You can hear about my official ‘writing journey’ on my website in the “About Keri” tab. Honestly, that’s the story of how I arrived at the place I am today – a published author with many more stories to tell.
I’ve always loved reading. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t. That turned into a love of writing. For my birthday one year, I was gifted a diary. The cliché book with a lock to keep my deepest thoughts to myself. Rather than thinking and writing about my feelings and experiences of the day, I crossed out the dates and used the book to write short stories, poetry, and other creative work that I didn’t want anyone to see. I didn’t write about boys or problems with friends or any of the other things girls typically wrote.
These stories were all for me. If anyone saw them, it wasn’t because I showed them. I never thought of writing as a job or a career I could have. I turned toward ideas like police officer, teacher, and other ‘real’ jobs.
It wasn’t until my senior year of high school I seriously thought about writing as more than a hobby. My English teacher handed back a paper I wrote and point-blank asked me why I hadn’t been in her freshman advanced English class. I’d heard time and again how good my academic writing was, but I still never showed anyone my personal creativity.
Instead of pursuing a creative writing degree or merely a career as an author without a college education, I went to college with the hopes of becoming an English teacher. I met some pitfalls and ultimately turned toward professional writing. I’ve had writing experiences I wouldn’t have had if I had gotten that teaching degree. I’ve written news copy, travel blogs, website content, and now – finally – my first novel.
I still kept my personal creativity private. I currently can’t think of any friends of family who have read anything completely unpolished.
Writing is still deeply personal and private for me, and there are some things that may never see the light of day. But I have learned that when you have something to say, and the right people listen, it opens up doors you could only dream of approaching one day.
I hope you enjoy Midnight Splash and any other work I’m brave enough to show the rest of the world.