Origins Blogfest…
When my first novel released last September, I went on a blog tour and often got asked how I started writing.
Most people gave a giggle or gasped when I said I’d never dreamed I’d be walking this writing journey.
As in….never.
I didn’t grow up writing little stories or poems. I wasn’t on the school newspaper or year book.
The only artistic thing I did was a little drawing and pottery, but that’s about it.
So, in 2007 when a story popped into my head after reading Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness, I started writing. Within a few months I had an 87,000-word novel I had no idea what to do with.
My BFF told me, “Take the next step.”
I was like, “I don’t even know what the next step is.”
I started asking around and found an author who was willing to point me in the right direction: A critique group.
The rest is history. I’m so blessed to be on this writing journey, and I’m glad to have you along.
52 Comments
Scarlett
I loved ‘This Present Darkness’. It was the first time I’d ever heard the term, “ankle biting demons”… Use it ALL the time in real life! *g*
It was also the first time I’d read a novel, so dedicated to NOT using foul language (I do like me some foul language). It was refreshing, in the end. Don’t know that I even noticed it early on. Which is odd, I think, given the tense subject matter.
Your Origins are inspiring, Lynn. Stories like yours are so few and far between. It gives me hope that *the lottery*… Is a BIG FAT LIE. (A writer can dream.)
I’m psyched I came across your spot today! Still working my way through the Fest! Great to *meet* you!
Lynn Rush
Hi, Scarlett. Thanks for stopping by. Yes, Frank did a GREAT job with the tension — love that ankle biting demons thing. Awesome! 🙂
Jillian
Sometimes life moves us in unexpected directions! Glad your path and mine have crossed!
Lynn Rush
I’m glad, too, Jillian!!!! I’ve gotten to meet some amazing people on this journey. LOVE IT!
Jackie Jordan
Congratulations with your publication. It pleases me to meet someone who truly loves her work.
Lynn Rush
Thanks, Jackie. I do love it!! 🙂
Arlee Bird
The step from writing something to seeing it published is a giant one.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
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Lynn Rush
HUGE! So true, Arlee!! It’s still surreal when I see my stuff on Amazon or someone emails me to tell me they read my book. CRAZY fun!
Mary
Neat story, Lynn. I like the way it just burst upon you. I love your book covers. Keep going!
Lynn Rush
Thanks, Mary!!!! 🙂
Marta Szemik
Nice to meet you Lynn. Glad you followed your friend’s advice to take that next step.
Lynn Rush
Nice to meet you, too, Marta!!!! Write on my friend!
Shock
Wow. Your story inspires me, even if it didn’t happen in your school days.
Lynn Rush
Thanks, Shock!!!! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Botanist
I love to hear of other writers who just started, out of the blue, with no warning. It makes me feel less strange…well, slightly 🙂
Lynn Rush
We’re writers. We’re strange by nature. There’s no changing that. LOL!! 🙂
Jeremy Bates
fantastic blog page!
Lynn Rush
Thanks, Jeremy!!! Glad you stopped by!
Melissa Sugar
This is an incredible story. It shows that it is never too late to become an author and it also shows that your must be extremely talented. I love your story. You must be very proud . I am impressed. I am a new follower and very happy to be here.
Lynn Rush
Thanks, Melissa. It’s nice to know you. Looking forward to staying in touch. Write on, my friend.
Stina Lindenblatt
That’s great that you had a friend to shove you in the right direction. 😀
Lynn Rush
I’m so blessed by my friends. I couldn’t imagine where I’d be right now had she not pushed me! 🙂
Ciara Knight
And you’ve never stopped writing since. 🙂
Lynn Rush
Nope. And I’ll keep on writing as long as I can. 🙂 Woot!
Ashley Nixon
I think it’s awesome when you end up in a place where you didn’t expect and love it! Many people don’t get that experience.
Lynn Rush
I know, right? Thanks, Ashley. 🙂
Robyn Engel
I’m in awe of, and inspired by, stories like yours. You’re clearly uniquely gifted.
Lynn Rush
Thanks, Robyn. I’m just along for the ride, taking the next step as its presented to me. 🙂 I’m loving it!! 🙂
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Someone else who didn’t plan for this wild ride! And This Present Darkness is a good book.
Thanks for participating in the blogfest.
Lynn Rush
Nice, Alex. Gotta love how things pan out, huh? 🙂 Write on, my friend.
Heather Day Gilbert
Yes, This Present Darkness certainly inspired me, too. My first completed novel (NaNo) was paranormal fiction, and I thought I’d be the next Peretti…unfortunately, it was a meager 50,000 words and I haven’t had time to go back and add 30,000! Glad you’ve found your niche. And nice to meet you via the bloghop!
Lynn Rush
Hi, Heather. Nice to meet you via the blog hop, too!!!! Love it!!! You like This Present Darkness, too, huh? Great story, isn’t it? I’ll never forget how he described those demons clawing at the human *shivers*. Such an inspiration. 🙂
Tonja
Great that you had an easy time of it. You must be very talented.
Lynn Rush
Hi, Tonja. Thanks for swinging by. I call it a God Thing. Because I’m sure on my own I never would have had all those stories flooding my brain like they did! LOL. I’m so blessed to have the time to do a lot of writing since I only work half time. 🙂
Margo Berendsen
Yours is one of the rarer stories, but just as wonderful as those who started writing at an early age.
Lynn Rush
Thank you, Margo!!!!! We all walk a slightly different path, huh? But doing something we all love: Writing 🙂
J.L. Campbell
That’s a unique story all right. Many of us stumble along for years, playing with words until one day we know that telling stories is what we were meant to do. Good to ‘meet’ you.
Lynn Rush
Hi, JL It’s nice to meet you, too!!!! When I get home from work, I hope to hit more blogs and read more Origins stories!!! 🙂 Love blogfests!
Lindsay
Isn’t the writing journey amazing Lynn?
Lynn Rush
It truly is, Lindsay!!!!!! 🙂 I’m glad I’ve met you along the journey, my friend!
DL Hammons
Your story is rather unique after reading so many involving childhood dreams or adolescent aspirations. Good for you though! Thank you for sharing with us today! 🙂
Lynn Rush
HI, DL!!! Thank you! This is a fun blogfest for sure! Love these stories. 🙂 Have a super day!
Hildie McQueen
Hello Lynn, I’m glad you went on the writing journey too!!
Lynn Rush
THANKS!!! I’m super glad to have met you, Hildie!
Matthew MacNish
It’s strange to think some people never considered writing until they were adults, but it’s also kind of cool.
Lynn Rush
Well, I have been called STRANGE before, so it’s a good fit. LOL!! Yeah, You just never know where you’re going to end up, do ya? I think I shocked the heck out of a lot of people when I told them I’d written a book, and then even more so when I told them I’d be published. It’s a crazy journey. But one I LOVE!
Sarah Fine
Me too, Lynn. It goes to show that inspiration and motivation to write can strike at any time–it doesn’t have to be something you have from birth, or even childhood.
Lynn Rush
Write on, SARAH!!! 🙂
Juliana Haygert
Wow, Lynn, and you got published too! I wish my story was that simple lol
Thanks for sharing!
Lynn Rush
Keep at it, Juliana. God’s timing, that’s what I always said. Well, what I always SAY! LOL!!!
Laura Pauling
Glad to be meeting other writers who didn’t realize the writing dream until they were older! Love the covers on your books! Good luck with them!
Lynn Rush
Hi, Laura!! Nice to meet you! 🙂 Thanks. CMP did a GREAT job with the covers didn’t they? I’m very happy!