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A Beginning Writer’s Uphill Climb

Cresting the hill to sixty is an interesting time to take up serious writing. When I say serious, I actually mean writing to get published—a challenging feat at any age. My last English class was in 8th grade, but when my husband informed me he was going to write a book, I boldly offered to help. By the time the final proof was at the publishers, a new passion had ignited my soul. I wanted to write! I enjoyed every aspect of publishing from first draft to final manuscript. I excelled at editing content and flow, but quickly discovered grammar was not my forte.

No problem.

I signed up for English 50 at Bakersfield College, a crash course in critical writing and thinking. . .and almost expired. Attending two evening classes a week on top of a very busy work schedule with out of town travel was insane. An additional ten to fifteen hours a week was required for homework. What was I thinking?

I loved every minute of it.

Joining Writers of Kern (WOK) and a critique group helped me find an online Fiction Writers Workshop offered by Iowa University—I signed up immediately (even though I’d never written a word of fiction in my life). What better way to find out if I’d like it? But thinking about doing something new is so much easier than actually doing it. The first assignment almost had me running for the door. They wanted an inanimate object to come to life and have an experience with real people! My very practical critical, brainy self went straight into a tail spin.

I did it anyway.

A new world of existence opened before me over the following weeks as I delved into plot, character, motivation, and setting. I was sad when the course was over. I missed the excellent teaching, peer reviews, and participation in a close writing community. However, fertile seeds were sown for future pieces, and the experience encouraged me to explore other writing venues.

It was liberating.

Fast forward a few years and a gazillion WOK meetings later and I am a published author with works in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Gratitude; The California Writers Club Literary Review; and Res Ipsa (Kern County Bar Association Magazine). My first book, The Anglican Rosary: Going Deeper with God—Prayers and Meditations with Protestant Prayer Beads was published on June 11, 2019.

Writers of Kern made this possible.

Was it easy? No. Rewarding? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

Writers of Kern continues to be my mentor, muse, and inspiration. The excellent speakers, conferences, and resources challenge me to grow as a writer and keep me up to date on publishing trends. The critique groups are invaluable and interactions with fellow writers encouraging. I’m honored to part of an organization that truly has its members best interests at heart.

Jenny Lynn Estes jennylynnestes.com The Anglican Rosary: Going Deeper with God—Prayers and Meditations with Protestant Prayer Beads