What, Why, and Where I Write~Day 1 of The 30 Day Blog Challenge
Happy New Year lovely readers and followers! I needed some blogging motivation for this month, so I decided to partner with Courtney of 1Timothy4:12Girl for the 30 Day Blog Challenge! Every day will feature a new post, which will help you get to know me more as I connect with you on a deeper level!
So what do I write? Well, I obviously blog, but my writing life didn’t start there. I guess it really started in elementary school when I wrote my own “episode” of Ed Edd n Eddy (the best TV show ever), where the Eds met aliens down in their cul-de-sac sewer system. I know, I’m that creative. My fourth grade teacher was impressed and a little in shock at my dedication to the story and dialogue, but I never really wrote much after that until middle school. I actually thought I was going to be a famous artist or rock star someday.
My love of writing really took off in the ninth grade, when I would doodle poetry in my notebook during my first period algebra class. I don’t know why, but math classes always stoke my creative juices. I actually liked that class, but my mind was always wandering in music and lyrics of its own.
Eventually I found the courage to show one of my poems to my English teacher, and she suggested I enter a poetry competition. I found out that the university near my house was hosting one for high school students, so I entered, not thinking I even stood a chance.
When the letter came in the mail from the competition, I was expecting a “sorry, better luck next time” letter to be in the envelope. I was wrong–I got honorable mention! I found out I was the youngest competitor to even place in the competition, and the dean loved my reading. I really don’t like writing about this because I hate bragging about myself. But this moment in my life was pivotal; it was the moment I knew I stood a chance in the writing world.
Ever since then I wrote bits of poetry and short stories. I’ve entered a few competitions with no luck (does anyone know of any good poetry competitions??). I have a mentor who has always been such a huge encouragement to me. She brags about me nonstop, and I really can’t believe how blessed I am to have her influence and guidance in my life.
By the time my senior year rolled around, one of my poems ended up turning into a mini novel. I never published it, and probably never will. It’s just too personal and not terribly interesting. Eventually I started working on another book, which is the current novel I am editing (which I’m super excited about!!).
Almost three years ago, God rocked my world when I was introduced to a Christian blog that I loved so much. I loved the way the author was so open and honest about her life and faith, and the way the Lord used her to impact the lives of other women. I wanted to do that, so I started my own blog. As I keep growing, I can see that blogging is no easy task, but I’m in love with it. My goal is to glorify God with my writing the best that I can.
So now you know what and why I write. As to where I write? That would be either curled up in my recliner, in bed with my cat, or at my little portable card table set up in my room. Sometimes I still doodle poetry in class, but most of the time I find myself daydreaming of characters and blog post ideas. Oh the life of a writer!
Thanks for reading! Do you like to write? Tell me about your love of writing and why you do it in the comments below!
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Dainty M
I’m happy you took on this challenge Emily! Challenges like this push us to break our limits and let our creative side come fully alive. It was nice catching up on your challenge so far! (Binge reading can be cool sometimes) 😉 I look forward to the subsequent posts. <3
fearfullywonderfullyme
Haha you are my little blog troll for the day (it’s okay though). I’m glad you’re enjoying it! There will be a regular post on Wednesday and then the challenge will continue Friday!
mariewikle
These look like awesome writing prompts. May have to nab it for later!! I love to read poetry, but have never been good at writing it.
fearfullywonderfullyme
Thanks Marie! And feel free to join in anytime 😊
Lauren C. Moye
I love to write. I thought I started in kindergarten (with more pictures in the stories than words), but I’ve found some sprawling scrabble from even before that. It really shocked me when I found it because I couldn’t even read until almost the end of kindergarten, but I put a date on one of the scribbles. I used to sit in my Mom’s office and ask her how to spell words and write numbers. It’s the only way I can explain it.
I declared I wanted to be a writer in first grade (because I was tired of always changing my answer when people asked me what I wanted to be) and I’ve stuck with it.
Thank you for sharing your story, and for encouraging me to reflect on fond memories of my own. 🙂
fearfullywonderfullyme
Thanks for sharing Lauren! That’s so cool how early you got a start on writing. A child’s mind truly is amazing. Thanks for your encouragement!
beckielindsey
Thanks for sharing.
I’ve enjoyed reading and writing since I was a young girl. I wrote poems and songs then eventually started hand-writing books until my parents got a typewriter. I worked for a newspaper when I was eighteen. When I got married and had children, writing went on the back burner while I raised kids.
Once my oldest was high school, I started to write, but not seriously. I always considered it more of a hobby. But I began sensing that God wanted me to write when my kids encouraged me. I homeschool them and they enjoyed the Bible studies that I wrote for them.
I decide to enter a poetry contest to “test” and see if I should really pursue writing seriously. Guess what? I won! From there I began taking classes and attending writer’s conferences and reading, reading, and reading. Then I began submitting to magazines and my local newspaper. As I began to get some articles published, I decide to start a blog.
I’m now finishing the first set of edits on my YA novel and a Bible study I co-authored.
Thanks for allowing me to share.
Blessings on your writing, Emily!
Beckie from Spotlight: beckielindsey.com
Here’s the link to the poetry contest I won. It’s Blue Mountain Cards. You may want to submit:
http://www.sps.com/poetry/
fearfullywonderfullyme
Wow, that’s awesome to hear Becky! Thanks for sharing. It’s obvious that you are gifted and God will always reward your obedience. Thanks so much for the link. I will gladly check it out! God bless you.
Erin
It’s fun to see how other people fell in love with writing. I fell in love with writing and blogging just because it’s the “one thing” I’m good at. I’m good at more than one thing, but this is the one avenue where I can (and do) influence others.
Thanks for sharing how you got into it! 🙂
fearfullywonderfullyme
Thanks for sharing Erin! I’m sure you’re talented in many things. Writing has always been a way to express myself and feel happy.
Courtney
That was so cool getting to know a little bit more about your life – I always love hearing people’s stories!
And congrads on getting an honorable mention in that poetry contest, that’s really exciting!
I also got hooked on reading a particular blog, which sparked an interest in blogging for me—although the thing that ultimately helped me make the decision was when I found out that a close friend had a blog. It was all downhill from there.😂😊
I’m looking forward to following this challenge! These are so fun to read!
fearfullywonderfullyme
Thanks Courtney! It’s a fun challenge for sure. I’m so glad I could join you in this 😊