Writing

Writing has been a huge part of my life. Maybe not in the same way it is a huge part of a normal person's life, though. My dad writes amazing short stories. My grandfather composes silly poems. My mom studied English at UTSA. My baby sister just received her Masters in Creative Writing and has written some amazing books. (My favorite is Addelaide, but it could be because my name is a form of her name.) My older two sisters have a way with words and I love reading everyone's blogs. Not to mention the little fact that my husband is getting his PhD in English. I have had some amazing experiences with writing.

*In Elementary I competed in UIL Ready Writing. I never won, but I loved it. (Click on the link to find out slightly more about this UIL event. As a side note, I had no idea that UT started UIL and that it included sports.)

*In fourth grade I created the Forest Friends, Ronni Rabbit, Terri Turtle and Bonnie Bear. I had 3 stories about them (with ilustrations) and I think they are gone. I showed them to Andy just after we were married and I was so embarrassed, but he didn't laugh or tease me. The books were influenced by Mercer Mayer, Beverly Cleary and Rudyard Kipling. (Talk about diverse.)

*I have had several poems published in books and magazines, but have no copies of them. (I don't think I told people, either.)

*I have written a few songs.

*I was an award winning editor for my school newspaper.

*I wrote one of the most popular editorial pieces for the school paper.

*I lettered in journalism.

*I wanted to be a journalist, but realized I am not good at confrontations or making people uncomfortable.

*My favorite paper that I have written was on Lady Jane Gray. To this day I am fascinated by this mysterious queen. (In fact, I am so sensitive about her that I got angry at a book based on her life because they portrayed her love life inaccurately.)

*For about 3 years of my life I wrote letters to 12 missionaries. An average of 3 letters a week. (Some told me that there was only a 3% chance of marrying a missionary you write to. That gave me a 36% chance to marry Andy. Hee Hee.)

*I have 12 completed journals. I wrote every day from the time I was 11 until my marriage. I still write, but not as consistently.

*I write to understand myself. When I am trying to figure things out I journal or blog. (That is why sometimes you get a series of downer blogs like when we were planning our Vegas move.)

*I finally figured out a title for my story, 24 Shoes or 24 Shoes a Week. I like the first one but thought maybe it needed to be clarified. What do you think?