2014 was a pivotal year for me as a writer. In June, I dedicated myself full time to the writing life, accepted the honoured position of President of the Writers' Community of Durham Region, and wrote a new draft of my novel. In November, I signed with Sam Hiyate of The Rights Factory literary agency, and am now completing a new draft of The Legend of Three Crowns, my historical crossover trilogy. What a year!
The picture above was taken at a writing retreat at Le Point de Vue in Rigaud, Quebec. A spectacular sunrise that heralded a new day of imagining on the page. What a life!
Writing full time is a joy, even more so because of the wonderful people with whom I now interact. I think it's equally important to know the business side and the creative side of this industry, and I have a better understanding of this after working with WCDR and The Rights Factory, as well as the marvellous instructors and mentors I've been fortunate enough to meet, from Inkslingers, to Writescape, The Writing Fairy, Pat Schneider, Ontario Writers' Conference, Sherry Coman and Rich Helms, and all the incredible speakers at WCDR. It's all part of the journey. And what a journey!
It's a path full (and fraught) with surprises. Every one of the people I've encountered, including the talented writers in my 'Durham5' writers' circle and the board members of the WCDR has surprised me. The insights, the excitement, the revelations, and the affinity for story all come from a unique interaction amongst dedicated writers who know how to spin magic!
A pitch article I wrote for WCDR's upcoming U25 RoundTable in March will give you some insight into the journey of becoming a professional writer- and the surprises that often lead to untried yet productive paths.
Being a writer is a perpetual state of surprise; you never know what will come hurtling at you or where it will land. But that's a big part of the appeal. There may be no true rainbows at the end of any story, but there certainly are all kinds of colours if you look close enough.
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