I’ve loved to write since childhood. I always enjoyed English class, both English Comp, and English Lit, but my greatest enjoyment came from English Composition. It was there I could let my imagination soar and take me to wonderful places where anything was possible. I can remember numerous requirements in class with regard to writing a short essay, full length compositions, critiquing one’s work, understanding the reason behind another writer’s choice, that sort of thing, whatever the teacher’s requirement in English was on any particular day, and I well remember my excitement entering whatever piece I’d written into county fair competitions, assorted literature gatherings, and trying my best to hold my own among the imaginative pieces awaiting the judge’s final word. So many talented young writers in my area, and I was just happy to be among them and have my work before those who not only loved to read, but whose teachings and critique meant so much in helping each of us to improve. It all helped to build a better basis for each written piece that was to follow.
As strange as it sounds, writing wasn’t what I set out to do as a career, therefore I was never professionally trained in the field, but because of my affinity for the subject, I developed a keen sense of manipulating written words where I could express my feelings in a much better way than expressing them verbally. I would write assorted short stories, compose poetry, keep a diary, that sort of thing, but in 2001 I decided to try my hand at writing a novel. This decision stayed with me over the course of ten years which resulted in the writing of the original two-part Passion in Paris.
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I self-published the first part, Passion in Paris: Connections to the Past in 2010, the second, Passion in Paris: Directions of the Heart in 2011, but I was never satisfied with the final product or the self publishing company that I had chosen to publish it,  so I terminated my contract and pulled my work. In 2012, after finding a new publishing outlet, I had the opportunity to totally redo the story in one book, which was the way I had originally intended it to be done in the first place. The finished novel, Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, which I am extremely proud of, was released  in the summer of 2013. With regard to publishing any of my work, I decided at the beginning to take the self publishing route because I wanted to maintain direction of my work, as well as the Rights to it, and not have to sign either away in order to obtain a publishing contract with a Standard House.
It’s a hard road; then again any road in this field can be difficult regardless of the route chosen because nothing is certain, you just have to believe in yourself, your ability, and be sure you research every aspect of it as well as you can. When it comes to editing, I do tend to feel one improves in this area with each written piece, and I have managed to acquire a fair understanding with regard to it, however I don’t consider myself an editor in any way. I do edit my work to a certain degree as I go, but I leave the main editing to the professionals.
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2.) What is the “Best Thing” you enjoy about being a Writer & Author?
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I love the challenge of a blank page, and letting my thoughts and imagination pull me into it. I very much love creating characters that I can mold and give life to, insert them into a world that I have created for them, and watch them flourish within it. It becomes entirely my own world where I’m in charge — most of the time that is — as characters often have a way of taking over and demanding their own way, their own words, and their own actions. This often directs a story down a far different road than you started out on. But it’s a great feeling to watch a story that has formed in your head come to life on a page that in turn becomes a complete book. As an author you hope it will bring enjoyment to the reader, hopefully as much as it brought you to write it.
I can only speak for myself and what best works for me, but I basically write for myself and my enjoyment. I think a lot of writers do, because without the enjoyment that it primarily provides, the first page would never get written….
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I surely can identify a lot of how Rusty feels about the actual Writing Process. Although, I have found when you write about what you know, what your passionate about, whether it is Fiction or Non-Fiction, it truly will show in your finished book or novel.
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I want to “Thank Rusty Blackwood” for all the wonderful insights into her literary world. I think it’s fabulous when “Authors and Writers” share and interact with their readers and fans. It’s really what it’s all about, and why we also chose to write. When we know our readers look forward to our hard work to bring them a little “Joy” in their “Me Time,” it makes us as writers feel good. Did I tell you she writes poetry as well? Hers are books by Rusty, and where you can connect with her.
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*I hope you’ll go by her website and as always, tell her “Author Catherine Lyon” sent you!*http://www.rusty-blackwood.com/ ~ Her book website
http://www.poetrypoem.com/rusty5#sthash.jnO3j9DZ.dpuf  ~ Her Poetry
http://www.twitter.com/rusty_blackwood ~ Twitter
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rusty-Blackwood/192607652032 ~ FB Page https://www.goodreads.com/lovingwords ~ Goodreads
http://www.authors.com/profile/RustyBlackwood/ ~ Authors.com
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