I have always loved books. From a young age, I devoured every book I could get my hands on. I sneaked into the “big kids section” when everyone else was scouring the picture books. I’d sink to the floor of the library, hunting for the thickest book I could find.
When I was seven, I told my friend a scary story. She loved it, so I decided to write it down. After watching my words being passed around the classroom, there was no turning back. I had found the rush of storytelling—the thing I would pursue all my life.
After high school, I studied English at Campbell University in North Carolina. As much as I loved Buies Creek (another tiny town), I missed the mountains. Growing up in the valley had conditioned me to be used to seeing mountains in any direction, always surrounded by them, like protectors on the horizon. I didn’t know what I would do with my degree, only that I would return home to East Tennessee.
In addition to books, I had dedicated my life to softball. I began playing tee ball at age four, spent my middle school and high school years traveling the country to play tournaments, and earned a scholarship to play at Campbell.
I sacrificed a lot for the sport, but it never felt like a sacrifice. There was nowhere I would rather be than on the dirt.
When I was seven, I told my friend a scary story. She loved it, so I decided to write it down. After watching my words being passed around the classroom, there was no turning back. I had found the rush of storytelling—the thing I would pursue all my life.
After high school, I studied English at Campbell University in North Carolina. As much as I loved Buies Creek (another tiny town), I missed the mountains. Growing up in the valley had conditioned me to be used to seeing mountains in any direction, always surrounded by them, like protectors on the horizon. I didn’t know what I would do with my degree, only that I would return home to East Tennessee.
In addition to books, I had dedicated my life to softball. I began playing tee ball at age four, spent my middle school and high school years traveling the country to play tournaments, and earned a scholarship to play at Campbell.
I sacrificed a lot for the sport, but it never felt like a sacrifice. There was nowhere I would rather be than on the dirt.
I decided in my senior year to apply to graduate school and pursue an MFA in creative writing. Perhaps I would teach college. I thought that would at least allow me some time to write. But two weeks before the first game of my senior season, I took a hit to the head during a scrimmage. I’d had concussions before, but this one was different. It lasted four months, during which I couldn’t read or write. I lost my short-term memory and language comprehension, and I was in sensory deprivation most of the time, unable to be in public. Because I had done all my reading for classes in preparation of the spring softball season, I was able to graduate—though I did push myself further than I probably should have.
With my plans shattered, I moved in with my parents to finish recovering and plan my next move. I still wasn’t able to work longer than an hour at a time, and I needed complete control of my environment. When the remaining symptoms from the brain injury hit, they were brutal. That eliminated the possibility of traditional work, even a part-time job.
But I've never been one to be idle, and I certainly wasn't about to start. If this was my new normal, even temporarily, I was going to find a way to work toward my goals.
With my plans shattered, I moved in with my parents to finish recovering and plan my next move. I still wasn’t able to work longer than an hour at a time, and I needed complete control of my environment. When the remaining symptoms from the brain injury hit, they were brutal. That eliminated the possibility of traditional work, even a part-time job.
But I've never been one to be idle, and I certainly wasn't about to start. If this was my new normal, even temporarily, I was going to find a way to work toward my goals.
By this time, I’d built a decent Twitter following. I had been writing books and querying agents (unsuccessfully) while in school. And I’d published several stories in magazines and anthologies. The social media account was meant to be a platform for my writing career. But now, I turned to my Twitter followers with a quick question: “Does anybody need editing services?”
I booked a couple of projects. This allowed me to work at my own pace, and stop when I needed to. And it was fun. After all, I was the kid who stopped at a bookstore on the way to a tournament to buy the final Harry Potter installment the day it was released. I remember reading between games, trying not to get dirt on the pages. How could I not love getting paid to read?
I decided that I would give this thing a real go. I wanted to be a freelance editor, to do this full time. It wasn’t all easy, but I never expected it to be. In the end, it happened. I became a full-time editor, consistently booked out, with amazing clients who are doing big things in the traditional and independent publishing realms.
I took something I had seen all my life—books—and decided I wanted to be part of the process. Similarly, I decided I wanted to be closer to the mountains.
I booked a couple of projects. This allowed me to work at my own pace, and stop when I needed to. And it was fun. After all, I was the kid who stopped at a bookstore on the way to a tournament to buy the final Harry Potter installment the day it was released. I remember reading between games, trying not to get dirt on the pages. How could I not love getting paid to read?
I decided that I would give this thing a real go. I wanted to be a freelance editor, to do this full time. It wasn’t all easy, but I never expected it to be. In the end, it happened. I became a full-time editor, consistently booked out, with amazing clients who are doing big things in the traditional and independent publishing realms.
I took something I had seen all my life—books—and decided I wanted to be part of the process. Similarly, I decided I wanted to be closer to the mountains.
I worked hard to learn navigation and survival skills, and I began backpacking the Smokies, hiking into backcountry campsites and sleeping in my hammock under the stars. If you ever have the opportunity to experience nature in this way, I highly recommend taking it. There is nothing quite like a blissful night in the backcountry.
In case you were wondering, I was still writing during this time. And I was still querying literary agents. Then one day, I got an email that froze me solid. An agent wanted to talk to me about my manuscript. And not just any agent—one I respected immensely and was dying to work with. Cut to the good stuff: I signed. And that was thrilling.
Is this the end of the story? Of course not! There is always more to reach for. While working with editing clients, I discovered how much I adore the teaching side of the process. So I started speaking and creating online training programs.
In case you were wondering, I was still writing during this time. And I was still querying literary agents. Then one day, I got an email that froze me solid. An agent wanted to talk to me about my manuscript. And not just any agent—one I respected immensely and was dying to work with. Cut to the good stuff: I signed. And that was thrilling.
Is this the end of the story? Of course not! There is always more to reach for. While working with editing clients, I discovered how much I adore the teaching side of the process. So I started speaking and creating online training programs.
I realized I wanted to help independent authors publish killer books that could compete with the traditional houses. So I launched a publishing services branch, where I provide book design and branding services.
And of course, my writing is always a work in progress. Each time I reach one goal, I set another—or ten! That’s who I am. Always striving. Always working for something bigger. For myself and for my clients. The climb is always a challenge, but the view from the top is worth it.
And of course, my writing is always a work in progress. Each time I reach one goal, I set another—or ten! That’s who I am. Always striving. Always working for something bigger. For myself and for my clients. The climb is always a challenge, but the view from the top is worth it.
Victoria Griffin
Author / Editor / Owner of Blue Pen
Author / Editor / Owner of Blue Pen
To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.
—Ernest Hemingway
