What started this nonsense, anyway?

So...hi!

If you've stumbled upon this blog and are taking the time to read my ramblings, I thank you!  Here's a little background on how my story came to be.

I've been writing as a hobby for a little over a year now and no one knows (except for four exceptional people).  I'm sure I'm going to get a lot of questions when my authoric attempt is revealed.  (Yes, authoric is a made-up word.  I think it sounds like a superhero trait, and who couldn't use a few of those?)

Here are a few of the questions I expect:

Who says you're a writer?
Who says your story is any good?
Who's going to want to read it?
Who did you write it for?

Answer:  my friends.

Guardian exists because of them.

A short year ago, I got the brilliant idea to write a story.  A friend of mine was writing her own and I thought, "Hey, I can do this too!  Let's do it together!"

And so the monster was born.

I've always loved books.  I've always love to read.  I was the girl in the cafeteria with her face stuck in V.C. Andrews instead of gossiping with her friends (that happened on the phone after school).  I was the one caught in my middle school social studies class - repeatedly - for reading something other than the textbook (sorry Mr. Harden!).  I'm the girl who put in her senior memory book, under "What I Want to Accomplish," that she wanted to write a novel.

Took me long enough, didn't it?  My 20th high school reunion is next year!  In my defense, life kind of got in the way.  You know, that whole work, marriage, and kids thing.  

Once I started writing about James, Emma, and Dane, the characters took on a life of their own.  I wrote purely for my beta readers; my only intent was to entertain my friends during a few slow months at work.  Then they started asking for more, and I couldn't wait to give it to them.  Here's a sample of text and Facebook messages I received:

"Where's the next chapter?"
"You said I'd have it by 5!"
"You're late!"
"When are you starting the next book?"
"It's over?  What am I going to read now?"

With their encouragement, one story morphed into three.  It probably would have anyway; once created, my characters wouldn't shut up!  It's like they were real people!  I know that sounds nuts, but I swear every spare minute was dedicated to thinking about them.  I've read where other authors have said the same thing, and I was like, "Ever consider meds?"  Now I've joined the ranks.

And I love it.

So, I'm going out on a limb and putting myself out there.  Once Guardian makes it through one more round of edits, I'm putting this bad boy on Amazon (hopefully mid-July).  My hope is that others will enjoy it as much as I (we, including betas) have.  If only ten people read it and like it, I will consider this venture a success.  Will I make a ton of money?  No.  Will everyone like it?  Probably not.  Will I become famous?  Unlikely.

Will I keep writing?

Abso-friggin'-lutely.

'Till next time!