Friday 5 March 2010

Every journey begins with a single step...

Once upon a time... 

Allow me to introduce myself - my name is Toyah and I have wanted to be a writer ever since I can remember.  Story writing was always my favourite activity in junior school, and when - at the age of 12 - I saw a boy younger than myself being interviewed on Blue Peter about the book he had written (which was being published), I decided that if he could do it, then I could do it too!  I filled notebooks with stories and poems, and even had two poems published in school anthologies.  But when I got to high school, then university and eventually the world of work, I found that I had less and less time and energy to give to my scribblings and they pretty much dried up. 

I'm now approaching thirty, and - frustrated with myself at my lack of progress in the writing world - have just completed Start Writing Fiction with the Open University.  I got really good marks and very encouraging feedback from my tutor and have decided that this is my new starting point.  Today is Day One.  From this point onwards I will put 100% effort into my writing so that by the time I come to approach forty (which seems like an age away!) I will be able to introduce myself as: Toyah Coolican, Professional Writer. 

Please feel free to join me on this journey if you are a writer, a wannabe writer, a reader, or just a person who likes reading random blogs (!).  I hope that by sharing every step, and with your encouragement, I will keep myself on the straight and narrow path to publication.