I was born in Rhode Island and I'm pretty sure I had a pencil in my hand straight out of the womb. I've been writing stories for as long as I can remember. Did I finish all of them? Nah. There always seemed to be a better story to share.
When I was in 6th grade, my all-time favorite TV show debuted, The A-Team. I was hooked on the suspense with only a few episodes. Sometime in the next two years I wrote my first 100+ page story, which turned out to be A-Team fan fiction. I had a blast putting that story together. Mr. Cannell went on to bring me several more suspense-filled shows through the years that followed and I got hooked on them all.
During my last two years of high school, every book I read outside of required school reading was on the Vietnam War. I specifically focused on stories that shared the soldiers' experiences. During this time, I also continued writing stories, more fan fiction for all the shows I watched. (I was the walking TV guide back then.)
College took my parents' money and my sanity. I made good friends, studied hard and decided on a major: English Literature. During this time I interned with the New England Patriots and met my best friend who went on to nag...er, I mean encourage me to pursue publication. I wrote my first romance, although at the time I didn't realize it was a romance, called Breaking Free and it was about a football player and a singer. (It's been long buried under the floorboards, only to be brought out when I want to remind myself how far I've come!)
This is also the time I read Diana Gabaldon's Outlander and my fate was sealed. I LOVED everything about this book and when I finished it, I decided I wanted to create characters that affected my readers the way Jamie and Claire affected me. With my own cheering section led by my best friend, I set out to learn all I could about crafting an intriguing story. In 1999, I joined Romance Writers of America and set out to fulfill my destiny!
As a member of RWA, I began learning so much about writing and the writing life. At the same time, I entered graduate school and learned all I could about being an effective teacher. In 2001, I received my Master's in Education. In 2003, I won my first writing contest and decided to approach my writing as my 2nd job. I happily pursued publication until my dream came true eight years later. I received my first contract in December 2011.
In the years between my first submission and my 1st book hitting the cyber shelves, I saw many writer friends give up for a variety of reasons. I went through several critique partnerships (until I got the AMAZING CPs I have now!). I've had tons of people tell me they would've given up if they'd been writing as long as I had without receiving a contract. But you know what? I'm a storyteller. It's what I do. It's who I am. I can't give it up because even on my worst writing day, it's still the best job I could ever have.
When I was in 6th grade, my all-time favorite TV show debuted, The A-Team. I was hooked on the suspense with only a few episodes. Sometime in the next two years I wrote my first 100+ page story, which turned out to be A-Team fan fiction. I had a blast putting that story together. Mr. Cannell went on to bring me several more suspense-filled shows through the years that followed and I got hooked on them all.
During my last two years of high school, every book I read outside of required school reading was on the Vietnam War. I specifically focused on stories that shared the soldiers' experiences. During this time, I also continued writing stories, more fan fiction for all the shows I watched. (I was the walking TV guide back then.)
College took my parents' money and my sanity. I made good friends, studied hard and decided on a major: English Literature. During this time I interned with the New England Patriots and met my best friend who went on to nag...er, I mean encourage me to pursue publication. I wrote my first romance, although at the time I didn't realize it was a romance, called Breaking Free and it was about a football player and a singer. (It's been long buried under the floorboards, only to be brought out when I want to remind myself how far I've come!)
This is also the time I read Diana Gabaldon's Outlander and my fate was sealed. I LOVED everything about this book and when I finished it, I decided I wanted to create characters that affected my readers the way Jamie and Claire affected me. With my own cheering section led by my best friend, I set out to learn all I could about crafting an intriguing story. In 1999, I joined Romance Writers of America and set out to fulfill my destiny!
As a member of RWA, I began learning so much about writing and the writing life. At the same time, I entered graduate school and learned all I could about being an effective teacher. In 2001, I received my Master's in Education. In 2003, I won my first writing contest and decided to approach my writing as my 2nd job. I happily pursued publication until my dream came true eight years later. I received my first contract in December 2011.
In the years between my first submission and my 1st book hitting the cyber shelves, I saw many writer friends give up for a variety of reasons. I went through several critique partnerships (until I got the AMAZING CPs I have now!). I've had tons of people tell me they would've given up if they'd been writing as long as I had without receiving a contract. But you know what? I'm a storyteller. It's what I do. It's who I am. I can't give it up because even on my worst writing day, it's still the best job I could ever have.
Visit Alexa on the web- http://www.alexabourne.com/Home_Page.html
*Join us tomorrow with some interesting facts about Her Highland Champion*
6 comments:
I'm very exited to read some really interesting facts about this book tomorrow. I'll be tuning in!
*waving to Andrea* Hello dear! Great spotlight on Alexa!!!
I enjoyed reading this, Alexa! We have a lot in common. I also loved the A-Team when I was a kid. And I've been writing almost my whole life.
Hi Renee!!! Thanks for stopping by!!!!
Thanks Vonda, for taking the time out to stop by also!!!
We appreciate you both!!
Alexa, it was great getting to KNOW you a bit better, and once again we have something else in common.
I too, was obsessed with the Vietnam war, I read all the books, went to the wall every year and I even wrote a story about a vietnam war nurse- its not been totally scrapped yet, may still pull it out one day!
While the A-team was never something I watched- I was a huge fan of China Beach. Did you ever watch that??
~Andrea
Waving Alexa. Loved that photo of you, BTW.
How fun to get to know you better. I know that feeling of never giving up - with me it took 22 years to get the contract, but I would never have given up. Not ever. I love writing and believe once you get the bug, you can't stop. You have those voices in your head nagging all the time.
I'm glad you're looking forward to the facts tomorrow, Renee! They're pretty interesting and I think shed a whole new light on the characters.
Vonda, as they say great minds think alike! :-)
OMG, Andrea! I wrote a short story about a female journalist in Vietnam (At least, I think she was.)I also went to the Wall for Veterans' Day each year while in college. I watched China Beach for a while, but never did get totally into it. I was obsessed with Tour of Duty, though. Did you ever watch that?
Thanks, Paisley! I hate most pics of me but a lot of people like this one so....And yes, we have to do SOMETHING with those voices! LOL!
WAVING ALEXA AND HOPING I GET LUCKY!! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE. LOL
linda_bass@sbcglobal.net
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