Author Support

When I started writing many decades ago, I wrote about the subject that was the love of my life -- horses. I loved horses. I lived and breathed horses. I developed a entire pedigree about those horse characters of mine, starting with a stallion named Fade to Gray. Gray was of course a gray horse with a black mane, a stripe on his face, and a white sock on his back foot. He became the fastest horse in the world. One of his offspring was a horse named Makin' Money, out of a mare named She-Devil. He became a racehorse as well. All of their stories were quite fanciful but I was ten years old. The summer before sixth grade, I decided I'd take all of my stories and write a novel and I did. It took me about a month or so but I wrote Fade to Gray's story -- handwritten, using pencil in a hardcover blank journal. Later I wrote as second story in Fade to Gray called, "Ghost of a Legend" (yup, about a horse) before I wrote "Mrs. Howell's Makin Money," followed by my murder mystery story, Terrors of the Moor (which is a longer read in Could've Been Something.) I made my own covers for each book, wrapped them with packing tape so they'd last longer and there it was -- a published book. 

Over 35 years later not much has changed, has it? I'm still publishing my own novels and creating my own covers. But I've learned a lot since then and I still learn a lot as I go. I've got to say, though, that the confidence and quality of by writing has grown since then (whew!) but I still have fun with my writing and I still enjoy my characters and building them.  

Q: How did you decide to start writing? 

I *could* say that I've always loved to write but because I am a homeschooling mom of three, I know I'd be lying. I know -- You'd expect my children to be very excited to read and write too. Nope. Not at all. I do recall that wasn't too thrilled about writing outside of school work when I was their ages (What do you mean four sentences for a paragraph? Why so many???)  BUT, I discovered my love of writing in 4th grade with an activity dealing with the Chris Van Allsburg book The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. And that was all it took. I was addicted. 

Q: What help have you had along the way? Who was your support as an emerging writer?

I was fortunate to have the support of my parents growing up. My mom has read everything I have written from the first Fade to Gray book all the way to my most recent published novel. She has provided a lot of feedback and help, always my biggest fan. One of my earliest non-relative support was my mom's boss and best friend, Laura. She was a huge fan of music, reading, and education. She worked in the school library of our elementary school and would also do a music-education type program where the classes would spend a half hour or so learning and singing songs while Laura played the piano. After I had written Fade to Gray, Laura expressed interest in reading my book and then provided me with my very first book review. So here it is (Of course I've kept the review!)

A year later she also reviewed "Mrs. Howell's Making Money," which was an equally encouraging review. I honestly would have enjoyed to see what Laura would have said about my books these days, to see how far my writing has come since writing about race horses. She has been gone for well over ten years now but I still think about her and the motivating reviews that she did for a twelve-year-old. Of course, as an adult, I have reread my original horse race stories and am humored by them (Didn't I mention they were fantastic?). I appreciate her enthusiasm and passion with the reviews because they did two things for me: 

1. They infused me with the excitement to forge on with with writing.

2. They inspired me to further learning about how to grow my writing. 

When I entered junior high, I found a correspond-by-mail course for the Institute of Children's Literature in Connecticut. Thanks to my supportive parents, I enrolled in a year long program, mentored by a published author with the Institute. So, while most junior high kids are worrying about their social life, hair, makeup, and clothes, I was busy spending my time writing, learning, and still being horse crazy. By the time I graduated from the 8th grade, I had also graduated from the Institute of Children's Literature and knew a lot more about the writing process. The support doesn't end there. Since becoming published in 2022, I have had a small but passionate core group of die-hard #1 fans who support me by reading my books! I am appreciative to all of you!!!! 

Q: How can someone support writers and authors?

It's very easy. Interact. If you are an author/writer, then you can interact with other authors and writers via social media, their blogs, review their books, etc. I know, I know -- But Em, I don't know any authors and writers. Well, if you're reading this, and you haven't met me before, then this is your first chance -- Interact!!! What do I mean by interact? Like a social media post. Share a social media post. Read a book. Rate a book. Review a book. Tell a friend about the books. Comment on this blog or social media post. Follow my page. Comment that you're a fellow author and mention something resonated with you. If you are reading this and you know another author or writer but you yourself don't write, try some of the above things with them. Volunteer to be their beta reader (or advance copy reader) and follow up by reviewing their book. If you're not sure about how to review a book, there are ample websites out there that teach you how to write a good book review.  And then rave about their books if you enjoy them. Suggest them to your book club. Check them out at the library if they are there (even if you've read them before). 

I hope you've enjoyed this small look into my journey as an author. Readers and authors go together like a PB&J. We write so you can live all of these different adventures that our imaginations have dreamed up. And we appreciate you for reading our work!!

If you've got any questions, let me know!

Don't forget -- You can read all thirteen of my current novels for free if you have Kindle Unlimited. You can find them available 24/7 at Amazon on Kindle, in paperback, and in hardcover. 

There is always an adventure in an Em Brooks book -- Thank you for being a part of it!!