Transitioning From A Reader To A Writer

I have been a voracious reader for years, going through stages, like most people, reading the genres that best suited me at the time. In college I devoured thrillers by authors like Stephen King and Dean Koontz. In search of my identity, I went through a highbrow phase and sought out novels like Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces and Eliot's Middlemarch.  As a young professional I went through a faithful non-fiction phase (Sun Tzu's The Art of War? Why??) in order to learn more about the world and to become a well-rounded person.

Shortly thereafter I dedicated my reading time to consuming the classics, and fell in love again with Pride and Prejudice. (Darcy was a brooding hottie way before Christian Gray came along, mkayyyy... And, truth be told, he probably did enjoy a little BDSM in the betroom.)

But as a full-time mother, I found my life to be a little too real, and dove right into fantasy and science fiction, which had actually always been a favorite.  Nearly 10 years later, I can safely say that fantasy--whether it be of the urban or paranormal or romantic fantasy genre (think Karen M. Moning's Fever series. )--is my true love.

As I neared the age of 35, I decided that the time to write the novels that floated around in my head was now or never.  That 'someday' that I always pledged to write wasn't going to just happen; I had to MAKE it happen. And so, I sat behind a laptop and put fingertips to keyboard.  But what to write? Straight romance novels just aren't my thing. And while I ADORE Martin's Game of Thrones books, I really wanted to write something sexier.  Gabaldon's Outlander was phenomenal, but you can't recreate that genius.  Ultimately, I decided that if I was really going to do this author thing, I had to be true to myself.  So, the first of the novels in my head that I'm actually "putting to paper" will be what I would love to read myself: a fantasy novel with a heavy romance angle.  I'm about 33,000 words in and loving every minute of it.  Wish me luck!