Why I Started Writing

I have always had a love for books. I can remember my mother reading to me as a child and I believe that is truly where it started. As the years went by reading became less of a hobby my mother introduced me to into a hobby I adored and took upon to be my own. Writing stories has also always been around in my life. One of my childhood friends and I would send each other quick short stories through the mail when we were younger. I always wanted to write a story or a book but I never actually did it. I had the ideas but not the drive. That was until about 2 and a half years ago. I had just finished one of my favorite book series for the very first time, The Selection Series and I found myself wanting to write a similar story. One where the lowly, common girl captures the heart of the prince. So I started formulating. I come up with the main plot, created characters, filled out their charts, outlined, and ultimately started writing.

I enjoyed it a lot. I loved the idea of creating this entire world of characters and telling their stories. I worked on this for a little over six months . . . and then . . . I found myself switching gears from the royalty story to something completely different. And that is what I have been working on for the last 2 years.

Now, I know that was a weird way to start this blog post. I'm supposed to be talking about why I started writing, not when or how I came up with my book ideas. I am very wordy, and I love to take roundabout, complicated routes. However, the two paragraphs above have a purpose.

So, why did I start writing? Frankly, just because I was inspired by a great book series and wanted to write something similar. The real question we have to ask is why did I continue writing? Because like I said earlier, I have been inspired to write before but it never stuck. I never could find the drive or determination to actually take an idea and turn it into a story on paper.

What was different this time? Honestly, it had next to nothing to do with being inspired and all to do with it being something to look forward to. Now, that probably doesn't make any sense, so let me explain.

The reason I have continued to write is because of that second story idea I had at the beginning of 2020. If it hadn't been for that story I don't think I would have continued. If I had been left with the royalty story, I honestly believe I would have grown discouraged and given up writing. Now, if I would have picked it up months, or years later, I don't know. My second story idea is what I have spent the last two years of my life working on and I wouldn't change it for anything.

So, why is this story the reason why I continued writing? Why I am where I'm at today? Now, that is a simple answer. It was because it was personal. I had gone through a rough time the last two - four months of 2019 and this book was something for me to look forward to. I basically had my heart broken and this story idea was based on the thought, "What could the future look like for me?". It was my way to look at the future and say "Okay, I'm hurting right now, but there's a guy out there for me somewhere, that is something to look forward to."

From there it morphed into something so much more. It became not only something for me to look forward to but something I could pour myself into, something I could pour a message into, and a way I could reach people. That is ultimately why I have continued, why I think I started in the first place. So I could share something with the world.

At this point, I have thought a lot about what I hope to achieve with my writing. Why do I continue writing? Why do I continue to put up with the mind-boggling problems I have to solve, the storylines I have to piece together, and the stressful moments? And it comes down to two things. 1). I enjoy it. I really enjoy it. Even if I sometimes wonder why I do it. Why do I put myself through so much work? It's because I love it. And 2). I want to provide the world with something meaningful. As I said before, I love books. I can't begin to tell you what books have done for me in my life. I can't tell you what certain authors mean to me. I know what books have done in my life and now I want to make those books that mean something to someone out there in the world. I want to provide the world with books I wish I had. I want to give someone, even if it's just one person, the book that means something to them, that changes their life. That makes them feel. Makes them view the world through a different lens. Help them through a hard time. Becomes that book they proudly display on their bookshelf. The book becomes their favorite.

So, that is why I not only started writing but have also continued writing. Hopefully, this will bring light into my beginnings as a writer. Why I am so passionate about my writing and helping others along with their journeys.

I've got so many books I look forward to writing and bringing to fruition. I can't wait to share this journey with all of you.

I hope you will get some use out of these blog posts! And please feel free to comment or contact me if you have anything you'd like to say or questions to ask.

With Love, Kathryn Hawke