My writing origins started probably ten years ago when I discovered Ancient Sites, an ancient history role play website. People would make up a character from ancient history, real or fictional, and then write short fiction and interact with other writers.
I loved it.
I especially loved it when I auditioned and landed the role of Hatshepsut. (Woohoo!) Unfortunately, Ancient Sites didn’t last long, but many of the writers created a new site that’s still around, PanHistoria. I wrote all sorts of characters, but couldn’t get the rest of Hatshepsut’s story out of my mind. (Writing with other writers means you’re beholden to their schedule). Then, a few years ago, the site was temporarily down due to a storm.
That’s when I decided to start writing Hatshepsut’s story on my own. It took me two years, but I finally finished. (Strangely enough, I just picked it up a week ago to complete one last edit).
I’ve since discovered that I have a passion not just for ancient Egypt, but for telling the stories of strong women neglected, or forgotten, by history. Hence my book about Theodora, one of the most awesome women ever. And my newest WIP, about not one, but FOUR totally kick-butt women.
I want to be them. Instead, I write about them.
And in other, totally unrelated news, the winner of last week’s grand prize package is…
DAWN SIMON!
And the winner of the Querytracker Premium Membership is…
JADE!
Congrats, ladies!
Tsk tsk, you should never say you're "just" a high school history teacher.
I stopped by on the blogfest tour, and it's nice to meet you. Good post, and congrats on getting an agent!! (See? No "just" about it!) Please count me in as your newest follower.
Yours is a very different origin story than I usually read – how refreshing! Good luck revising Hatshepsut.
That website sounds really neat. Glad you came across it and decided to continue the story.
That's a really neat story!
That's kind of similar to all the guys in this blogfest who've said they got into writing because of the D & D games they played. I guess once you get into the fantasy world it's really tempting and satisfying to keep it going. So cool that it generated an entire novel. Or two. Or three…
That's an awesome story, Stephanie! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Wow, this is my story! Except for the RPGs. But yeah, I wanna BE some of the strong women in history that fascinate me but I can't, so I write!
There was a moment of confusion when I forgot I'd entered a competition!
It's interesting hearing about how you got into writing. And I think writing about strong women suits you!
Hi Jade. I'm just dropping in as one the the co-hosts, and am now your newest follower. Nice to meet you!
Such a unique ORIGIN story. Obviously the path you followed was the right one, because the proof is in the pudding! Good for you! Your motivation to write about strong women is shared by readers who want to read about them! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Hey Stephanie, it's been way too long, but I'm finally back in the blog-world again.
I'll be stopping by regularly again and posting as well, so don't forget to come say hi!
Love how original your origins story is. Great to meet you through this blogfest!
your newest follower,
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
So that's how you got started!
Hey, thinking about Egypt reminded of this blog post I did back in 2009 about dried flower collars that were found in storage crypts in the Valley of the Kings – similar to the one found on Tutankhamun. Thought you might be interested to see the photos:
http://www.reneeyancy.blogspot.com/search/label/Tutankhamun
Congrats to Dawn & Jade!
Love your story – so many instances of games and movies that have pulled us into the wonderful world of writing! 🙂
Yay! Another "recent" writer. And well done on landing an agent…you make it sound so easy!
I love how you got started on your writing path. Great story!
And THANK YOU!! I'm so excited! Woo-hoo! Thank you, Stephanie!! Also, congrats to Jade!
How exciting! Are you going to publish that book or did I miss that? I'm mostly blind so that happens sometimes. Hope you have a wonderful day.
What an interesting way to start. I enjoyed your origins story. 🙂
Congrats to the winners.
This is very near to my story! Thanks for sharing your origins story!
Great origin and look how well it's worked out for you:)