BRI BETWEEN THE LINES

 

  It all began about 20 years ago with a school subject notebook and a number 2 pencil. I have always loved writing, since I was a kid. I never really saw myself as becoming a writer, but I guess that’s the thing about writing isn’t it? The moment you begin putting thoughts to words then words to pages, you’re already considered one.

   Majority of my stories started off as jumbles of run-on sentences, incorrect grammar, wild ideas, and  journals full. But, they were mine. And they were the first stories I ever created.

   A few years later, in middle school, I was writing in my journal and my English teacher (name not disclosed) thought I was writing notes and took my journal and asked to speak to me after class.

Great, now I’m in trouble.

   The end of class arrived and I took several dreaded steps towards my teacher’s desk, “Here it comes,” I thought to myself. Awaiting the lecture to come, but to my surprise, something completely unexpected happened.

   As I approached the desk, she looked at me long and hard before handing me back my notebook and saying,”This is really good. I’m sorry about earlier, I assumed you were writing notes, but this,” she points to the notebook, “This is really good. Keep at it.”

   It was the first time someone had ever read my writing and complimented it. It was the first time my writing was acknowledged. Up until then, I never really thought much about my writing. I never even presumed that it could be a talent. It was just fun and I enjoyed getting the stories out of my head onto paper. So, a big thank you to my 6th grade English teacher. You were the first person to make me realize I had something special.

   About a year later, I began to write more than ever. Dabbling into poetry. My next English teacher, Ms.Clark, was a close friend of my mom and by that time everyone knew how much I enjoyed writing. She pushed me to enter a writing contest that I did not want to compete in. But, I’m glad she did, because I won – a lot. So, thank you to my 7th grade English teacher, for showing me that it is ok to try things. That my writing was prize worthy. That my writing was worth it.

   I continued writing well after middle school, taking a small detour in high school between life and extracurricular activities. My parents, always supportive, bought me a printer that better developed my love for writing. My room was plastered with pages of poems and short stories. My room turned into an English library of pages.

   Upon graduating, I contemplated writing my first book. I believed no one would support it. No one would read it. And my dad, my ever positive dad, told me something that I still hold close to this day.

“If you enjoy it. Do it. Write because you like it. Make a book because you want to, and those who are for it will follow. Will come.”

   Those words have stuck with me for years now. I wrote my first poetry book at the age of 20. Now, 9 years later I have 4 poetry books, 2 children’s books, 1 self help journal, and I’m officially working on my first novel Blood & Roses.

   I write because I love it dearly. Because I do it everyday. Because it’s an extension of me. Because it’s my heart in page form. Because it’s fun. Because I can get these crazy thoughts out of my head onto paper. Because I get to share it and this journey of my new novel with you.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy the ride.