http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-you-are-a-writer/
I guess I will have to begin at the beginning. My earliest recollection of my creating stories originated in my preschool years while watching MIGHTY MOUSE cartoons. I loved how this super mouse came singing to save the day, rescuing many, especially damsels in distress! Inspired, I would sit and draw my own MIGHTY MOUSE stories following each episode! My mother soon found me creating and drawing stories inspired by many delightful books from library, or shows and movies that I loved. I was particularly fond on magical stories, such as Cinderella, Superman, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, and oh, so many more! I always delighted in wonderful stories and, impassioned, I’d draw, tell or write out the vivid stories my own imagination would create! In my childish heart, I was thrilled with the possibility of my secret wish…to write and illustrate children's books!
Seeing my artistic passion, my mother sought out scrap paper from local businesses. She kept our game closet stocked with paper and kept a cup full of pencils for my use. She made sure I learned early on how to sharpen my own pencils and encouraged me to create to my hearts' content after chores and homework. Mother placed my creations in a file folder. After a few years, she had to start weeding out many drawings into the trash as she simply did not have enough room to store them all! My siblings had similar creative talents, but only two of us were passionate.
As my schooling grew intense and opportunities to work, perform vocally, and serve in my local communities took hold in my teenage years, my time to draw and create was almost nil. However, I continued telling bedtime stories to my nieces, nephews and babysitting charges, drawing them pictures of these stories to color. One summer, my sister’s family came to Arizona for the summer. We had so much fun together, but when it was time for them to go home, I drew little story booklets to read and color on their long drive back to Utah. My parents were so amazed at the coloring booklets, that they made hundreds of copies of my original work. Giving their grandchildren back the originals, they proceeded to put the coloring booklets in local businesses of friends. Since these were just photocopy booklets with no real marketing plan, they did not sell well. Eventually, the majority of them came back home and were given away as freebies to any children we met. Still reading a lot of fiction, children's books included, I began to doubt my ability to ever create anything so amazing! My imagination kept creating, I wrote down these stories to appease the demand of my mind to get them on paper.
I continued to create posters, fliers, bulletin boards, coloring pictures, etc. for church, community and school. I studied art and elementary education in college, thinking that as a teacher, I could use my passion in reading, writing and drawing for students and my own children when I married. The hope of writing and illustrating children's books hovered secretly in my heart. After our sixth child was born, I worked with an author from an educational company on her new project, a children's book on the life of Jesus Christ. I was thrilled at the opportunity and worked diligently illustrating this book for many months. As we finished, the company decided to not publish it. We were saddened that it never went to print. The company never paid the $3,000 balance owed on my illustrations. However, I’m grateful to have color photocopies of each painting in my portfolio. This project encouraged me to submit a couple of my own simple stories I had done for my children. I received polite rejection letters, again feeling very doubtful of my abilities. Perhaps another day I could fulfill my dream to write and illustrate children's books.
I finished my teacher studies and began teaching school. My creativity expanded as I taught and tutored children. I told my students, "I want to be a children's book author-illustrator" when we would discuss the topic of 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' They’d laugh and tell me, “You are already a grown-up and a teacher!” I would then ask them, "Don't you think I could write and illustrate children's stories too?" They all agreed that I could. I loved their young votes of confidence! As a teacher, I found that chapter books for early readers in schools and libraries were very limited. I desired to create more chapter books for first, second and third grade students to enjoy.
In September of 2011, I developed a pulmonary embolism while teaching my dual language second grade-third grade combo class. I ended up in the hospital and my teaching career came to a halt. Within the next year, while under treatment, doing part-time tutoring, and helping to care for my father-in-law, I decided to write and illustrate my version of Cinderella. I would sit and sketch and paint my illustrations after I made sure his needs were met. I posted my Cinderella story, chapter by chapter, on my blog and invited family and friends to read it. I was encouraged in their expressions of delight as they read each chapter to their children. Within a few months, I was ready to work with createspace.com to publish my first children's book, SOOTYcinders...A Cinderella Tale. It came out in August 2012 and I felt, “I am an author-illustrator for children!” Having enjoyed this process immensely, I decided to self-publish my second children's book, A MAGICAL MAIDEN and A MINSTREL, recently published in May 2013.
With my imagination still flowing, I’ve written my third chapter book for young readers and begun sketches for the illustrations. I’m so thankful for all that I am learning and enjoying in this new career. I continue to work with children and enjoy the creative stories of others...these are my muses!
When did you know?
What led you to becoming a writer? What did you go through to get here? Do you remember the moment you finally realized that’s what you are? Or, did it come to you gradually? How did you feel when you finally realized it? Were you elated, or doubtful, or both?
- See more at: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-you-are-a-writer/#sthash.TgbPyi5V.dpuf
What led you to becoming a writer? What did you go through to get here? Do you remember the moment you finally realized that’s what you are? Or, did it come to you gradually? How did you feel when you finally realized it? Were you elated, or doubtful, or both?
- See more at: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-you-are-a-writer/#sthash.TgbPyi5V.dpuf
How to enter:
- Post your essay between 300 to 1000 words on your blog as a blog post. (You need a blog.)
- Consider leading in to your post with: “I am participating in the ‘Writing Contest: You Are A Writer’ held by Positive Writer.” You can phrase it as you like, but please make sure there is a hyperlink back to this blog post.
- Come back to this post and paste the link to your entry in the comments.
How to enter:
- Post your essay between 300 to 1000 words on your blog as a blog post. (You need a blog.)
- Consider leading in to your post with: “I am participating in the ‘Writing Contest: You Are A Writer’ held by Positive Writer.” You can phrase it as you like, but please make sure there is a hyperlink back to this blog post.
- Come back to this post and paste the link to your entry in the comments.
How to enter:
- Post your essay between 300 to 1000 words on your blog as a blog post. (You need a blog.)
- Consider leading in to your post with: “I am participating in the ‘Writing Contest: You Are A Writer’ held by Positive Writer.” You can phrase it as you like, but please make sure there is a hyperlink back to this blog post.
- Come back to this post and paste the link to your entry in the comments.
Writing Contest: You Are A Writer!
by | 17 Comments
When did you know?
What led you to becoming a writer? What did you go through to get here? Do you remember the moment you finally realized that’s what you are? Or, did it come to you gradually? How did you feel when you finally realized it? Were you elated, or doubtful, or both?
Those are the type of things I’d love to know about you and when you finally knew: You Are A Writer.
So much so that I have created Positive Writer’s First Writing Contest!
Your entry will be an essay that shares your story about when you finally knew that YES, you are a writer!
I am running this contest to find out where that spark started for others, because it was a major watershed moment in my life.
I’ll be looking for how well you share your story in an inspiring way.
I’m not looking for technically perfect stories. I am looking for real stories that touch and move me, and I believe will inspire others to take up the craft.
Writing is your calling, but when did you know, and how did you come to this realization and acceptance?
Maybe it was very difficult for you to finally admit that writing is what you were meant to do, or, perhaps you had to overcome doubts and fears that you could ever write well enough.
Perhaps you feared others would laugh at you or ridicule you for calling yourself a writer.
Maybe someone convinced you that writing was not worth doing because it doesn’t pay or another reason, so you gave up the dream, but eventually came back to it because that’s what you are: A Writer!
Maybe you’ve always known that you were meant to be a writer.
Each of us has a story to tell and we can use our stories to inspire and encourage the next generation of writers.
Share your story.
Most bloggers are looking for a fresh topic to write about, so here you go. You just happen to also be able to enter it into a fun contest, too.
How to enter:
What led you to becoming a writer? What did you go through to get here? Do you remember the moment you finally realized that’s what you are? Or, did it come to you gradually? How did you feel when you finally realized it? Were you elated, or doubtful, or both?
Those are the type of things I’d love to know about you and when you finally knew: You Are A Writer.
So much so that I have created Positive Writer’s First Writing Contest!
You Are A Writer – Writing Contest
This contest will run from 19 June until 30 August 2013.
The prizes are Amazon gift cards: 1st $75, 2nd $50, and 3rd $25.Your entry will be an essay that shares your story about when you finally knew that YES, you are a writer!
I am running this contest to find out where that spark started for others, because it was a major watershed moment in my life.
I’ll be looking for how well you share your story in an inspiring way.
I’m not looking for technically perfect stories. I am looking for real stories that touch and move me, and I believe will inspire others to take up the craft.
Writing is your calling, but when did you know, and how did you come to this realization and acceptance?
Maybe it was very difficult for you to finally admit that writing is what you were meant to do, or, perhaps you had to overcome doubts and fears that you could ever write well enough.
Perhaps you feared others would laugh at you or ridicule you for calling yourself a writer.
Maybe someone convinced you that writing was not worth doing because it doesn’t pay or another reason, so you gave up the dream, but eventually came back to it because that’s what you are: A Writer!
Maybe you’ve always known that you were meant to be a writer.
Each of us has a story to tell and we can use our stories to inspire and encourage the next generation of writers.
Share your story.
Most bloggers are looking for a fresh topic to write about, so here you go. You just happen to also be able to enter it into a fun contest, too.
How to enter:
- Post your essay between 300 to 1000 words on your blog as a blog post. (You need a blog.)
- Consider leading in to your post with: “I am participating in the ‘Writing Contest: You Are A Writer’ held by Positive Writer.” You can phrase it as you like, but please make sure there is a hyperlink back to this blog post.
- Come back to this post and paste the link to your entry in the comments.
Writing Contest: You Are A Writer!
by | 17 Comments
When did you know?
What led you to becoming a writer? What did you go through to get here? Do you remember the moment you finally realized that’s what you are? Or, did it come to you gradually? How did you feel when you finally realized it? Were you elated, or doubtful, or both?
Those are the type of things I’d love to know about you and when you finally knew: You Are A Writer.
So much so that I have created Positive Writer’s First Writing Contest!
Your entry will be an essay that shares your story about when you finally knew that YES, you are a writer!
I am running this contest to find out where that spark started for others, because it was a major watershed moment in my life.
I’ll be looking for how well you share your story in an inspiring way.
I’m not looking for technically perfect stories. I am looking for real stories that touch and move me, and I believe will inspire others to take up the craft.
Writing is your calling, but when did you know, and how did you come to this realization and acceptance?
Maybe it was very difficult for you to finally admit that writing is what you were meant to do, or, perhaps you had to overcome doubts and fears that you could ever write well enough.
Perhaps you feared others would laugh at you or ridicule you for calling yourself a writer.
Maybe someone convinced you that writing was not worth doing because it doesn’t pay or another reason, so you gave up the dream, but eventually came back to it because that’s what you are: A Writer!
Maybe you’ve always known that you were meant to be a writer.
Each of us has a story to tell and we can use our stories to inspire and encourage the next generation of writers.
Share your story.
Most bloggers are looking for a fresh topic to write about, so here you go. You just happen to also be able to enter it into a fun contest, too.
How to enter:
What led you to becoming a writer? What did you go through to get here? Do you remember the moment you finally realized that’s what you are? Or, did it come to you gradually? How did you feel when you finally realized it? Were you elated, or doubtful, or both?
Those are the type of things I’d love to know about you and when you finally knew: You Are A Writer.
So much so that I have created Positive Writer’s First Writing Contest!
You Are A Writer – Writing Contest
This contest will run from 19 June until 30 August 2013.
The prizes are Amazon gift cards: 1st $75, 2nd $50, and 3rd $25.Your entry will be an essay that shares your story about when you finally knew that YES, you are a writer!
I am running this contest to find out where that spark started for others, because it was a major watershed moment in my life.
I’ll be looking for how well you share your story in an inspiring way.
I’m not looking for technically perfect stories. I am looking for real stories that touch and move me, and I believe will inspire others to take up the craft.
Writing is your calling, but when did you know, and how did you come to this realization and acceptance?
Maybe it was very difficult for you to finally admit that writing is what you were meant to do, or, perhaps you had to overcome doubts and fears that you could ever write well enough.
Perhaps you feared others would laugh at you or ridicule you for calling yourself a writer.
Maybe someone convinced you that writing was not worth doing because it doesn’t pay or another reason, so you gave up the dream, but eventually came back to it because that’s what you are: A Writer!
Maybe you’ve always known that you were meant to be a writer.
Each of us has a story to tell and we can use our stories to inspire and encourage the next generation of writers.
Share your story.
Most bloggers are looking for a fresh topic to write about, so here you go. You just happen to also be able to enter it into a fun contest, too.
How to enter:
- Post your essay between 300 to 1000 words on your blog as a blog post. (You need a blog.)
- Consider leading in to your post with: “I am participating in the ‘Writing Contest: You Are A Writer’ held by Positive Writer.” You can phrase it as you like, but please make sure there is a hyperlink back to this blog post.
- Come back to this post and paste the link to your entry in the comments.
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