The Non-Traditional Path to Publication
For fun, I asked the AI built into this blogging app to write a paragraph about how I became a writer. Here is the answer it created:
Becoming a writer has been a transformative journey for me. It all began with my insatiable curiosity and love for storytelling. As a child, I would frequently immerse myself in books, devouring every word and letting my imagination take flight. This passion for words continued to blossom throughout my teenage years, where I started jotting down my own thoughts and creating fictional worlds. However, it was during college that I finally found the courage to embrace my calling. I enrolled in creative writing classes, sought feedback from mentors, and tirelessly honed my craft. Over time, my words started to resonate with others, and the joy of connecting with readers became an addiction that I could never get enough of. Writing has become more than just a career; it is a profound expression of who I am. Through every word I weave, I hope to inspire, entertain, and leave a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of those who wander into the worlds I create.
Not a single word of it is true for me (except that last bit I highlighted), but this paragraph is like the “writer journey” I’ve seen countless times in writer bios.
My path to a writing career looks a bit like this photo. Winding, twisting, and uphill.
My writing journey is the path less taken. The mid-life career switch. Leaving behind the lawyer biz and jumping off a cliff into the unknown.
And it began not by being a bookworm or spending hours writing but with a love of story, myth, and magical heroes not found in the novels in my school library.
My writing journey begins with comic books.
I’d lay on the floor of my brother’s bedroom and devour his comic books. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman were my favorites.
The mythical stories built around archetypes coupled with the magic and super-powered heroes spoke to me. These elements find their way into my writing even now.
Emily’s House, by Natalie Wright (2011)
Book 1 of the Akasha Chronicles, a young adult fantasy series.
Eventually, I found my way to sci-fi and fantasy books like A Wrinkle in Time and others. Though I wrote stories and poetry all through high school (and won multiple awards for my writing), lacking encouragement to pursue it (while being encouraged into a career in which I’d be more likely to make money), I put aside my pen and began a career as a lawyer. Creativity took a back seat.
Then, an event rocked my world and changed everything.
I had a baby! My creative energy was unleashed, and I began thinking about story again. And writing.
Slowly and haltingly at first, but I kept at it day after day.
I had a dream one night that ended with a vision of a golden armband hovering over a green field. This vision took hold of me, and I began researching ancient Ireland and Celtic lore.
From that curiosity came my first novel, Emily’s House, which was featured on Wattpad and has now been read over 2.1 million times worldwide! The novel isn’t as polished as what I write now, but I’m proud of myself for not giving up on that story and seeing it through. It represents unleashing my creative side, which I’d suppressed to pursue a “sensible” career.
Going from writing legal articles and non-fiction to writing fiction wasn’t easy. Learning how to capture emotion in words while still conveying plot, setting, character arc, etc., takes time, and it is largely learned by doing. Write, get feedback, edit, re-write, feedback—write, rinse, repeat! I also went to workshops, writer’s conferences, and classes, as well as sought out writers in my community.
But once the “writing bug” caught me, it didn’t let go. One story became three, and then another series (H.A.L.F.), and taking my books on the road to comic cons, SFF cons, and book festivals throughout the western U.S. In 2016, I traveled over 10,000 miles for book events!
The absolute best part of being a published writer is interacting with readers. Throughout the 20-teens, I met thousands of readers at dozens of events. We talked about books and other media we love, from Star Wars to Game of Thrones and everything in between. It gave me a chance to hear directly from readers about what they enjoy and what they’d like to read. These gatherings created connections with people that have become friends as well as fans. And it is from these interactions that the seeds for my latest work, Season of the Dragon, took root.
Season of the Dragon, eBook by Natalie Wright (2023)
With the arrival of Season of the Dragon, I’m back at doing what I love most—transporting readers to worlds of myth, magic, lovable misfits—and dragons! And I’m back on the road, meeting readers and sharing our love of stories.
The winding road continues to carry me on a journey of curiosity and creativity, one story at a time.
If you’re not familiar with my work, welcome to my world! And if you’re a longtime fan, it’s good to see you again. :-)
H.A.L.F.: The Deep Beneath, by Natalie Wright (2015)
Book 1 of the H.A.L.F. series
