How Long Have You Been Writing?

[Tarin]

How long have you been actively and consistently writing?

[Katharine]

Actively and consistently... It's been about ten years since I began co-writing scripts for church drama productions, seven years since I began my WIP, but then there was that two-year shelving while I gave in to doubts and didn't work on my fiction stuff. So, yes, about ten years, Tarin!

[Country Girl]

The first time I read The Hidden Stair Case, by Carol Keene, I wanted to be a mystery writer. Not an uncommon ambition for an eight year old, really. From there, I continued to write short stories. I loved English classes, writing classes, and journaling. (I could fill a library of journals). But the word "consistently" turns everything around. As far as, everyday...sitting down to write...it's only been a few months. I finally have a goal -- a children's book I'm writing. I would say I've had a passion for putting pen to paper since eight, but since I got married in January, I've harnessed by passion into flat out PERSISTANCE.

There's my blurb out myself...for the century.

[michaelsnyder]

I asked my wife the other day how long I'd been writing. She figured it out for me. About six years. Went by really fast too!

[kshsj777]

I've been seriously writing for about three years, but first started writing fiction about six years ago.

[Tommie Lyn]

I started my first novel almost three years ago.

I'd tried as a young adult, about 40 years ago, to write a story. It stunk. I tried again a few years later, with the same result. I knew from those experiences that I didn't have the ability to write.

Then I learned some things while doing genealogical research and thought they should be revealed in novel form (because the general populace isn't prone to picking up dry, dusty history tomes but will read something entertaining). I tried to manipulate others into writing these novels but no one would. Someone finally told me, "If you want it written, write it." I tried. It stunk.

But I couldn't let go of it.

So, in January of 2006, I signed up for two online writing classes (one of which was designed to put a person in touch with his/her creativity, the other was a "Show, Don't Tell" class) and began reading how-to-write books. And discovered that writing is something that can be learned -- it isn't an ability that you are either born with or not.

So, now I'm writing and I can't stop......

[righter1]

Other than about an 18 - 24 month hiatus around the time I got married, I've been writing since I was 14. I'm 26 now, so 10 - 12 years. :)

[Thebigguy]

I've been writing consistantly for the past year. Story doesn't seem to get anywhere though.

[Thebigguy]

I started my first novel almost three years ago.

I'd tried as a young adult, about 40 years ago, to write a story. It stunk. I tried again a few years later, with the same result. I knew from those experiences that I didn't have the ability to write.

Then I learned some things while doing genealogical research and thought they should be revealed in novel form (because the general populace isn't prone to picking up dry, dusty history tomes but will read something entertaining). I tried to manipulate others into writing these novels but no one would. Someone finally told me, "If you want it written, write it." I tried. It stunk.

But I couldn't let go of it.

So, in January of 2006, I signed up for two online writing classes (one of which was designed to put a person in touch with his/her creativity, the other was a "Show, Don't Tell" class) and began reading how-to-write books. And discovered that writing is something that can be learned -- it isn't an ability that you are either born with or not.

So, now I'm writing and I can't stop......
Thanks Tommy I've been rather down about my writing lately I have been reading writing books but I think I'm too sensitive I let one person read what I wrote and well the comment wasn't too good, got me thinking and questioning wether I should be writng, I guess I just need to step back more and say ok does this make any sense.

[Tarin]

Thanks for the replies. It's interesting to learn about everyone's writing journeys. :)

I started writing short stories a smidge over ten years ago. Started novel writing not long after - and haven't stopped since. ;)

[Tommie Lyn]

Thanks Tommy I've been rather down about my writing lately I have been reading writing books but I think I'm too sensitive I let one person read what I wrote and well the comment wasn't too good, got me thinking and questioning wether I should be writng, I guess I just need to step back more and say ok does this make any sense.

Don't get discouraged. If I hadn't given up years ago, if I had worked at learning to write back then, I might have enjoyed years of writing. Just remember, writing is a craft and it can be learned. Each piece you write gives you an opportunity to learn more, to hone your abilities, so each piece is valuable to you in some way. Keep plugging away, studying, learning and practicing.

[VLSmith]

I have dreamed of becoming an author since I was in junior high. Twice in the past 15 years I tried to write a book, but each time I only put about ten pages on paper. Finally, in January of 2007 I started writing and didn't stop. So far I've completed a 110,000 word fantasy novel and three short stories. One of the shorts has been published. I'm 32,000 words into my next novel and I hope to finish it by the end of September.

[Gravity]

Just about ten years. I started writing my first Joe Box novel, Sock Monkey Blues, in 1999, and in late 2000 I was done. In early 2001 I then lost it to the infamous PublishAmerica (there was virtually nothing on the 'net about them then; now, of course, everyone's head the horror stories, and nobody's got any excuses).

About six months after that book's release I started trying to get the rights back, and in the meantime started writing a new JB story (during this time I also got a good agent). She sold that book--and two more in the series--in 2003, and they came out in 2004, 2005, and 2006 respectively. In early 2006 my attorney finally got the rights back to Sock Monkey Blues. I've since re-written it, this time with a new lead (Mac Ryan). My new agent Chip MacGregor is currently shopping that one, plus a spec-fic novel I've done (Better Days Than These; I mentioned this one in the "what is a one-page?" thread). I also have a couple other things going. Hey, keeps me off the streets!

[Lookin^Up]

I started in third grade, when my teacher gave us a writing assignment, and all my character were my classmates. Later, images from a dream I had caused caused me to move my classmates into a town called Dreamland, of which I was the king (the arrogance of a child), and a girl I liked was the queen.

There was a children's game show on TV at the time called Video Village, where children stepped on an oversized board game, one square per step, and it included various fun activities. One of the young contestants was named September, and that made me think: what if there was a whole family of children named after months of the year, living together? So I came up with the Ebbs family, of which only a few stories have survived--barely.

But the most prevailing images in my mind have always been of a family exploring outer space together, somewhat on the order of Lost in Space, though early on I realized there should be significant changes from the show. Eventually Savage Worlds was born, as was the entire series in due time, and I'm still adding layers to my unique Universe where God is not just a myth or a mention, but an active Player.

So the answer to the question that heads this thread is: about 47 years. However, if you want to add "consistently," probably you could subtract 10 years.

[AnnieJ]

I always wrote since I COULD write - plays, funny bits, poetry.
But decided to write in hope of publication in 1989. Sold my first book in '94 and have been writing and publishing consistently ever since.

annie jones

[melw]

it's been over 18 months since i found this site, and before that i always thought i was weird. But since then i have been writing a lot more. And can't believe i have actually finished a book (not editing).

I now love writing and have been to a few workshops too.

MEL

[kdawgs34]

About ten years. I have finished another novel I hope to have published because it is so much better than my first one.

[lynnmosher]

Seven months after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia (8 years ago), I had to start writing in obedience to the Lord's insistence. Years before that, I had dabbled in a little poetry but that was it. Learning and honing this ability the Lord has placed in me has taken consistent determination. It is now my passion. I deem it a great responsibility to carry out this calling. I am always in awe where the Lord takes me in my writing. It's a great trip!

[writegirl1949]

I'm one that's in the 20+ year bracket ... my first paying job for writing was as a journalist for the Army (civilian slot) in 1983. Since then I've written ... not necessarily consistently published but doing local and state freelancing and two years ago published my first novel.

I can't imagine NOT writing.

Blessings, Francine

[pprmint777]

Aside from writing stories, poems, and songs as a kid, I started writing my first novel Shattered Crystal about ten years ago. It was a hobby, and a way to blow time between treatments. When I got really sick a year after I started, I had to quit writing.

I didn't start seriously writing and studying the art of writing until three years ago, just after my 49th birthday. During times I'm not able to write, I have something akin to withdrawal symptoms.

[paulchernoch]

Four years and four months.

- Paul

[Timber Wolf]

How many years have you been actively pursuing your writing?

I selected less than a year. But I've liked writing for the last 35 years, and have been running from my WIP for 25 years. I'd occassionally jot down some idea related to it, or just random story ideas that came to me. But I never wanted to be a "writer," you know the whole "starving-artist" thing and all. Well, here I am.

[tlm]

actively and consistently

I have been writing for school papers and school anthologies since I was in JR. high. I studied journalism in college and had some freelance success. Then love, life, family and divorce got in the way. I had a few works published in this time, but, well, you know.

Anyway, all these things have made me more introspective and have caused me to be a better writer. In fact, after my divorce I went back to college to earn a degree that would actually pay a mortgage--since writing evidentially wasn't going to do that. Whenever I would turn a paper in to my psych professor he would write, "Why don't you try to get this essay published in a professional journal?

Gravity--

I never knew the time line of your involvement with PA. You must have signed your contract about the same time as I did. I received my acceptance 2 days after 911. Since I had heard that publishers were dumping projects and scrambling for new ones because of that event, I assumed that was why PA contacted me when they did. As you said, there was nothing about them then, and I got their address out of Sally Stewart's book.

[Gravity]

I got their address out of Sally Stewart's book.

Same here. Sally has since repented. :cool:

[Timber Wolf]

Just about ten years. I started writing my first Joe Box novel, Sock Monkey Blues, in 1999, and in late 2000 I was done. In early 2001 I then lost it to the infamous PublishAmerica (there was virtually nothing on the 'net about them then; now, of course, everyone's head the horror stories, and nobody's got any excuses).

....




When I picked up "Dogs" I thought it was the first in the series. Then I saw the ref to SMPB on the back cover, and you ref to the earlier case in "Dogs." I was wondering why I had spotted SMPB. Now I know why.





....

About six months after that book's release I started trying to get the rights back, and in the meantime started writing a new JB story (during this time I also got a good agent). She sold that book--and two more in the series--in 2003, and they came out in 2004, 2005, and 2006 respectively. In early 2006 my attorney finally got the rights back to Sock Monkey Blues. I've since re-written it, this time with a new lead (Mac Ryan). My new agent Chip MacGregor is currently shopping that one, plus a spec-fic novel I've done (Better Days Than These; I mentioned this one in the "what is a one-page?" thread). I also have a couple other things going. Hey, keeps me off the streets!

Well tell him to hurry up. :D I don't want to rad the old version if you re-wrote it.

Oh, and BTW you have given me faith in 1st person POV again. Before you I was reading and had to return and re-reserve ERB Chessmen of Mars, and some of his stuff is first person, bit other than that I have gotten turned off on 1st person because I read some really lousy books that were 1st person, and sub-consciously I think I blamed it on the author's POV, rather than just blaming the author.

[jacks girl]

I wrote my first story The Day the Sky Turned Green, a sci fi when I was 8. I'm 41 now and have written for WOW 31 years. I have written a lot of things, and some of it was good and some not. mostly i've written for my own entertainment.

until I found CW i never really thought I would ever do anything but write because I felt driven too. Just didn't think I had what it took to finish a novel and get it published. so now that is what I'm doing. But I've written since i was 8 and made up stories before that with make believe friends that hung out with me and mom.

I've taken times in my life that I didn't write as often, but a file cabinet full of started stories and several notebook with story ideas is a testimony of my love of writing. Oh yea and about 20 floppies and now disks. LOL.

Jacks Girl

[ProfessorAlan]

20+.

that's cuz I'm old.

[Naomi Musch]

I'm a year behind LookinUp. When I was 10 years old I told my 4th grade teacher, "I'm going to be an author" and handed her my first 4 ghost stories.

By Jr. High I'd written two novellas, both tragedies, as was well suited to my pre-teen/teen female disposition.

In high school I turned to journalism and won 2nd place in the state of Wisconsin for feature writing and our school was presented an award by Jane Fonda. I also got 2 small scholarships.

But I dropped out of college to let my husband support me in the manner to which I was accustomed (we were always broke) and have since been pursuing the GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL in one form or another.

Still, procrastinator that I've been known to be, I've only been devoted to publishing said novel for a few short years (it's novel #5 in my drawer that I have the biggest dreams for.)

Yeah, that does put me in the 25+ year category. The wait has been good. I've become a better writer for having to school myself through all those manuscripts. (I'm married to a very patient man . . .)

[tlm]

In high school I turned to journalism and won 2nd place in the state of Wisconsin for feature writing and our school was presented an award by Jane Fonda.

Impressive, ya got a picture?

[Ransom v. Unman]

All right, this question made me feel old.

Technically I've been "actively and consistently" writing since I first learned the alphabet and rudimentary spelling - about four years old. But I never really got serious trying to write stories, plays, etc. and putting them down, fleshing out characters, coming up with plot and all that rot until I was around fourteen years old.

Well, that's over ten years now... :eek:

[jacks girl]

Thats not that old. Feel Good. Enjoy life. Cause one day you will feel old. LOL!

[Naomi Musch]

Impressive, ya got a picture?

No, Toni, no picture. In fact, I don't even have a copy of the article that won the award in the first place. I wish I did. :(It was on teenage shoplifting.

[Timber Wolf]

All right, this question made me feel old.

Technically I've been "actively and consistently" writing since I first learned the alphabet and rudimentary spelling - about four years old. But I never really got serious trying to write stories, plays, etc. and putting them down, fleshing out characters, coming up with plot and all that rot until I was around fourteen years old.

Well, that's over ten years now... :eek:

OH YEAH Old <SNORT!>

[tlm]

All right, this question made me feel old.

HAH! Obviously you don't yet know what feeling old really feels like. Just wait till you are taking arthritis strength--everything!

[Sheri]

Hi,
I think I'm right at five years (not counting poetry and humor/fodder for my family). I wasn't sure which box to mark 1-5 or 5-10 !!:o I write short Christian living articles but I'm starting in on fiction. Just signed up for a class on fiction writing this fall at our community college. I'm so excited--I want to go buy a lunch box!

[SuzinIL]

I've been writing fiction for a little less than 2 years. And BOY have I learned a lot! Since then, I've progressed through writing the first draft (and doubting myself the entire way), learned all about newby mistakes and how to fix them from my critique group and crit partners. I have also learned a great deal about the business since revising my novel. I've learned to write query letters, book proposals and synopes and sent out 28 queries (w/3 requests for partials) and I've just attended my first conference (where a publisher took my first 3 chapters and a synopsis!).

WOW, has it been a busy 2 years!
Suzanne :O)
www.suzanne-hartmann.blogspot.com

[writerpatty]

I started writing when I was in my earlier teens. It was mostly bad teen angst poetry that my older two children (thirteen and eleven) love to read and laugh at now. I also wrote a novel when I was fifteen. I lost the novel when my fancy word processor died and the disk wouldn't work in a real computer.

I've taken a long break, with bits of poetry thrown in here and there, once I got married and had kids.

I'm just getting back into it, now that my youngest is three. My husband has been very encouraging and so have my kids. I'm having a blast with it.

So, to answer your question, I have been writing for over twenty years.

Patty

[Tiata]

I don't even know how to answer this question. LOL

I Realized I wanted to write a novel at 10 y/o... but that's not what you asked is it?

I began writing poems and stories at about 12 y/o. I started taking my writing seriously after I got married nearly 20 years ago. I went to workshops and began a novel. I wrote a couple of children's books but didn't try to sell them. I wrote for newsletters and began to explore nonfiction. Wrote some articles, poems and inspirational pieces. I also started a nonfiction book.

Then one day, in a Christian bookstore, I saw "my" story sitting on the children's table. Of course another author with the same idea had actually made the efford and sold the story. It was the first time I really knew that I could do it if I would follow through. It's a real kick in the butt to see that someone else did what you should have.

That was about the time that we became parents. Over the past 10 years my DH and I have been busy parenting 3 special needs kiddos who joined our family through adoption. I've written but not consistantly.

In 2006 I joined NANO and began the WIP that I'm finishing now.

So maybe the answer is 30 something years, maybe it's 2? LOL

In Him,
(who establishes us in our work)
~T~

[smokey the dog]

How many years have you been actively pursuing your writing?


Hahahahaha! Smokey is on the floor with all 4 feet in the air. Can you say none? I just write things down when they come to me.

[shadowwriter]

the moment I started writing.. actually I would tell people stories and they would write them down. So almost all my life.

[journalwriter]

I started on my young adult novel about three years ago (with some months of not working on it in between with moves and change and such). I started journal writing when I was nineteen (I have a shelf bulging at the seams with all of my journals). I started writing essays regularly about 18 months ago when I joined a writer's group. I started on my memoirs about a year ago. I started a bonafide business, JournalWriter Freelance this year, so to me, it's official. That was an exciting step for me.

[Timber Wolf]

Ya know- I see all these responses for the longer periods of time. Yet I wonder if it's not a matter of how we use the term "Actively Pursuing."

[Tiata]

Ya know- I see all these responses for the longer periods of time. Yet I wonder if it's not a matter of how we use the term "Actively Pursuing."

LOL... it does leave interpretation wide open, doesn't it? I suppose one person could say that they have been "Actively pursuing" their writing for a year because they have been working on a manuscript. Another person could say they have been "Actively pursuing" their writing for a decade because they have been learning, training and growing as a writer.

Then again... maybe some of us older and 'well seasoned" folks don't want to admit to all that wasted time LOL

;)

In Him,
(who does a good work in us)
~T~

[Louchiere]

I have been writing since I was seven. It began with short stories. When I was about 15 I started writing poetry, at 16 I started my first novel. A few years ago I branched into articles, and various writing assignments to earn money. It's definately not an easy road lol But it's what I love, so it's what I do:)

[Timber Wolf]

LOL... it does leave interpretation wide open, doesn't it? I suppose one person could say that they have been "Actively pursuing" their writing for a year because they have been working on a manuscript. Another person could say they have been "Actively pursuing" their writing for a decade because they have been learning, training and growing as a writer.

Then again... maybe some of us older and 'well seasoned" folks don't want to admit to all that wasted time LOL

;)

In Him,
(who does a good work in us)
~T~



In that case I wantta change my answer to "the 20 Plus years" option, as I started writing in 7th grade - some 35 years ago. Got tested and put in a "special" program in high school (actually extra year of HS cause I didn't finish hist/gvt reqs), and was supposed to work w/ a mentor w/ my writing, but never did anything w/ it then. <SIGH!>

[hellodolly]

About six years . . . i'm just starting my second novel.

[Val]

I started writing three years ago after the death of my daughter. I was instructed by God to go into the book stores and read books. I did not have a clue as to what to write. I thank God he brought me through. Presently, I am working on my personal testimony.