I was sitting in a local cafe one day about two years ago feeling restless. I could think of nothing but writing. I wanted to write a book about my life. My story needed to be told. It was burning inside of me, threatening to burst through my very being.
For days, months, no…years, I wanted to write. As a young girl I fantasized about being older, with much of my life behind me, sitting in a large room that overlooked the ocean where as I gazed at the waves, ideas flowed easily and my pen wrote words that created stories.
The day came when I knew the time had come for my imaginings to become real. The room was ready, the desk was in place and the windows looked out over the ocean waves. Now a computer sat on the desk in place of pen and paper, waiting only for me to begin writing.
Something was holding me back! Why couldn’t I just start writing, I wondered. I knew that wanting to write was not enough. I had to sit down and do it but could I really write a book? Looking back I know that I was my own worst enemy. Teachers, family, and friends had told me for years that I should be a writer but my own mind told me different. Then something changed.
That day in the cafe, as I drank my coffee and listened to conversations around me, trying to distract myself from my restlessness, I overheard a woman telling the cafe owner about the story line for her upcoming book. I had seen her before and had heard she was a local author of ghost stories for young adults. She seemed excited and appeared to be self-confident. Her excitement rose as she described the story. I sat listening intently and knew I needed to speak with her.
“Oh, so you’re a writer?” I queried.
“Yes I am.” She said smiling brightly. “I write ghost stories for young adults. Do you write?”
” I want to write a book,” I replied sheepishly.
And right then and there my writing began in earnest. That friendly exchange of two strangers evolved quickly into a lasting friendship. Becky Meyer Pourchot, author a The Hungry Ghost Series, also became my writing mentor. We met often over the ensuing weeks and her encouragement and direction fueled my desire to become a published author. These days, we are planning book signings together and our paths intersect often on our journey as writers.
I will be forever grateful to my friend Becky. Because of her encouragement and belief in me, I am now helping others who have come to me in the same way and who have said, “I want to write. I have a story inside me that is screaming to come out.”
Thank you Becky Meyer Pourchot.
http://www.hungryghostbooks.com/
Libbie the Lobster 