On Becoming a Novelist: Genetics, Trauma, or Simply-an-Over-Active Imagination? By Connie Vines

When did you decide to become a writer?

It's a question I am asked at every book signing and speaking engagement.

Becoming a writer was never a conscious choice. While an artist sketches, a composer hears music; a writer hears stories. Or as my children said, "Mom has imaginary friends."

Friends that torment you with bits of dialogue, or a song that triggers an emotional response, a dream, or simply an internal need to sit down and write. 

Is creativity genetic, a gift, or an acquired skill?

The answer? 

I believe it is an inborn gift and a skill that is honed. Genetic? In my case, probably.

My favorite childhood books:

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (1952) — A touching, timeless story of friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a clever spider named Charlotte.  

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (1950) — The magical portal-fantasy that invites children into the snowy, wondrous land of Narnia. 

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937) — The quintessential high-fantasy quest that introduced generations of readers to Middle-earth. 

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. Newbery Medal-winning classic is a gripping tale of survival, strength, and courage. (Based on the true story of a Nicoleño Indian girl living alone on an island off the coast of California, Island of the Blue Dolphins.)  

Nancy Drew (girl detective) mysteries by Caroline Keene (my mother was a reader, too).  I read the entire collection, twice.

And, of course, stories featuring horses 🐎 and dogs that "did not" die 🐶.

The Makings of a Novelist:

Psychological studies specifically comparing creative writers to non-creative peers show that creative writers report significantly higher rates of unstable home environments, childhood unhappiness, and emotional neglect. Prominent historical examples include:

Charles Dickens and Virginia Wolfe.

Meaning:

Hyper-Vigilance and Observation: Traumatized children must become expert observers of human behavior to anticipate danger or emotional shifts in adults. This hyper-vigilance translates into a sharp, adult ability to analyze character motivations and human psychology.

With age, I've come to the conclusion: one person's trauma is another person's adventure.

I did not like my "personal adventure"; therefore, I became hyper-vigilant.

My personal adventure, you ask?👶🍼

It all began before I'd even taken my first childhood breath...

My soon-to-be mother was on a flight from Chicago to Florida. During a short layover in New Orleans, her labor began. By the time the plane touched down in Florida, she was in full labor.

We were a Naval family. 🚢

I was born on an Air Force Base, 2 1/2 months early.  This was before the NICU. I weighed 2 lbs 12 oz before dropping to 2 lbs 3 oz.

I was strapped in an incubator. My eyes were covered, and oxygen was pumped into the incubator. A feeding tube was inserted through my throat for feeding... and I had an IV.

When I was released (months later), I was dressed in "doll" clothes. 

My mother was an only child; she had no experience with babies.  She relied on Dr. Spock's book for new mothers.

Fortunately, my father was a Texan and familiar with livestock. He knew how to mix formula and tend to newborns. (His mother was the eldest of ten children.)

Several months after my birth, my father received deployment orders.  My mother and I were placed in the care of my paternal grandparents and my great-grandmother in Texas. 

My parents wedding photo

Here I am, little Connie, an early walker.
(I never learned to crawl)

All of my books include bits and pieces of my adventures and not-always-welcome surprises.

Case in point: I wanted a puppy but got a little brother instead. (Spoiler: we are still best buds).

This month's featured book:

Blurb and Reviews:

Beaten and left for dead, Amberlynn Maddox has no memory of her past. Accepting Brede’s offer as temporary ranch cook, the woman, now called Kate, discovers that the sexy rancher, with his protective nature and sizzling kisses, has claimed her heart. When a madman discovers Amberlynn’s hiding place, no one is safe from harm: not Brede, his young daughter—or Amberlynn herself!

“Ms Vines has written a suspenseful romantic tale. Brede and Amberlynn are very strong and likable characters. Brede’s daughter, Gretchen, adds a lot to the story. The ranch hands are very colorful and fun, especially Caldwell, the ornery cook. His elopement had me laughing out loud! This is a very entertaining story.

Rating: 4 cups for “Brede” Rodeo Romance, Book 2

Maura, CoffeeTimeRomance and Find Out About New Books

“Brede’ is an emotionally involving, thrilling suspense filled with passion and romance. The characters are fully developed and will make the reader care about the outcome...A wonderful heartfelt story that will thrill the readers.

5 Hearts

Anita, The Romance Studio

4 Quills!

A must-read, Novelspot.com

Link to Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B004C7W6PE?ccs_id

My books are available via Barnes & Noble. Or via your favorite online vendor.

Amazon has an excerpt for your reading pleasure!

Feel free to share a childhood adventure or two with me (via the comments).

Happy reading!

Connie

  

 

I'm Not A Morning Person...Twilight Becomes Me By Connie Vines #writing in the dark, #opossums #Bat-woman

 

Twilight Becomes Me By Connie Vines 🦇🌕

AKA Writing in the Dark

Audio Book

Summarized from Wikipedia:

A night owl/ evening person/ or owl, is a person who tends/prefers to be active late at night and into the early morning, and to sleep and wake up later than is considered normal; night owls often work late into the night (in some cases, until around dawn), and sleep until relatively late in the day. People with delayed sleep phase syndrome are often described as night owls.

The opposite of a night owl is an early bird — a lark rather than an owl — who tends to fall asleep early and wake early. Researchers traditionally use the terms morningness and eveningness[1] for the two chronotypes, or, in animal behavior, diurnality and nocturnality. In several countries, especially in Scandinavia, someone who stays up late is called a B-person, whereas an early riser is called an A-person.2

Why is it that those of us who write ONLY at night are questioned?  Or simply stared at?

Why do we feel the need to explain or apologize for our behavior?

Do those who begin his/her writing at 4:00 AM experience a need to explain themselves?

Mind you, the questions no longer bother me....it's the 8:00 AM phone calls and people who schedule me for appointments before 10:30 AM.

I do not eat breakfast; I eat brunch.

I am not accustomed to seeing a sunrise or early-morning sunlight.

Daylight Saving Time takes months to adapt to, and when I do, we turn back the clocks.

Famous Authors who are "Night Writers" include:

Charles Dickens,

Robert Frost,

Sylvia Plath,

T.S. Eliot,

Danielle Steele.

Benefits of Night Writing: 

Reduced distractions. The quiet of the night allows for focused creativity.

Unique Inspiration.  Many writers feel that the stillness of the night fosters a different form of inspiration, often leading to more profound ideas.

Cultural Perspective. Night writing is often associated with the romantic notion of the tortured artist, in which solitude and darkness contribute to the creative process.

And to quote F. Scott Fizgeral:

"Here is how midnight oil became literary gold, and how you can write your own chapter and still wake up clear-headed at sunrise."

Are you a night time writer? 

Or is the evening your reading time?

Perhaps you like to switch it up, an early riser on weekdays, a late night on weekends.

Do you have a favorite romantic hero? (everyone does) T.V. show? Movie? 

I must admit, Ducky (NCIS), whether a young Brit or a seasoned NCIS Medical Examiner, is delightfully charming. (catch him in the classic Man From U.N.C.L.E. series, 1960s television).

Please share in the comments

I'm not ALL work and no play :) , after all.

While there's a break in the heat wave. I'm indulging in garden time (you know I love my roses). And baking. Snickerdoodle cookies in the oven (my secret: almond extract in place of vanilla). Yum!

 I'm revising a chapter of my WIP (work in progress).

Update:

Rodeo Book 1, Lynx, is now available on audio!

https://www.audible.com/pd/Lynx-Audiobook/B0FK6K51H

Happy Reading and Listening!

Connie