Writing Takes Over

Two years ago, I wasn't even considering the possibility of ever becoming a writer.  I was perfectly happy (if by happy, I mean pretty much miserable) working at Blockbuster and trying to figure out where the hell my life was going to go.  How I was going to get out of Blockbuster without going to a job that I hated more than that one.

Then, as I'm sure all of you know by now, I discovered nano, and suddenly my life changed.

I knew what I wanted to do.  I want to be an author.  I want make a living by publishing my books.  I want, more than anything in the world, to see my name in print.  (Okay, so it's my initials rather than my full name, but close enough.)

Other the last two years, I've been developing my craft.  I've written nine full books, and two half books that will probably never be finished (though don't tell them that.)  I realize that sounds like a lot, and you're probably wondering what I've been doing with those books.  I have the answer: nothing.  None of them have been the book that has made me want to sit down and edit.  Only two of them have I been able to picture on the shelf, and one of them actually has me wanting to edit (which is a HUGE step for me.)

Now, though, as I'm sitting down getting ready to work on that novel, and thinking about one of the four (yes, four.  Yes, I'm insane) books that I'll be writing in November I'm starting to realize just how much writing has taken over my life.

I am now part of a critique group.  Every other week we meet up to tear apart each other's work (and give them encouragement, of course).  When I'm at my day job, all I think about is the work I want to do (and have to do) when I get home.  I was out for supper tonight, and before everyone got there, when we were just sitting waiting for a table to be ready, I had the distinct thought of 'I could be editing right now'.

Aside from the actually writing parts, I participate in a poker night (which basically consists of my critique group with the addition of one person's husband.)  I do a gaming night every once in a while (again, critique group minus a few).  I attend the monthly nano meet ups that my local nano group hosts.  This year I even went to a writing conference here in Calgary.

Then there's the beta reading.  I did my first one this past week, and I've been asked by another friend to do one this week (which I will *hopefully* be starting tonight or tomorrow so I can get her feedback as soon as possible)

I feel like writing has slowly taken over my life.  I'm pretty sure I only have about one friend outside of the writing realm left, and I'm honestly not all that upset about it.

Today one of the girls at work told me that I didn't seem all that excitable or hyper, and while I did seem relatively happy, it wasn't overly so.  When I relayed that to my friends today they actually went silent in surprise, then my boyfriend asked if she was talking about me or another Danni.

Truth be told, I can be myself around my writing friends because they understand me.  And that's something that no one can truly understand until they've experienced it themselves.  People who don't give you a confused look when you randomly put your characters in the middle of conversations (most of my friends just add their characters and make it all the stranger).

My day job doesn't make me happy.  It makes me want to stab myself in the eye with my pen.  Unfortunately all that would do is land me in the hospital with no vision in one eye and a perfectly good pen would be ruined.  So, I'm trying to avoid it.

Currently I have a goal of submitting my novel to agents starting in January.  I'm not expecting miracles.  I realize I'm going to have to stay at my current job until money starts to come in, and I trust my income enough to quit.  But it's a step in the right direction.

Because, one day, writing is going to completely take over.  Let me tell you, that day can't come soon enough.