The Accidental Author

[Celia Yeary]

I'm Celia Yeary, I write Romance...and a little bit of Texas. In fact,everything I write is bases in, on, or about Texas and it's residents. Since I was a biology high school teacher in a private military boarding school, I had no background for writing fiction. However, I dabble in it beginning in 2004, and now have a very nice number of novesl, short stories, and articles published. That's why I call myself The Accidental Author. I began writing when I had an accident, was a little imobile, and began writing something because of mind-numbing boredom. Never wrote anything in my life until then. Thanks...Celia Yeary

[Paula Martin]

I never knew that was how, when and why you first started writing, Celia!

[Celia Yeary]

I never knew that was how, when and why you first started writing, Celia!

Yes, I hurt my back playing golf, plus not long before that, I broke my ankle on the golf course....So I had to lounge about with my feet up for weeks. Very boring. My husband bought an old laptop at a garage sale for a dollar, and since Word was the only thing that worked, I started writing stuff, just to pass the time. Lands, I began a novel! And it became my first one--second to be published. He bought a new shiny Toshiba laptop with all the bells and whistles. I've been in love ever since--with my computer--oh, with him, too. Celia

[Linda Swift]

I shudder to think that without that accident, we would not have all those wonderful Texas-set stories, Celia.
I'm sorry you had to suffer to achieve this, but I think you'll agree it has been worth it.

[Linda Swift]

I never knew that was how, when and why you first started writing, Celia!

Celia Yeary's accident proved to be a blessing in disguise. If not for that, we wouldn't have those wonderful Texas-set stories to enjoy.
In contrast to Celia's route to writing, mine began at age ten. First poems, then a romance novel at sixteen. After marriage, I wrote short stories for my children. During delayed college years there were articles and skits. More poetry and short stories followed. Then came more novels and finally publication of my first book. My route to writing had many detours. Marriage, college, jobs in public education, relocating many times and places due to my husband's work. Changing genres, and crossover from mass market pubs to digital. Now as Linda Swift, I have a wide selection of books released and I invite you to learn about them at www.lindaswfit.net

[Paula Martin]

My writing rooute was similar to yours, Linda - I was writing stories when I was 8 or 9, wrote romances in my teens (for my friends) and had my first romance novel published in the 60's, followed by 3 more, plus some short stories in magazines. Then real life got in the way - family, teaching career, running a Girl Guide unit, directing shows with our local Musical Theatre. I came back to fiction writing in 2006, first with fan-fiction for fans of 'The West Wing', and then romance novels again.
Unlike you, Linda, I've not yet played around with other genres. Never say never, but at the moment I'm happy writing contemporary romances.

[Paula Martin]

That's amazing! All that talent inside you, just waiting to be released by a bad back and broken ankle! Oh, and glad you still love your husband as well as your Toshiba!

[Linda Swift]

That's amazing! All that talent inside you, just waiting to be released by a bad back and broken ankle! Oh, and glad you still love your husband as well as your Toshiba!

In case you thought you were seeing double, you were. I didn't think my first remarks re Celia's into got posted so I duplicated, as best I could, and posted again. Then both showed up. I've tried to delete #2 and think I've succeeded now. I'm trying to learn my way around in preparation for our May 23rd forum.
Today I'm editing my sequel for Maid of the Midlands. If I do even a chaper a day, it will soon be ready to submit. It was finished, I thought, then realized I'd jumped ahead too far in architecture, food, and a few other things. So now I'm outlining in red what needs more research. But I'm stopping work soon and get ready to go out to Panera Bread for a quick dinner. Oooooo, I love their pastries.

[Paula Martin]

I can't work out why my replies aren't 'attaching' themselves to the post I'm replying to. Which reply should I be using - the reply button, or the quick reply at the bottom of the page? Maybe I'll work it out eventually!

[Celia Yeary]

Like you two, I'm not sure where to answer or reply to what you say. This is what I need to figure out. But thanks to you, Paul, and Linda, for helping me test this, and yes, to get to know each other a little better--or is that doable? Haha. Celia