Why Do You Write?

I was asked, why do you write?  It was a question that absolutely perplexed me.  I wanted to say that I have always written.  However, that was not quite true.  I went through a period of time when I refused to write.  Oh I did some role playing games and some fictional play in forums, but I did not commit words to paper.  I also read a lot.

My life went far wide of my original intent to be a published writer one day.  I became a mother.  I studied English later in life in college.  I also took a minor in psychology so I could understand people.  I watched and waited.  I did some teaching and I became a counselor, which is still a form of teaching.   I still did not write.

One day, with a push from a good friend, Alex Hunt, I began to write.  I had stopped writing for so long that it felt foreign at first.  I write like Pollock painted, unconsciously.  I have went back to read what I wrote for a period, and have been surprised at the turn of events.  How is that possible I have been asked?

Author Update - January 2016

I haven't written to you all recently so thought I would take a moment from frantic editing to do so.  2015 has been a very hard year.  I had planned to have book 4 - Pseudo-Dragon - out by summer.  My fight against cancer overrode that goal.

In the past year, I have finished first round of chemo, had a kidney removed and a full hysterectomy due to return of tumors.  In the midst of surgeries survived a wildfire that took most of our property. (not the house)  I have restarted chemo due to the metastasized cancer.  I have been in the hospital for a week due to side effect of said chemo.  Needless to say it has been a rough year.

Now for the good news, my last PET scan shows that the chemo has dissolved the tumors that were still left within me.  My doctor is reluctant to use the word remission due to the veracity of return that happened earlier this year.  Despite his reluctance, he did admit it looks like the chemo is working.

I did have some successes last year.  I put out one novel early in the year.  Pseudo-Dragon is the longest of the four and beta readers say it is by far the best of them as well.  I guess I will find out soon.  Pseudo-Dragon is up for pre-sale now and releases on February 1, 2016.  Needless to say, I am busy with last minute edits and polish.

My goals for 2016 are:  Write the final book in the series, put out the live write collection of fantasy short stories, and to get into shows and shops for book signings.  I am excited to be able to finally enjoy writing full time without the constant threat of stage 4 cancer.  I hope you will all continue to reach out and say hi!.  The support from all of you has been amazing and I can't wait to meet and speak with many of you.

Have a great 2016!
May Dragons ever inspire your thoughts, creativity, and balance.
Cheri