Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Writer Wednesday: Julie Anne Lindsey



I’m a believer

As a little girl, the only thing I wanted to be was a mom. By college, or at least freshman year, I wanted to be a counselor. By graduation, I knew I wanted to work specifically with young girls and women as a motivational speaker. I still carry that dream, but as it turned out, my first wish was granted in a hurry and I’m now a mother of three.

I left the workforce in 2003 to raise and teach my children, and like many mothers, my dreams were benched – temporarily. The truth is, my time was so spoken for that until a couple years ago I hadn’t read a book for fun in more than five years. Sure, I read, but I read ‘how to’ guides and parenting books, and plenty of homeschool materials, nothing that inspired or enchanted me.

Then, it happened. Late one night, I saw a movie about a forbidden love, about a girl and a vampire. Yes. I just heard the collective readership groan and plenty clicked away, but it’s true. I saw Twilight on the movie channel, while bleary eyed and nursing baby number three. The next day, I bought the book and devoured it. That was the day something inside me clicked.

I caught the writing bug. A long lost love of mine, buried under diapers and cheerios and sleepless nights was resurrected. I began to make notes of the stories I’d rolled around in my head for years. (As an only child, I’ve been telling myself stories for three decades, so I have plenty to work with). For the past two years, I’ve been reading and writing and blogging and tweeting. I’ve met fabulous writers, agents, editors and some of my closest friends. It’s true. I’ve unleashed a ‘me’ that was pent up too long.

Though writing has added another task to my already chaotic schedule, it has freed me of things I found simply weren’t that important. It’s given me a place where I am a writer not a mother. I am me. I believe that seeing my passion for writing is giving my children a real and tangible example of the importance in following your dream, against whatever odds. I also believe if we have a desire in our hearts, we must embrace it, chase it, live it. Life is too short to wonder. One day, when one of my manuscripts makes it onto shelves, my children will see that all things are possible for those who believe, and I am a believer.

Bio:
Julie Anne Lindsey was born and raised in rural Ohio, where she lives today with her husband and three small children. She received a BA in psychology from Kent State University, and credits her obsessive interest in people for bringing her into writing. She is a hopeless caffeine addict, and her work is now in the hands of a super-fabulous agent. Julie blogs her journey at:
http://blog.juliealindsey.com .

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Thanks for this inspirational story Julie. I hope that you'll come back and share your first book with us once it hits the shelves. Also, thank you to all who took the time to stop by for another great Writer Wednesday.

Happy Writing and Reading,

Kristin : )

11 comments:

  1. Your post is so akin to what I tell young adults whenever I have the chance. If you have a dream, find a way to make it work. I'd been dreaming of writing since the 4th grade. Unfortunately I allowed life to get in the way of obtaining my dream. Now, at 62, I've just signed my first contract with The Wild Rose Press for my contmeporary romance. I hope there are more to come. Kudos to both of you for pursuing yours sooner than I. Best of luck to you both.

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  2. You sure are a believer, Julie. And you should be, because you're great at it (both writing and believing)!

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  3. Vonnie! I am so excited for you and your debut!! Wild Rose is a great press and I am absolutely thrilled! You're in good hands all around, and it is never ever too late to follow your dream!

    Gabi! Thank you! A million times over! You are absolutely fabulous and I am blessed to be a part of your crit group!! THANK YOU!

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  4. You're setting a great example for your kids, Julie. Keep believing, keep writing!

    Kristin--great blog you got here. Glad Julie shared it :)

    Rhiannon

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  5. Rhiannon! So excited to see my friends stop by! Thank you!!

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  6. *waving* Julie your superwoman...I truly believe that :)

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  7. Thanks Nikki! I'm having my pink satin cape embroidered soon, LOL. Thanks for stopping!

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  8. Gosh that almost brings tears to my eyes, well said and thanks for empowering your fellow writer-moms.

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  9. This is a great post helpful for kids and us struggling moms too. Not giving up to me means it is 3 am in France and am still writing because that is the only time when everything is quiet enough to write. Lets 4get i have to wake up at 8 in the morning to feed a toddler.

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  10. Great inspiration for us all. I so appreciate Kristin running this series. As a grandmother, I can say that throughout my life I've found that being creative in any area has always brought more creativity into my life and energized me. Not only are you setting an example for your children, writing most likely helps you to give more to your children in other ways, too. I'll be looking for your first book on the shelf.

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  11. Hey honey...I'm glad to read this! I believe you are far from alone on this front. I was inspired exactly the same way. It wasn't because Twilight was such a phenomenally literary piece of work....it was because it made us fall in love with reading again. It caused us to suddenly remember what made us love reading and writing in the first place...it lit a spark. We were writers long before Twilight was ever even thought about, but life...as it often does...pushed pause. Our babies and families were our focus and our roles as individuals got pushed to the side. And that's normal. Being a mother involves sacrifice, but..the passion to be YOU never goes away. I've often said you amaze me with all that you do and I have no doubt you will be a published author one day. You want it far too much...and..your a talented writer. Keep it up honey and best of luck! :)

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