For years I have been a reader of fanfiction, stories about existing
characters or settings written by fans, who continue the storyline or
add episodes to shows that they like. My favorite anime is Cowboy Bebop,
and I have read some fabulous stories from very talented writers on
fanfiction.net.
One quiet Sunday morning in October 2006, just as the sun was rising,
I turned on some classic Elton John and settled myself with a fresh cup
of coffee and a book that I’d been wanting to read. As I listened to
the music, the strange lilting sounds of Come Down in Time began, with its melancholy and longing strings, and I started hearing the words to a story in my mind.
As I listened to those lyrics, that was when I decided to make my own
small contribution to the Cowboy Bebop fandom. I posted the story on fanfiction.net.
To my surprise and delight, I received several favorable reviews from
authors whose works I had been following, and I was awed by their
praise.
And I discovered how much I love writing.
I first learned about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in
2006. To write a novel of 50,000 in just 30 days seemed like a daunting
task, but I wanted to challenge myself. It was the most fun I’d had in
years, and by November 30th, I had the beginning of a novel (or
novelette, I don’t really know what to call it).
Well, I’m continuing my writing. I’m learning to improve my
structure, and even if I never get published, it has been a wonderful
journey.
