, I may not be a newbie since I signed on four years ago, but in reality, this is my first attempt at actually utilizing this web site.

I had written a few screenplays when I first signed on as a member in 2009. Since then, I have written and published eight novels on Amazon, hosted a book signing and created an entire routine to turn my love of writing into, hopefully, a full time career. I know I'm not alone in that desire. Yes, my loving wife is now a cancer survivor.

The initial inspiration for me to begin writing my first novel came to me as I was lying in bed at two in the morning. Too tired to get up, I allowed myself the luxury of breakfast and a shower seven hours later, prior to beginning the book. As I sat before my computer, that wonderful midnight inspiration had passed from my cranium. All I was able to recall was that I did have some sort of a good idea.

Several weeks later, I was once again inspired in the middle of the night with what I imagined might be a novel-worthy story line. This time, I dragged my tired body to the keyboard and began pounding out the first seventeen pages of my first novel, "Aliens in Paradise". (This was technically my first novel, but I had written several screenplays prior, one of which I later turned into a book). After that, I developed a routine of allocating my most creative hours to writing. Midnight to three AM every day, with rare exception.

Until I adhered to the habit of my daily routine, I found it difficult to complete a project. Finding my peaceful time, and repeating those hours seven days a week, OK, sometimes only six, I was able to publish eight books in my first year. Admittedly, they may never become best sellers, but they are out there in completed form. I believe if you want to maintain a reasonable output of quality work, it's important to set aside dedicated hours on a regular basis. Myself, I need quiet time. Others, I hear, can actually write in the presence of people milling around at coffee shops. I can correct my mistakes in that environment, but for me, the creative juices don't flow so well unless it's dead quiet and I'm alone with my thoughts.

These days, I work a little slower, (because my aging body is slower) but I still work my three quiet hours each night. My work is more diverse now, as I have partnered with other authors on a few projects. I also began teaching one-on-one classes for new authors to publish their books on Amazon. I know, most of you realize it isn't that difficult, but to some people it is, at least the first time.

I love writing and almost anything related to it. Hopefully, you find the same joy in writing as I do.