About KimBoo
Lessons Learned the Hard Way
I spent over 15 years not writing…
I GET IT.
But how did I start writing again? Was it willpower? Was it magic? Was it a Sense of Impending Doom????
No.
It was fanfiction.
I rediscovered my passion for telling stories by getting into the fanfiction community. It happened almost by accident but once I started writing, it was as if I couldn’t stop! When I posted a story for other people to read, and they actually read it, I felt so empowered. The community and support I received helped me face my fears and WIN.
I am now a published author, and sure, it’s been a bumpy ride. Truth bomb: writing is a twisted combination of passion, skill, determination and inspiration. It’s not easy, and no one knows that better than I do.
Along the way I realized that what I got from the fanfiction community is what so many almost-authors lack: support, encouragement, feedback on the process, and constructive criticism on the result.
Now, let me be honest: you could go off and write a fanfiction story right now, post it (on AO3 or fanfiction.net or Livejournal or dreamwidth or tumblr) and get you some of that sweet, sweet encouragement. It’s free! It’s limitless! No matter what the story is about, someone will read it and love it. I guarantee you that, and it will cost you ZILCH. I get nothing out of this (unless you write me some Due South or Teen Wolf fanfic!!! …please?). Go write! Do the thing!!!
…so, hey, you still here? Why haven’t you done that yet?
In fact, why haven’t you written anything — or finished what you started — yet?
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
~ Maya Angelou
Is that where you are now? Doing something that is “just enough” while you shove all your stories into a box you never open? Do you want to break through the limitations holding you back?
The Alchemy of Writing
For me, “not writing” was not about writer’s block (although some would call it that, I suppose). It was about feeling like my stories were unwelcome, unnecessary, immature, and foolish. It was born out of fears that my ideas were silly, that all my characters were mary sues, that revealing too much about my own fantasies and dreams would lead to humiliation. That no one would read the ridiculous things I wrote.
It was easier to get a master’s degree and go get a 9-5 job and forget my stories…my dreams…
Is that where you are now? Doing something that is “just enough” while you shove all your stories into a box you never open? Do you want to break through the limitations holding you back?
I know you can! I want you to!
Me? I got over those fears doing something fun, and having friends I made along the way cheer me on and empower me. Now I hope to do the same for YOU!