Meet Alyice Edrich, writer and all around interesting person. I think that many of you will be able to relate to her story.
“Patricia’s series on “What inspires you to write” is a fascinating one because one common thread we writers have is the “need to express oneself”. For some, writing starts out as a hobby—a way to share a passion. For others, writing starts from a desire to see one’s name in print. And for others still, writing starts from a desire to earn a living.
For me, writing has always been a huge part of my life. When I couldn’t say what was on my mind—for fear of rejection, for fear of a heated debate, for fear of being hurt or misunderstood—I wrote. I didn’t just write a paragraph, or a one-page letter, and I definitely didn’t write using poetry. No, I wrote what my mom affectionately called, mini-books. Later, my husband would say, “Look out! Alyice has something on her mind. Be ready to spend the day reading a book!”
Sitting down with pen in hand (and later keyboard to screen), I could open my up my heart and be truly and completely real. I envisioned someone on the other side reading, listening, yearning to know more—wanting to understand and embrace me. And it gave me great comfort. Now, not everything I wrote was taken the way I had hoped and sometimes, it left a little scar for both the reader and me. But it was and always will be a great source of comfort.
Today, I write professionally. It’s a tough road—a writer’s life. The jobs come and go like waves on the ocean floor. You just never know when the next one is going to come or how long it will stay around. You must constantly put yourself out there—which means you are constantly being rejected. And since writing is such a personal service, that rejection can sometimes feel personal—even when I know it is all business.
But despite the hardships, I continue to write. I write because it’s second nature. I write because it’s like breathing air for my soul. I write because I truly enjoy knowing that something I’ve written can touch the life of another living soul and make a difference. That difference, of course, varies depending on the subject matter. But it’s a difference none-the-less.
Alyice Edrich is the founding editor of The Dabbling Mum®, an online magazine for BUSY parents.
http://thedabblingmum.com
She’s also a highly praised e-book author, aspiring artist, and a freelance writer for hire. Visit her resume site, http://alyiceedrich.com or her blog, http://alyiceedrich.com to learn more about her.”
It looks like my self-publishing course will start in September. Sign up now and get a discount. Learn more about how I operate my online courses at http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm Contact me with questions: PLFry620@yahoo.com