I'm
a music instructor by day and writer by night, or any time I'm not
teaching for that matter. If music is my first love, then writing is
my true love. Ever since I can remember, I've always been a voracious
reader. My nose would always be stuck in a book whether it was a
novel behind a textbook during school or hiding under the covers with
a flashlight past bedtime. When I'm not writing (or editing), I'm
usually involved in one of my other interests including: going to
book clubs, garden design, viticulture/vineyard management, gourmet
cooking, needlepointing, skiing, playing the violin, spending time
with family and friends, watching movies/documentaries, traveling,
going to art shows, running, attending church, and
mentoring/volunteering.
I
clearly remember when I started writing––the summer I was
thirteen. My mom and I spent the summer in Alberta, Canada taking
care of my grandma. During that time, I had the idea of writing my
own novel since I loved to read them so much. And I did. It was
seventy-eight pages, had two star-crossed lovers...and a barn (yeah,
I'm not sure about the barn
either...). Although I still have the manuscript, it's buried
in a box in the basement and will never see the light of day. The
thought of my writing then compared to now is cringeworthy, but it
reminds me of the adage: despise not small beginnings. Everyone has
to start somewhere no matter what it is. (Something to note
that I clearly didn't remember––A
few years ago when going through a stack of old elementary school
keepsakes, I found a booklet on what I wanted to be when I grew up.
In it, it said I wanted to be an author. The validation and insight
it gave regarding writing perhaps being my destiny was incredible!!)
This
summer marks the release of my debut novel, M. de V.A.LL.E. It has
been two and a half years in the making. Even though I've written
since middle school, I have never put the polishing touches on a
story. I would either jump ship halfway or skip over sections I
didn't want to write and never come back to them. A new idea always
seemed more exciting than continuing with a current one. Before
starting 'M', I promised myself that no matter what it took, I'd
finish the next novel I started. So, fast forwarding almost three
years, I've almost made good on that promise! I've learned many
valuable things along the way about the writing process, but mainly
how much diligence and hard work it truly takes. I have a greater
appreciation for fellow authors and books in general.
My
previous life experiences and network of support prepared me for this
journey. Competitive swimming in high school, music throughout my
life, and the way I was raised instilled the discipline and work
ethic I needed to be successful at writing. Also, my family and
close friends have been so instrumental in encouraging me to keep
moving forward––to keep writing through the hard times. In
addition, early on in the process I joined a critique group with
three smart and talented women. We were able to be candid with each
other and give honest feedback. I know critique groups can get a lot
of censure at times, but it made me think critically about my story
when I had to defend or explain why I wrote it the way I did. I know
I could never have finished without the support of these wonderful
people in my life!
I
like to define my writing as relationship based. While I wrote 'M' in
a minimalistic style with suspense and themes of deception, betrayal,
love, and promises kept, the focus is on individuals connecting with
each other. How people interact. Why they treat one another the way
they do. What are their motivations? Their background.
Cultures
are fascinating to me––how we live life so differently from one
another, yet at the most basic level, exactly the same. I'm a first
generation American born to two first generation Canadians whose
parents emigrated from Ukraine. But a story doesn't stop there. It
never does. By digging deeper, I could find out how many generations
were native Ukrainians. Where the Austrian and Jewish influence
entered the mix. Were they fleeing persecution or oppression from the
hands of the Russian or Austro-Hungarian empires? Or maybe they were
just looking for a better life. I may never know all of the details,
but that doesn't make it any less compelling!
Yet,
the majority of stories go unheard. It is speculated that thirteen
years ago there were one million authors to a total population of
seven billion. That's roughly a one in seven thousand ratio. Imagine
the stories that go untold to the world. I know it's unrealistic––and
unfeasible––to assume everyone can be heard (or wants to be heard
for that matter). That's why it makes our job as writers even more
imperative. We can learn something from one another, can all relate
and sympathize (perhaps even empathize) together.
We
all have our stories to tell...each and every one of us.
