Like many authors, I am often asked why I “became” a writer. The short answer
is that I was born that way. As far back as I can remember, I was able to look at a
situation, remove myself, and think about the “story” that was unfolding before me, no
matter how mundane. I was always making up stories to keep my brother entertained
when I was charged with babysitting him. I didn’t know that not everyone saw the world
as I did until I was in college.
In English class one day the professor told us to write a short paragraph about a
flower. We needed to make the description so vivid that anyone could picture it, see it.
There were about twenty of us in the class. One girl raised her hand and asked, “what
do you mean?” The professor repeated the assignment, but the girl shrugged and shook
her head and said, “I still don’t know how to do that.” Something must have clicked for
my professor as he turned to her and said, “Oh, you can’t make something from
nothing, can you?” There are some people who can’t create something that doesn’t
exist, don’t worry about it.” I feel sure I was not the only person in class who never knew
such a thing existed. It was then I realized that is what writers do constantly—they make
something from nothing.
Here is a rough idea of how I come up with story ideas and characters. I may be
moved by a feeling, a look, a line of dialogue I overhear, or read, or a scene from a
movie, and it lodges in my brain for use later. One day, it rises to the top and demands
attention. No matter how long I ignore it, it is there, often growing, changing, and
connecting with another idea. I always feel as if there is a separate part of my brain
working on what I need to write next that I’m not totally aware of—yet. A friend of mine
calls it the writing elves. These little creative brain elves are busy building the framework
for a new book.
No two writers create in exactly the same way. All creative people can’t write a
book, or have no desire to write. But most everyone will find their creative outlet. I found
out later that the girl who could not envision a flower, couldn’t “build it in her mind” was a
very talented quilt maker.
Why do I write? I can’t not write. It’s how I see and understand the world.
Besides, I like creating something from nothing.
Thanks for stopping by the blog and congratulations on the release of your book, Retirement Can Be Murder!
Vickie Carroll writes paranormal mystery, paranormal romance, cozy mysteries, and contemporary women’s fiction.
When not writing or reading, she is involved with her hobby, searching her ancestry for an interesting character to write about.
