Monday, February 13, 2012

Origins Blogfest

WORD FOR THIS POST:

Origin (n): 1. something from which anything arises or is derived; source; fountainhead: to follow a stream to its origin.

Today I'm participating int the Origins Blogfest. The brain child of DL Hammons at Cruising Altitude, Co-sponsors: Alex J. Cavanaugh, Katie Mills aka Creepy Query Girl and Matthew MacNish at The QQQE.



Click on any of the above for the Linky List and check out the origin or other writer's dreams (I don't know why I couldn't find the code).

As for me, I've told this story before and I still get the goose bumps thinking about it. Especially since this weekend was a very special weekend. Why? Breaking Dawn Part 1 came out on DVD and my family watched it twice. 
It may seem like mad to some, but the Twilight Saga is very special to me. Why?


In March 2009 I just moved to a new city due to hubby's work. It was our first week at the new house and he rented Twilight the movie. I said "What's that?" (Yes, I lived under a rock.) He said "You like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I read there are vampires in this one so I thought you'd like it."

Then, he poured me a glass of wine and went to put the kids to bed. I watched the movie by myself, loved it, saw that it was based on a book and ran to the computer to find out more. That's when I found Stephenie Meyer's website. I read her biography and how she got to write her novels. I could see myself right there in her shoes *sighs with daydreaming eyes*. I decided I would write a novel too.

The funny part is, just like Ms. Meyer, I had a dream. The first paragraph of Chapter 1 of Two Halves was that dream. I didn't see the characters, but I saw myself as a half breed vampire, who couldn't scar, yet she foresaw it happening. (Yes, Twilight had a huge impact on the dream) I went with that idea for the book.

Twilight changed who I am. I still get the same tingling excitement each time I watch the movies and I want to write. I need to write.

Three years later, Two Halves is published, will be followed by a Novella this spring and a sequel. 

On January 21st, for the first time I called myself an author when asked what I do for a living by a new hairdresser.  It was one of my proudest moments.

What is the origin of your writing?

Have you joined the A-Z Challenge?

31 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

So awesome that you got inspired to write by a book you loved. I think that's true for many of us. For me, it was Harry Potter. Thanks for sharing.

Sarah said...

As much criticism as Twilight gets, I think it inspired A LOT of people to pursue their dreams of writing--and I believe that's a wonderful thing! Wonderful to hear that you're still pursuing that dream!

Unknown said...

Twilight, while not the best written book out there, has inspired a lot of people to pursue their dreams. I love that you know the exact date you called yourself an Author. Can't wait till I can say the same and have a published book as proof!

Tara Tyler said...

a late blooming natural! way to go!

PT Dilloway said...

Ugh, another victim of Twilight.

Matthew MacNish said...

That is so cool! It's fun to get to know all our writer friends' stories better.

Annalisa Crawford said...

It's a great moment when you can confidently call yourself an author. I haven't reached it yet. I tend to wedge 'Oh and I write' into an explanation of why I only work part time (I don't want to appear lazy - lol)

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Any book that can inspire someone to write (or to simply keep reading) is a darned good book. I'm glad you found your inspiration. Nice to meet you.

MISH said...

Wow, what an inspirational story! From near-obscurity to published author in 3 years? That's amazing!
Congratulations!

DL Hammons said...

Say what you want about the Twilight series and Stephanie Myers, they inspired a LOT of writers! Way to seize your dream and make the most out of it! Thank you for sharing your ORIGIN today! :)

Scarlett said...

You are the success story, I'd say, of someone who fell for Twilight, then went out and did it themselves!

So cool!

Heather Day Gilbert said...

Love this--I loved the way Meyer writes, too, and the fact that she was a mom when she wrote it. Inspired me to finish my first novel, too. Nice to meet you via the bloghop.

J.L. Campbell said...

It's pretty cool that you were inspired to write, actually followed through and the dream and made it reality in such a short time.

Good to 'meet' you.

Margo Berendsen said...

That is a neat story!!! I got the chills reading Meyer's dream inspiration for Twilight too. All my books have been inspired by dreams, too, though I wish I had tackled them as fervantly (and successfully) as she had! But it sounds like you have followed your dream seriously. Congrats on the publication.

New follower, my post is at How my writing dream began.

nutschell said...

Hi Marta! I'm dropping by from the Origins blogfest. I loved reading your writing story and you're the second one who got started writing thanks to Twilight. I love that moment when you finally called yourself an author. :)

Your newest follower,

Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

If it inspired you to write a book, then that is awesome! I bet your books are even better though.
Thanks for participating in the blogfest.

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

That's great! I love success stories. :)Thanks for sharing yours!

Unknown said...

Despite my ideas about the Twilight Series, I think it's awesome you were inspired by a book. The best thing is that you can connect to another author in the same way she discovered her ability to write.

Ciara said...

I'm an Origins blog fest drop out. *bows head* I had already set up a post with a tour, so I couldn't participate. It has been fun to see everyone else's posts though. That's great that you dreamed about your first chapter.

M Pax said...

Cool that inspiration had such an impact on your life. Such a flash!

Sylvia said...

I so love that a lot of writers say they found their love of writing thanks to reading. They are so interlinked :)

LynnRush said...

Fantastic story. Twilight was influential to a lot of people. Write on, my friend!

Trisha said...

I read another 'origin' story that mentioned TWILIGHT too. I hadn't really heard of them till a colleague was reading them. I bought all 4 books and read them in 4 days. hehe

Unknown said...

That is such a cool tale! Props to hubby and for Twilight for inspiring you. That inspiration has given us another author to love. And kudos to you for calling yourself an author. That absolutely rocks to the nth degree. After reading your story, I had to follow. Look forward to coming back in future. :)

Melissa Sugar said...

Conratulations. I love reading success stories.

Melissa Sugar said...

PS. I just purchased the kindle edition of Two Halves and am looking forward to reading it.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Roger Zelazny wrote the kind of books that let me know that lyrical writing could still sell adventure novels. Good writers send ripples of creation through so many of their readers. Thanks for visiting my blog,, Roland

Marta Szemik said...

I am so overwhelmed by the response to the post and to this blog hop. A Big Thank You to every for reading my origin story:) I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Mina Burrows said...

A very honest origin story. Thanks for sharing. New follower too!

Cherie Reich said...

Aww! What a great origins story. I love the cover art for your book too. Very pretty. :)

Jackie Jordan said...

Congratulations on your publication. I've learned, recently, of so many people being inspired by Twilight. It's embarrassing to say, but I've yet to see it. But, I will soon.