My Writing, From the Beginning

I probably shouldn't admit this, but my very first attempt at writing a book was when I was probably in sixth grade. It was a paranormal action-adventure, you might say, about a little boy's toy soldiers who came to life at night and carried out missions like getting crackers and cheese from the kitchen. Um, it was never really more than a few pages... and will stay that way. (Yes, I know I'm not: a) a little boy, b) an action-adventure author, and c) a fan of cheese and crackers... okay, maybe I am a fan of cheese and crackers.)

My first attempt at as a grown-up author was a Western/Colonial historical called A DAUGHTER'S PROMISE, about an Texas-raised heroine whose father sends her back to Boston to live with her godfather when he dies. The godfather just happened to have a son her age and, well, needless to say there was a romance brewing. I think I wrote about fifty pages of that one. It was all very complex and emotional and heart-wrenching. (Note to future readers: my books are not emotional and heart-wrenching reads.)

Next was a contemporary romance set in the Miami Beach club scene, titled, um, CLUB SCENE. This was my first real attempt at a whole book and--although I got bored halfway through and switched to the book that I would eventually finish--taught me the most about how to write effectively, how to compose and construct a story, and how to actually make myself sit down and write. Plus, my hero was based on Paul Walker and, well, we all know how I feel about Paul Walker. Um... yum!

I think the most important thing to keep in mind about all these "first tries" is that each taught us something about writing--yes, even the ones we never finished--and without all those baby steps, we wouldn't be the authors we are today.

Hugs,
TLC

OH. MY. GODS.
Dutton Children's Books
May 2008