How old were you when you decided to be a writer? Or, how hold were you when writing chose you? This topic surfaced in an earlier post when the L.A. Times Festival of Books surveyed authors on the age they started their writing careers. I am revisiting the topic again as I have a few relics from my childhood to share. Since it is Thursday, this is super fitting for Throwback Thursday. #TBT

My first day of kindergarten in September 1990.
My love and I went back to our hometown on Long Island over New Year’s. While cleaning out old files and attic treasures, my parents found my kindergarten memory book, report cards, awards, diaries…and of course my “X-Files” action figures still in their original packaging!

Focused already at age 5! I think Mother’s Day involved cupcakes, so that explains my choice.

Now I use a palette of words.
These items have migrated from one attic to another–except one. I am in the early stages of decorating my office (Just picked out the hardwoods and paint color!) and I will frame my first writing award to crown my new space. 🙂

Although not from kindergarten, I found my first writing award. Circa 6th grade.
I’m not certain about the age, but I do remember playing with my barbie dolls (and the kens) and having quite the developed scripts for them to act out. It was never playing house or just plain visiting. There were plots! 🙂 And I remember watching the Spider-Man cartoons and writing the next episode’s plot in my head. I’d do that for TV series too. But the clearest vision of me putting words (of fiction) a piece of paper is when I was 12 in my English class. I was also addicted to movies by then and was dreaming of my Oscar speech. 🙂
I remember making plots with dolls too! Have you ever dabbled in scriptwriting as an adult? Curious if your TV-plot-generating tendencies resurfaced.
Yep, I’ve two finished scripts, one for a feature drama and one for a one-hour TV pilot (drama):) I’m getting professional coverage and entering contests. In February, depending on results, I’ll pitch and query too:)