I Never Wanted To Be A Writer by Aleshia Robinson

I NEVER WANTED TO BE A WRITER

I am currently working on two books simultaneously, Alcatraz The Prodigal Pearl, the fourth novel in the Love, God & Tattoos series, and a 365 day devotional bearing the series name. I am often asked by people "Have you always wanted to be a writer?" or "When did you start writing?" I just laugh when people ask me that because I NEVER WANTED TO BE A WRITER. EVER! I can't stress this enough. I wanted to dance for Janet Jackson. That was my life goal which is why I moved to Los Angeles twice, to be behind her moving to Rhythm Nation. I ended up doing allot of background work as an actress but never professionally danced for anybody especially Janet. I never even made it to her audition.

So what happened? You might ask: “How did you write a novel with no desire to do so?”

Well it all started when I became a Christian in 2007. I abandoned all my desires and dreams and just read the bible, worked a boring 9-5 and went to church. LITERALLY! My soul was so empty and hungry for truth and answers I neglected all of my own wants and soaked up the Word which led me to Bible College a year later in August 2008. Then I transferred to the Atlanta campus in August 2009 where I met my roommate from New York, a published Author and Journalist for the past 25 years. I stayed up until 3 o'clock in the morning listening to her hilarious stories about past experiences and admired her tenacity for her achievements in the publishing field. Still not having any desire to follow in her footsteps.

Then in November 2009, three months after I met her and moved to Atlanta, the director of our school gave us an assignment. "I want y'all to write a testimony about what God has done in your life. Tell us where the Lord has brought you from and where you are now." As I looked around the school I noticed how the students were mainly southerners brought up in church with similar stories and thought "I want to talk about a girl who is not here. Like a tattoo artist or an orphan or something. How would her life be different is she experienced the unconditional love of God?"

And ALCATRAZ was born just like that.

What was supposed to be a 2 page assignment turned into an 11 page story I could not stop writing. I asked my roommate about it and she told me to just keep writing and see where it takes me. 17 months later and 73,219 words behind me, I found myself working with a professional editor and graphic designer; building my own website; connecting my blog to my twitter and facebook; setting up a photo shoot in San Antonio for my book cover; creating a profile on Smashwords, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobles; and reading blogs on self publishing. Four years later she is still on the forefront of my brain. I never in my wildest dream thought to become an Author or Publisher but I guess that is what following Christ will do to anyone who believes. It will accidentally and effortlessly lead you to your life's purpose.