How I Found My Voice as a Romantic Drama Writer

Good question.

I never consciously thought about myself in my writing. I’m the one who has to organize this stuff — find writing software, even though I tend to handwrite. Pens — I love pens. And the right notebook—for when the laptop is at 25% and the phone is a brick. See why I like handwriting? Nowhere in there is my writing voice.

What got me started was a friend. She encouraged me — a lot. We would sit around drinking. HEY! I never claimed to be a saint. And we would come up with ideas from our lives, our friends’ lives — especially our family members’ lives. I told her, “I’ve got enough drama to write a book.”

“Then write it!”

And here I am. But that doesn’t answer the question, right? I know, but this will…

Once upon a time—that really is real, isn’t it?

Once upon a time, I met a guy I thought was the bee’s knees. (See how old I am?) We spent every waking moment together.

“Isn’t my girlfriend pretty?”

People — including me, after a while — would roll their eyes at that one, even if it was cool to hear sometimes.

He was an International Business major who pontificated about topics that would numb any thought you forgot you had. But I didn’t care. He was cute and funny and thoughtful. He seemed so genuine, it was like a dream. Until his representative fell asleep, and the real guy appeared.

Not a happy ending.

That kinda thing happened many times. I’m sure it happens to fellas too. I could be wrong. I dunno. All I know is, my experiences shaped how I saw love and romance. I was wooed, cuddled, felt warm and fuzzy — the sex wasn’t bad either. But eventually, the real person always got in the way.

I thought about what my Prince Charming would look like, how he’d treat me, and what our life together would be like. It was peaceful, happy, and new every day. Even arguments about leaving the toilet seat up wouldn’t be a big deal.

Then, Mr. Right got the memo.

Now, in my humble opinion, I’m too old to get married. So, we shacked up and played house — me, him, and his young son. Can you say DRAMA?

The former girlfriend — not even wife — wouldn’t let go. At the same time she constantly had last-minute visitation cancellations. Something, or someone, always came up. She was late on her child support, so he had to take her to court. Then there was HIS ongoing drama — sisters wanting us to get married and brothers who owed him money. I had to get out. Thank God we didn’t get married.

So, mixing my life with some of my family members’ lives — and a bit of imagination — gave me my material. For all intents and purposes, I suppose my friend Chellie did give me my voice…

“Then write it!”