A few years ago when I first saw the word "blog" I had no idea of what it was and later when I found out, I thought I could never do that. I really didn't have anything to contribute. But I have changed my mind. I may not blog about current affairs or products and services, but I do love to write and so I created this blog to be used as a tool for me and hopefully entertainment for those who read it.
I may write something silly and inconsequential, or I might get serious and just write about what I am feeling or what is going on in my life. Either way, it is my tool of expression, my way of continuing my craft and my love of writing.
I have been a writer since way back. I have written short stories and little poems for the family and never ever thought about becoming a writer as a profession. I just love to write and have people read what I write and enjoy the story I tell.
I've said it many times but it is true. When my brother and I were growing up, we lived on the edge of a small town and there weren't many neighbors, especially children so we only had each other. Our mother always read to us but sometimes she would just sit and spin a tale for us. I can still see her sitting on the porch or perhaps we were traveling in the car and she would be telling a story. She had a knack of entertaining us with her stories of children or animals. But it came naturally to her as well. She had grown up in a large family, long before every household had a radio or if they did, it was limited to what was broadcast and certainly long before television came along. So her mother entertained her children with story telling. My grandfather could spin a tale as well.
Maybe that is why I have wanted to write. I like to tell a story and I know I have a huge imagination. But that comes from my brother and I growing up together and playing. We used to watch the clouds in the sky and both of us would visualize shapes and animals and then we would start making up a story about them. We had imaginations that extended beyond our actual toys. We could live in mansions or he would use his cars to build roads and race. We went to the matinees as we got a little older and of course when we came home, we had to re-enact the movie we had seen. Most were westerns but there were some gangster type we saw occasionally.
When we got our first TV, a whole new world opened up to us as we watched the cowboy shows, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Cisco Kid and others. We watched space shows, circus shows and theater presentations. It just fed our imaginations as we pretended we were those characters or were with them.
When someone asks me, "Why did you become a writer?" I tell them, there is something inside me that just has to be said. Whether I'm telling a story or writing, there are times when I feel I will bust if I can't get the words out. I may be grocery shopping or driving my car and an idea will strike. I can hardly wait to get to my computer and start to work. I have let my housekeeping slide at times as that need to write is so overwhelming that I cannot concentrate on anything else.
I am very fortunate in the fact that I had a lot of support from my family. My mother always encouraged me and for years my husband kept after me and when I did finally published my first book, he became my biggest supporter. He even made sure I had a place where I could write without to much interference and overlooked the fact that I might not have got the vacuuming done or there were still breakfast dishes in the sink. He knew I would get to it but he also knew that I had to get those words down on paper.
I can't say it is an obsession with me but when the muse is teasing my thoughts I have to stop what I'm doing and start writing. It is my outlet for my emotions and allows me to reach deep into my mind and soul to express my feelings. I am a part of every story I've ever written and I hate to see a story end as I feel I'm losing friends and maybe a part of me too.
But there are times when I have no thoughts to write down. That is when I feel anxious and at a loss as to what to do. I get my housework done, I may watch television or go visit with a neighbor or when it is cool enough, I work out in the yard. But I'm still thinking about my next story and looking for something that might spark an idea.
This morning I woke up early and decided to go out onto the porch to have my coffee. It was about 78 degrees and a little muggy but not too bad. I sat there listening to the birds singing, watching the outdoor kitties play knowing they were enjoying the coolness of the morning and would be in a shady spot later. I watched as the sun emerged shining its orange and gold colors through the clouds and breaking through to form that bright yellow ball in the sky. I also knew it would be another hot day. I enjoyed those few moments of peace and quiet. There were no cars, no voices from neighbors and even the dogs on the next block were quiet. It was a perfect morning to start the day.
I've let my blog go without much to add. It isn't that I don't want to come here, but I haven't taken the time to just let my hair down and chat away. But now, I've chatted long enough and it is time to get busy here. The dishes are done, the pets have been fed and watered so now it is my time and so I will plug in the flash drive and escape into another world.
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