Len, the Writer

We crossed paths in 1999. We were both new members of  Tambuli Toastmasters, in Makati, Philippines then and our minds were just in sync.

She was the one who influenced me to blog in 2006 (via Friendster blogs) and up to now she's still convincing me to continue to work on my writing so I'll become a (serious) writer someday.

Here's Len.

When did you discover your love for writing?

I began writing stories when I was in high school. My first avid reader was my sister. I remember writing a comic book about twins who fell in love with the same boy. Sadly, I don't know anymore where the notebooks are.  I should have kept them somewhere safe.

Tell us about your blog, Len Lambert, the Writer... how is it different from Conversations with Self?

Conversations with Self was created sometime in 2007.  It began as a personal blog, some kind of an outlet for my creativity/writing. I've been thinking of creating another blog in 2010 when I started writing fiction but I wasn't sure then. Last month, Conversations with Self was critiqued by Laura Barnes, a marketing consultant, writer and now a critique partner. Her honest, constructive evaluation of my blog made me decide as I felt it was about time that I create a proper writer's platform, a writing blog. Hence, my new blog was born, http://lenlambert.blogspot.com/

Where do you get your motivation? your ideas?

If you meant writing ideas, it's from experience and imagination. My first novel, The Life of Jarryd Brown, is still on its first draft stage.  I have to go back to it at some point to re-write it. It's a fantasy middle grade novel. At present, I'm working on another novel which is more real to me.  I will talk about it when I'm ready.

Any tips for beginner bloggers?

I'm not an expert on this so I will give you links to the best writer bloggers I know.  Here are the best blogging tips I've read so far from my favourite authors:

Talli Roland - http://talliroland.blogspot.com/2010/07/ten-for-tuesday-of-blogs-and-bloggery.html

Jessica Bell - http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/2011/07/dont-ever-write-anything-online-that.html

and my friend and another awesome author, Theresa Milstein, said the best things about bloggers on her post over at the lovely India Drummond's blog:  http://www.indiadrummond.com/2011/04/21/q-is-for-a-quality-community/

What is your definition of success?

Success, for me, is when one is finally content with what s/he's achieved. Personally, it's probably when my heart says I've finally "arrived".

What have you accomplished so far?

As a writer I'm still learning. I have a short story that's going to be included in Tiny Dancer anthology. I've also submitted a story for a book project, Real Women, Real Stories (formerly called Fascinating Females).  I hope to have many more short stories that will get published. Of course I'd also like to get my books published one day.

I graduated with a bachelor's degree in office administration and worked almost half of my life in an office/corporate environment. Becoming a writer has always been in the back of my mind but I never thought it would ever happen.

What are your future goals?

I'm happy to be a full-time mother and housewife at present. I've always worked but when I left my job to be a full-time mother to my son sometime ago, I never thought how fulfilling it would be to be looking after him each day.  My husband and I have become even closer.  But I'd like to achieve more and grow in my writing career.  That's my long-term goal, to get published one day and hopefully earn a living out of my writing.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Len Lambert

http://lenlambert.blogspot.com/

Thank you for being part of my life!  

Len!

NAMASTE.