"Love what you do and do what you love. Don't listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the center of your life." -- Ray Bradbury
At the heart of every person who accomplishes a goal is the imagination to re-envision their life, and the persistence to realize it. At the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, we have the good fortune to play a small part in these stories of transformation. Whether pursuing a degree, advancing your career, learning a new language, improving a skill or expanding your view on the world, we see dreams realized every day through continuing education.
Recently, we had the privilege of speaking with one of our students who, through imagination and persistence, published her first novel. Holli Fawcett Clayton, author of “Somewhere Above It All” and past participant in our Community Learning & Engagement creative writing course "The Craft of Fiction Writing," shared some thoughts on pursuing her passion and the importance of continuing education throughout life.
How did you become interested in writing?
I have always loved to write. It’s my creative outlet–a way to escape reality and create my own world and control what happens there. For me, putting words together on paper is therapeutic.
When and why did you decide you wanted to write a novel?
I used to practice law, and the only thing I ever liked about being a lawyer was the writing. Of course, legal writing is very different from writing fiction, so the idea of writing a novel was daunting, but I knew early on in my legal career that I wanted to try and write a book someday.
Did you have any hesitations about writing your first novel?
Absolutely. My actual “first novel” is still stuck in my computer and will likely never see the light of day. It was more cathartic than anything and was good practice for the manuscripts that followed. Somewhere Above It All is the third manuscript I’ve completed but the first to be published.
Can you tell us a little about “Somewhere Above It All”? No spoilers!
It’s the story of a young widow who loses her husband to opioid addiction, then journeys to Tanzania to attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in search of a new beginning. Along the way, she discovers the power of human connection and its ability to heal a grieving heart.
Did “The Craft of Fiction Writing” course help you in writing “Somewhere Above It All?”
Of course. Everything I learned in the course (about the craft and the different paths to publication) was extremely helpful to me as I wrote the book and sought to have it published.
What was your favorite part of “The Craft of Fiction Writing” course? The content? Your instructor, Cassandra Clarke? Classmates? Something else?
I had an excellent and very encouraging instructor who gave me confidence in my work. I also had some wonderful classmates who were very good at critiquing my writing in a helpful way. It was fun to meet other aspiring writers who were traveling along the same road, many of them also hoping to be published in the future.
What motivated the career change from attorney to writer?
As I said earlier, the only thing I ever liked about being a lawyer was the writing. I have been blessed with the opportunity to write full-time and have really enjoyed it, so after many years at home with kids, I’ve decided to write (and pursue my MSW!) instead of returning to the practice of law.
You are also pursuing your Masters in Social Work. That, plus a law degree and writing classes--education obviously has played a large role in your life. Why is continuing your education important to you?
I want the second half of my life to be filled with purpose, and learning gives me purpose. It feels really good to take on something new and exciting and see where it leads. I have no idea where my MSW will take me once I complete the program, but I’m excited to find out!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to write their own novel or pursue another goal/career change?
It’s never too late, and never give up. There are so many times I wanted to quit, so many days that I thought I would never get published. But, I never gave up, and I’m so glad I didn’t! Keep going!
Is there anything else you would like to share with our community of learners?
Take a course at the Glasscock School! You won’t regret it!
Thank you, Holli, and congratulations on publishing your first novel! After speaking with Holli, we reached out to her "The Craft of Fiction Writing" instructor, Cassandra Rose Clarke, M.A., who had this to share:
"Holli is a fantastic writer, and I'm so excited to hear that "Somewhere Above It All" has found its place in the world!"
If you are interested in developing as a writer, The Glasscock School’s Community Learning & Engagement program regularly offers creative writing courses, including Introduction to Creative Writing, starting February 20, 2023, and Memoir Writing Workshop, starting April 13, 2023.