For most of my life I dreamed of
becoming a writer of wonderful novels about the extraordinary lives of ordinary
people. While studying history in school, I imagined the many ups and downs,
the twists and turns in the lives of the characters we studied. Sometimes
stories and even conversations between the characters ran around in my head. My
teachers called my thoughts, daydreaming, and I suppose they were a daydream of
sorts. At times when I finished my school work, I found a clean sheet of paper
and began a story. The first I completed was about a horse, similar to Black
Beauty. The plot had a happy ending and my parents enjoyed reading the two-page
story. Their smiles made my day.
After that first attempt at being an
author, I wrote short stories for my family’s enjoyment, but never shared with others
outside the family circle. I felt too embarrassed about my attempts at writing
and my ambitions to be an author. After finishing high school, a college degree
became my goal and ambition. In the meantime, I married and acquired a family,
but finished a degree in elementary education. Life became hurried and hectic
with a husband, children, and teaching career. Writing was pushed to the background,
but as I stood over a stove cooking one of many meals, stories popped into my
head. I engaged in daydreaming again, while watching the beans boil or waiting
for bread to bake. I wrote many stories in my mind, but never on paper.
I went on and completed two
additional degrees while taking care of my family, and teaching school or
working as a school supervisor and principal. Writing was pushed into the far
reaches of my ambitions. Then came retirement. My husband and I bought a recreation
vehicle, traveling most of the United States and Canada. During that time, I
began putting thoughts on paper and making copious notes. Several of our trips
were made to the home sites of my ancestors. We made a trip to Cuba, Missouri
to research my Windle family who moved from Tennessee to Missouri in the early
1800’s. On that trip, I also attended a writer’s conference in Eureka Springs,
Arkansas that inspired me to begin writing a novel about my family in
post-Civil War Missouri. Times were very difficult in Missouri after the war,
and the plight of people trying to earn a living struck my imagination. I began
researching the era in earnest and the Wades
of Crawford County series materialized.
Next, through genealogy research, I
discovered my Scottish roots and heritage. My ancestor, Duncan Munro,
immigrated from Scotland to North Carolina in the early 1800’s. He married,
then moved his family to Alabama. After the Civil War, his son immigrated to
Louisiana where the son’s daughter met and married my great-grandfather. I
traveled to Scotland three times in search of my Scots family, and found them
in the Highlands. While in Scotland, I toured the seat of Clan Munro, Foulis
Castle, and the land of Ferindonald. Ferindonald means, “the land of Donald”.
Donald, ancestor of the Munros, ventured to Scotland from Ireland as a
mercenary soldier to assist King Malcolm in fighting Viking invaders. After
visiting Scotland, the Highland Treasures
series was born.
The path to publication is indeed a
rocky and crooked one. Upon completion of the first novel in the Wades series,
I searched diligently for an agent and publisher to no avail. I attended
conferences, entered contests, edited and rewrote the manuscript several times.
All of my efforts at traditional publishing were fruitless, but self-publishing
loomed as a viable means of getting a manuscript out to readers. I joined
several author organizations and attended a conference conducted by a local
author’s guild. After reading posts written by independent authors and taking
an online course in self-publishing, I decided to form a company and publish my
own books. Also, I came to the conclusion that I don’t have enough life left to
go the traditional publishing route.
I view my writing and publishing as
a fulfillment of a long-time dream, and I encourage other writers to go ahead
and jump in there. Don’t give up, write those fantastic, amazing stories.
Someone is waiting to read them.
Don’t Miss A Highland Ruby: Highland Treasures Book 2
She must choose between a life of adventure with the man she
loves or a settled, secure life with her betrothed. Flora Vass put Gavin Munro
out of her heart and mind until he returned to Scotland after an adventurous
five years in the New World. Gavin left no doubt he returned to make the bonnie
Flora his own and intended to fight for her. Flora’s betrothed, Iain MacKay,
and Gavin’s brother, Chief Andrew Munro, had other plans. Andrew needed her to
marry the MacKay to bring peace between the two clans. Iain MacKay wanted an
heir. War with England looms on the horizon, forcing Flora to choose between
her heart’s desire and her logical choice.
Available Now
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/605460
About Brenda B. Taylor
The desire to write
historical fiction has long been a passion with Brenda B. Taylor. Since
elementary school, she has written stories in her spare time. Brenda earned
three degrees: a BSE from Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; a
MEd from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas; and an EdD from Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas; then worked as a teacher and administrator
in the Texas Public School system. Only after retirement could she fulfill the
dream of publication.
Brenda and her husband
make their home in beautiful East Texas where they enjoy spending time with
family and friends, traveling, and working in Bethabara Faith Ministry, Inc.
She crafts stories about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people in her
favorite place overlooking bird feeders, bird houses, and a variety of blooming
trees and flowers. She sincerely thanks all who purchase and read her books.
Her desire is that the message in each book will touch the heart of the reader
as it did hers in the writing.
Connect with Brenda
Website:
http://historicalheartbeats.com/
Amazon
Author Page: http://amzn.to/JV31xY
Book
Information: http://historicalheartbeats.com/highland-treasures-series
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/rayburnlady
Facebook:
http://facebook.com/authorbrendabtaylor
Tumblr:
http://rayburnlady.tumblr.com
My own path was pretty rocking with three different publishing houses closing during that first year. Each time I thought my book would come out, something would happen. At least through all this, I learned and kept learning.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best with your release!
Congrats on reaching your publication dreams!
ReplyDelete