This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
‘When one door closes, another opens…’ Alexander Graham Bell famously quoted.
I am a living example of that such phenomenon. As I was diagnosed with cancer an extraordinary thing was happening in my work life. It was 2008, the year after I’d undergone preventative surgery (as I carry the BRCA 1 cancer gene). In spite of my best efforts, I was diagnosed with cancer for the first time.
I briefly considered going insane, but quickly decided against it. Instead I began writing. I hadn’t written a single thing since my school essay days. I had no formal training, but I had so, so many ideas!
So when my ramblings on book one (before edit I think they amounted to almost 350 thousand words!) finally came to a halt, I printed it off and sent it to two publishing houses.
I’m very quick to assure you dear reader, I had no idea how difficult it is to be published, or indeed the volume of books that are sent to editors each year.
I’m guessing my neighbours thought I’d won the lottery such was the volume of ecstatic screams that emanated from my kitchen as I received two separate offers in as many weeks.
As my cancer treatment continued, so too did my writing. My first novel Designer Genes was published in Ireland in 2009.Over time, I’ve learned so much about writing and the book industry. It’s a marvellous magical and incredibly inspiring world to be a part of. Since 2009 I’ve written five further novels including Perfect Wives (currently out in paperback) and my brand new novel The Summer Guest will be out in April.
Seeing as cancer was snapping at my heels (to date I’ve had it nine times), I felt it would be almost rude not to write about that too. So I changed tack momentarily in 2010 and penned a memoir. It’s odd to write about one’s self. It prompts a lot of introspective thought. It was probably the best therapy I could ever wish for, as I got it all out there. Nothing remains lurking like an evil chuckling goblin in the recesses of my mind. In turn, fiction writing is the best form of escapism I know. In light of all this writing therapy, I ought to be very grounded by now, right?
I can’t vouch for my sanity, but I couldn’t imagine doing any other job ever. Writing has been my saviour. I am certain that my book deal moment has changed my life for the better. I feel incredibly lucky to call myself an author and I will never tire of seeing my name inscribed on the cover of a book. What a privilege!
Emma's latest book, Perfect Wives, is out now.