The Writing Process

I think I was in the fifth or sixth grade when I wrote my first book. In fact, I think I still have it packed away in a box in my attic along with numerous other childhood memories. If I remember correctly, it was about a young girl who falls in love with a boy. Unique concept, I know. Even back then, I knew enough to write something that I would have wanted to read myself. As I look forward to a future as a published author, I am still working under that same belief.
Some writers believe that they need to research complicated subject matters to create a riveting story while other writers hold firm that one should write what they know. Me? I’m somewhere in the middle. “Haunting” is based solely in a place that is etched permanently in my memory – my hometown. My youth, spent growing up on a farm on the outskirts of Hull, Iowa, still brings a smile to my face. Certain people from my childhood inspired personality traits of some of my characters while every single building, school and house is an actual structure that I can recount as a kid. Yet, there was a certain amount of research that had to be done throughout the writing process. After all, I didn’t start out writing my novel as an expert in the paranormal. I spent hours looking through books and Internet sites trying to absorb as much as I could. In the end, I took what I learned and put my own twist on things to create something, I hope, is something fresh and unique.
What started out as a mere concept ended becoming an award winning manuscript. My goal, now, is to turn that manuscript into an award winning novel that can be found in your neighborhood bookstore.  I can dream, can’t I?