Reese Taylor
From there to here:
My life as a writer began when I was a child riding my bicycle. I rode a lot when I was a kid. I’d leave on a Saturday morning and come back when I got hungry. I was out in the world, limited as it was to a kid, but I was free and observant and I could have my full range of feelings without censure.
As a teenager I collected poetry and short stories. I still have these in a page- size envelope. Around this same time I wrote in my own notebooks as a way to soothe myself. There is a freedom in writing that is exposing and secretive at the same time. My writing wound up in hundreds of journals that are packed into boxes and stuck in the bottoms of closets. I tried to re-read some of those things a few years ago but it just made me feel so darned sad that I put them away and started writing fresh, with all of the feelings and ideas that were currently present. That body of work is now my book: “SPARE.”
When I said that I wanted to publish “SPARE,” my editor explained to me that the chances of a publisher picking up my book were slim to non-existent. So I decided to do it myself. That decision took me into the art and production process. I worked with a great designer and collaboratively we came up with the book that you either are now, or hopefully will be soon, holding in your hands. I realized how particular I could be during this process. The printers had to print the book multiple times to get the quality to an acceptable level. I knew that I wanted to receive the book and be elated and because of my perseverance that happened.
Through the creation of “SPARE” I now have my own publishing company, “be bold books.” This company is in the process of establishing itself through the publicity and distribution process as well as marketing and website promotion. I am also working on my next book, “PRESENCE.” I am almost finished with the writing. All of these creations are extremely exciting and are opening a new phase in my life. I’ve done many things for pleasure and to earn money in my life so far and I must say that the two that feel the most authentic are being a mom to my (now adult) daughter and writing. I feel completely myself when I am in either one of these roles.
I have four college degrees and in addition I have completed too many trainings to name. I have participated fully in life in ways that include everything from gardening to the performing arts. Everything I have done has fed into the richness of my life. I have very few regrets, but I have a huge hunger for more experiences. My current favorite experience is to travel to foreign countries by myself with a notebook and a pen always ready. This part of my life is liberating and creative in a new way every single day. To say that life is good is a colloquial statement that evokes a certain knowing smile. For me, that phrase is truly an understatement for the next part of my writing life is yet to come.
