Just Like Starting Over
An Introduction
New website, new blog, new vision, same me.
First, since this is brand new, let me (re)introduce myself. I’m Carlie Yates, That One Writer Chick, professional storyteller of the indie variety. I have three grown boys, the last two on opposite ends of the autism spectrum. I affectionately refer to them as Big, Middle, and Little. I am immensely proud of all of them. Little is my forever child and still lives at home. Life is never boring, trust me.
I have been writing stories since I was in the fifth grade. My first was a fanfiction based on “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton called “Inside the Outsiders.” Hey, I was in fifth grade, some slack should be given. My sister and our friends had told me I should write it after the ending of that book absolutely gutted me, so I did. Believe me, I’m so happy it no longer exists in this world because I would cringe a LOT. But my love for writing, for creating my own characters was born. I continued writing through the rest of my school years becoming known as That One Writer Chick. I embraced the title and continue to use it to this day.
Travel time, please
I am a Midwest girl but have traveled extensively through the states and even lived for a hot minute in the metro Toronto, Ontario area (that’s a story for another day). I would often come home from work on Friday, pack up the car, go up to see my friend, Rose, up in Canada, and drive home Sunday afternoon. I even made it up to North Bend, Washington to do a mini “Twin Peaks” tour with my friend Cody. My love of traveling comes from my parents, mostly my dad who would call home and have my mom pack us and we’d just go. I miss my traveling days, but the stories live on forever.
Give me music
My love of music came from my dad, although he preferred country and bluegrass. I listen to almost all genres and have multiple playlists that cross over from rock to country to pop to classical. I’d have to say my favorite bands of all time are Brad and Pearl Jam, with the late Shawn Smith and Eddie Vedder sharing favorite singers’ category with Ryan Adams. Oh, and Stevie Nicks. And Ann Wilson. And I could keep going. Music fuels me, lifts me up, keeps me going. One of my novels, “California Stars,” is named after the song by Billy Bragg and Wilco, and each of the chapters are named after songs. And if anyone asks, I’d say Jase and Talia’s song (from the Time Stands Still series) was, I’d say “Avalanche” by David Cook. Music shapes so much of my life and it extends to my writing.
Wish Me Monsters
October 8, 2015, is a day that changed my life forever. It was the beginning of my journey living with chronic pain and chronic illnesses. I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy), fibromyalgia, and a laundry list of other issues making day to day living, especially with a disabled child, rather challenging. Living with and writing with these issues has evolved over the years with medication, surgeries, a spinal cord stimulator implant, and physical and mental therapy. They’ll never go away; I’ve just had to adapt to my life with them. I always tell people to check out the spoon theory but replace spoons with monsters. I’m team Monster Brigade all the way.
Thank You
You know, I could go on and on and on, but I think I’ll stop here. I’ll most likely hit on these in future blogs. I wanted to say thank you for being here, for reading this, for your support in this little indie author who could. It means everything to me. Here’s to many more years and books to come!
