As with most authors, “becoming a writer” didn’t happen overnight for
me. There has been a lot of patience, hard work, and unexpected twists
in my life path, to get here. Now that I am here, I find being a good
writer is a moving target. I’m constantly striving to improve, to
stretch myself, and hone my craft.
I have always loved stories.
As a child, even before I could write words, I drew pictures to make
stapled, construction paper books. Once I learned to read and write,
there was no stopping me. I joyfully read aloud to anyone who would
listen, memorized fables and myths to retell, and began writing my own
creations.
At sixteen I tried my hand at becoming a novelist. I
almost finished that first one, before teenage life distracted me, and I
put it away. It’s just as well, as the writing was not great. Over the
following years I tried twice more. In my mid-twenties I managed to
complete my first fully-realized book, an epic-fantasy adventure.
In
the meantime, I got married, had a child, got divorced, went back to
school as a single mom, got remarried, and became a teacher. Needless to
say, there wasn’t much time in all that for writing. I managed to
complete some short stories, a few of which got published in literary
journals.
I enjoyed teaching art and special education both. It
was a deeply satisfying career, though the writing urge still nipped at
my heels. During breaks in the school year I would dabble, even starting
another two novels, before realizing I just didn’t have the time to
complete them. Teaching, (even more so with special needs students) is
an all-consuming occupation. Especially if you love it, as I did.
Three
years ago, my health gave out. It was partly a result of overworking
and also being exposed to so many cold and flu bugs. I spent my last
teaching year struggling against a series of viruses. This triggered an
auto-immune reaction in my body. I became seriously ill, so much so I
could barely get out of bed, for weeks on end. In time I was diagnosed
with auto-immune thyroiditis and chronic fatigue syndrome.
With
the help of an excellent specialist, (I will be grateful to her
forever), I have learned how to manage my condition. I have regained a
portion of my earlier health, though I still function within challenging
constraints. One of the limitations is that I can no longer teach.
Giving
up my work with children was painful, but I began to recognize a new
path was opening. With my medical condition, I have to work at something
with flexible hours, and preferably from home. It just so happens my
bliss, my life-long passion, WRITING, fit the need perfectly.
Once
I saw writing as a profession, rather than a hobby, things began to
happen. In the fall of 2013, I sold the first book of a fantasy/romance
trilogy, Dragon Clan, to The Wild Rose Press. The novel, Dragon Wife,
released August 2014, and the second, Dragon Warrior should release by
early 2015.
It has been an exciting time, leaping into the world
of publishing, with so much to learn and so much to do. I love being
able to share my stories. I have ideas for many more, and now I will
have the time and means to write them. It is a blessing for which I will
never stop being thankful.
Diana Green
http://www.dianagreenbooks.com
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