Isabella Published Her First Book

I published my very first book! It’s been a dream that I’ve had for a really long time, ever since I seriously started writing.

After taking a writing class, I started writing short stories, and my attempt at a novel when I was around eleven or so didn’t go anywhere. For a while, I didn’t really do that much until I tried again about two years later, and actually finished a draft! The next book I tried writing finally turned into a project I could keep going on.

Thanks to my awesome illustrator, Maria, I also got the double dream of having an illustrated book. My sister once said that she didn’t like books without pictures, which put in me a desire to have my book illustrated.

How did homeschooling help you achieve your goal?

First of all, I never would have taken the writing class from the Institute for Excellence in Writing that inspired me to write, and actually helped me to learn how to write.

Second, it gave me a lot of spare time to mull over my novel and figure out how to edit, and the literature and especially Creative Writing classes helped me identify and improve areas I struggled with.

However, the thing Seton did most for me was provide Catholic Harbor, which probably had the greatest impact on the book. That place was so awesome, with so many great authors, that I was inspired to try even harder to publish.

Also, my friends on there got me past some awful writer’s block and encouraged me through the long process of editing and the crisis of wondering if my work was good enough, as well as finding out that self-publishing existed. I owe so much to them, and the book does too.

Also, if I hadn’t even joined Catholic Harbor, I never would have met my illustrator, Maria, who not only helped with the book but also illustrated it and inspired me to learn to draw!

And finally, I found out about Seton Writers’ Club through Catholic Harbor, where I got some excellent advice and encouragement for my book.

What are your interests?

I love writing a lot. That’s been my number one interest for a long time, which also leads to writing new books. Recently, thanks also to the influence of Catholic Harbor, I got into drawing, and now I spend a lot of time doing it, which is another thing I greatly enjoy.

I’m very interested in trying to write a comic. Playing the piano comes in third. Acting the part of the therapist, learning about the different temperaments and the different systems for assessing temperaments, playing volleyball with my siblings, going on walks, and learning more about my craft are also things I love doing.

What are you inspired to do with your life?

At this point, I’m really not sure. I’m planning to go try to discern my vocation with some Benedictine nuns when I’m old enough, and I’ll see where writing plays into all of that. I would like to write well and bring a bit of hope and a fresh perspective to the world.

What are your favorite subjects and why?

Literature and Composition is one of my favorites. I very much enjoy reading and analyzing books, though taking tests isn’t my favorite.

Creative Writing has been my number one course. It taught me so much and opened up several new genres to me, as well as giving me an easier class that I could enjoy. U.S. History with the Forge of Freedom textbooks is also my favorite.

I love learning about American history and the cultures of previous times, as well as all the random facts and details in those books.

The photo was taken at my house, in front of the fireplace and the picture of God the Father.