Make it happen- for YOU!
When I was little, I always wanted to be a writer. Sure, there were periods where “paleontologist” and “archeologist” and “marine biologist” were thrown in (lots of “ology” was popular in the 90’s, I guess). But deep down, I always knew being a writer was my calling. In 5th grade, we read Island of the Blue Dolphins and then were assigned to write a survival story of our own. I ended up crafting a novella-length story, which was met with much praise and encouragement from both my teacher and peers. It felt so good as a 10-year-old to have validation that what came from my imagination and flowed onto the page was not only cohesive- but it was also good. People enjoyed reading what I wrote! When you’re a kid, especially one full of anxiety and insecurity, if you discover you’re good at something, a thing you’re actually passionate about, it can be such a gift. The whole world opens up to you.
Strengthening my vocabulary and reading voraciously fostered my creativity and helped me gain the confidence to expand my repertoire. I loved writing short stories, but as I grew older, I learned how to write research papers, theses, speeches..on and on. And then one day -out of nowhere- I became…an adult. It was so rude. I graduated high school and suddenly I needed a “grown-up” job. My parents were extremely hardworking, but we were middle class at best. At the time, college wasn’t a priority for me, and more and more, securing a corporate, administrative position seemed like the only way toward an independent, financially stable future. And so it was…my writing became less of a creative talent, and more of a professional skill. Instead of an author, I was now more of a technical writer; crafting emails and letters to professional colleagues in other medical institutions, soliciting recommendations, dossiers, and other correspondence necessary for my position. I worked hard, earned a decent paycheck, and sincerely thought that this would forever be my lot until retirement.
During this time -over a decade and a half- I don’t think I realized how much of me was missing. I was not happy, professionally. I was completely beholden to the mood and whims of my superiors, other people’s energy, and other people’s work ethics (or lack thereof). If I did try to spout anything creative during this period, I was struck with a frustrating and painful writer’s block -something I’d never faced before. I had let my creative spark fall to the wayside. I didn’t understand that I was well within my right to advocate for myself at work and not put up with a toxic work environment. My naïveté and people-pleasing cost me not only my passion for writing and creative aspirations, but also my mental health.
Thankfully, I had an awakening before it was too late. One day, the cliché hit me right in the face (again, rude!): this is not a dress rehearsal, and I no longer had time to waste. I returned to school (discovering my aptitude for online education) and completed my bachelor's degree. I suddenly had a massive appetite to make things again. Circumstances had changed, and I was able to navigate away from an unhappy office environment (don’t get me wrong, I understand what a privilege that is). I found that taking charge of myself and my happiness actually made me feel like writing more (quite the opposite of what Hemmingway would have us believe).
I would say that the key to this new path, for me, has been to stop resisting it. WHY should I be reluctant to follow my dream? When I went back to school, I researched until I found an all-online program which encompassed the skills I wanted to learn- professional and creative writing, under the umbrella of Communications. This way, I would be well-rounded and capable of producing quality work in myriad settings. I started poking around on social media and looking for writers whose visions aligned with mine. I read their works and have even had the pleasure of connecting with many of them. Forming a network of people who parallel where you see yourself heading is a must. I also began coming out of my shell a bit and attending events where I could network in-person with authors, aspiring writers, publishers, etc. Putting in face time is integral to making lasting connections and helping others form a correlation between your work and who you are as a person. A positive association can help propel your project to new heights when the time comes.
I’m still new to this realm, and every day I read or learn something new that helps me stay focused on where I want to go with my writing career. I take (consistent) small steps so that I can be here for the long run. I have finally figured out what makes me happy, and how to weave my passion into everything I need to sustain a livelihood for myself and my family. Is it scary? Absolutely! Taking a risk always is. But who better to trust than yourself?
