Write? Not me!

 By: Marcia King-Gamble

www.lovemarcia.com

How does a Psychology/Theater major end up being a writer? Well, lots of funny things and careers happened along the way to my forum.

My mother, for one, thought I should be a journalist, but with my strong opinions, I thought that would not be a good choice. I speak my mind usually, and diplomacy is something I acquired over the years. Then there was that C I received in creative writing; my one and only C I might add. My professor hated my writing and called it, “Welcome to teeny tunes.” My topics were always about the challenges of youth, and yes my professor was a b---h, and most of her students literally shook when she entered the classroom.  But heck, I was nineteen years old, and my world was myopic. What else was there to write about other than personal experiences?

  

My goal was to be a therapist. I planned on putting my dual major to work in the field of psychodrama. What that means is patients act out roles to correct and work through issues.  For a very brief time I even participating in one of those groups. It was essential to understanding the process.  Some where along the way my interest waned.

After graduation, the airlines came calling, and I jumped at the opportunity to see the world on someone else’s dime. Life in the hospitality industry was exciting and kept me in and out of the country for years. Roles in management had me busy and stressed.

Then one day, my then husband found a box of “teeny tunes,”  and determined I could write. He will tell you that my writing was one of the reasons he fell in love with me.  And it was he who spotted an article in the newspaper for a local group called, ‘New Jersey Romance Writers.’ He urged me to attend.

I found the group helpful, exciting, encouraging and professional. Buoyed by all that talent around me, I’d submit some very amateurish work that got encouraging rejections.  The truth was, my heart was still not into writing until I met a freelance reader for Harlequin/Silhouette. She shared with me another aspect of the business that I didn't know existed. Harlequin hired freelance readers to prescreen unsolicited manuscripts. 

This was much more my speed. I love to read, and reading manuscripts from the slush pile, and telling the editors which were worthy of their attention was definitely more me.   I read for seven years, until one day it clicked. I now had a pretty good idea of what editors might be looking for. Then and only then did I seriously begin to submit.

In 1997 thanks to the late editor, Monica Harris (founder of Kensington’s Arabesque line) I was signed to a two book contract. And in 1998 Remembrance was released. 

Now 19 years later, having written for Kensington, St. Martin’s Press, BET and Harlequin, I am the proud author of over 30 books and 8 novellas. This is my dream.

I write every day, whether I’m on deadline or not. It’s been therapeutic and gotten me through many stressful  life changing events. Writing works like exercise for me. It gives me an endorphin rush.

Writing is what I love and is an integral part of my life!   Now who would have thought?

Romance writer, Marcia King-Gamble originally hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. This former travel industry executive and current world traveler has spent most of life in the United States. A National Bestselling author, Marcia has penned more than 31 books and 8 novellas. Her free time is spent at the gym, traveling to exotic locales, and caring for her animal family.

Visit Marcia at www.lovemarcia.com or “friend” her on Facebook.