Wow, that sounds like a really long time but not so much so. I wrote a short story in 1979 called 'Forced Growth' for a creative writing class that the teacher, friends, and family wanted me to expand on.
In 2016, after finally retiring for the third time, I set out to do that very thing. I have to admit the toughest thing about writing this book, and there were some tough times, was deciding on the final title.
I thought I started with a solid foundation of a good short story that I received an A grade. When I joined the Kitsap Writers Group and submitted the story for critique, I was in for an enlightening. The story was great and the writing sucked.
To make a long story short, think of just about everything a writer could do wrong from head-hopping to data dumping, and telling not showing and I had it. After brutal, but loving nurturing the group set me on the path.
As I wrote the book, I studied and read how-to books from Sol Stein to Stephen King and plot structures and character arcs and on and on. Then as I went along I bounced my story against what was supposed to be a component of a good story and I wasn't doing to bad. Lending me to think I had a least a natural bent for storytelling that needed honing. The writer's group provided the stone upon which I rubbed my head on, on a monthly basis. I appreciated their patience and input more than I can express. I love them all.
Emmett J Hall
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083G9156T
