Reading and writing fuel each other

Writing a book, from my personal experience, is no easy feat. It took three years for me to successfully publish a book, an achievement that makes me proud.

I started writing my novel, Out of This World, when I was 9. My interest in writing, which started with books, began earlier. Reading relaxed me. I sucked up story after story, like a vacuum. Eventually I realized I had to let the words back out ... in a slightly different form. It’s a little like breathing: You can’t inhale your whole life and never let anything out, nor can you exhale your whole life without fuel to keep your ideas and thoughts moving.

Often, after finishing a book I was reading, I’d run to the computer and start typing. That provided stress release, and I laugh when I remember those times: I’d have a bunch of documents open, full of different storylines.

The idea for Out of This World grew from some of the story concepts I had created. I talked about my ideas with my friends at recess and our discussions gave me further inspiration. After organizing my ideas, I decided to combine them into one story.

At first, with no real structure, the plot did not make much sense. There was a ton of work to do before the first draft took shape!

I didn’t let that deter me. I wanted to share my stories with the world, so I persisted, and after countless hours of writing on my own and then writing under the guidance of my mentor Mark Price, and after thousands of edits and re-edits, it was finally ready.

The book is about three sisters traveling to an alternate world full of magic, adventures, and challenges. Olivia is a bookworm and loves music. Zoe is outgoing and loves to swim. Margaret is shy and loves art.

Before the book went to press, I decided to donate the proceeds to MD Anderson Cancer Center. This was important for me because I would now be able to help others through my stories. I chose MD Anderson because I am also interested in medicine, and cancer affects many people.

After publishing this novel, available online on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, I have the confidence to further pursue my writing dreams, and I’m ready for my next literary challenge.

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