From Kate’s Writing Crate…
Writing
careers go in all different directions. There is no straight line, only
individual paths.
I always
wanted to be an author, but the first professional writing offer I received was
intern at a magazine. I had never considered writing articles, essays, columns,
and book reviews, yet I learned on the job and have been published regularly
since then. I worked my way up to editor, another job I had never considered,
but found I had a talent and a love for it. I started blogging, too. Now I’m
working on a non-fiction book—I tried writing a novel and failed spectacularly—and
I’m also working on a screenplay.
Recently,
I had lunch with a friend who is the author of 16 books. She was an early
reader who knew she was going to write books. She writes young adult novels now
although her first love was children’s books.
For the latest issue of one
magazine, I interviewed an author of three historical novels. I learned that
she was a history major in college. She started out as a playwright then turned
one of her seven plays into a screenplay. While writing those projects, she had
an idea for a novel and started that, too. Several of her plays were produced.
Her screenplay garnered some attention, but novels won out in the end.
Bestselling author Louise
Penny was a respected journalist who started to write a non-fiction book. Five frustrating
years later, she switched to the mystery genre. Her award-winning Inspector
Gamache series is 13 books and counting.
Until you try writing a certain format, you won’t know if it’s a good vehicle for you. Try writing what appeals to you, then branch out. Find what works for you. Hone in on those vehicles. See where they take you.
