Writing is nothing new to me. I always remember myself as a writer even as a young girl. I recall taking great pleasure in writing creative essays in elementary school while all my fellow students groaned and moaned. I wrote my first poem when I was in 3rd grade and lived in Angola. As a teenager I wrote several novellas (I didn’t know back then that’s what they were called). They were not very original romances, but I spent a lot of time writing them. For one of them I had the good fortune to have my best friend, Susana, as my “consultant”. As a young adult I wrote a fanfiction (again, no idea it was called that when I wrote it) piece about my favorite rock group, The Styx (they wouldn’t be happy about it, trust me) and a short fantasy story (and my very first in English) inspired by Kate Bush’s song Delius (I wish I still had that one. I loved that piece).
I stopped for a while to make room for marriage and motherhood. But with my first baby, inspiration returned and I wrote my first novel-length story; a historical fantasy set in Scotland. It turned out to be a prophetic piece since I actually moved to Scotland shortly after finishing the novel. This was also the first time I ever tried to get published. It was a great idea, but I’m afraid it was poorly executed. One day I may revisit it. While in Scotland (where you cannot NOT be inspired) I wrote another fantasy and a romantic suspense novel. By then I didn’t think I would ever be published and I wrote just for fun.
For some years I didn’t have a chance to write much. I was busy bringing up two boys and rediscovering great new things like art and education. I started several novels but didn’t finish them. My muse had left me, it seemed.
A little over a year ago, the Sippy Cups and Semantics (is that a great name or what?) came into my life. This small group of local writers invited me into their fold and the rest is history. I didn’t know any of them personally at the time. We had met in a book club and we knew that we all shared a passion for reading and writing. It was like they had lit a fire in me. I couldn’t stop writing. My muse was back.
Through them I heard about the National Novel Writing Month. I had written a flash fiction piece I really liked and I wondered whether I could expand it into a full novel. This short piece is soon (January) going to be published as a full length romantic novel. My dream is coming true.
I really owe it to the Sippy Cups. They are one of the best things that ever happened to me and I am so proud to be part of this amazing small group of women writers. Mark my words, one day we will all be (semi) famous authors; Sydney Everson, Genevieve Powell, Johnie Dreaire, Janna, and Jessica. At that time I suggest renting that beautiful farm house in Elkton again and have another writer’s retreat. With all this talent gathered under one roof who knows what amazing things will be written.
Author Natalina Reis 