Why breathe? Since the age of nine, I liked creating: stories, poems, and smiles. With each word written, bringing smiles to others’ faces enthralled me. I thought, “Did I do that?” before the character, Steve Urkel, existed. I joined essay and oratorical contests. I wrote poems and stories for school newspapers and literary journals with glee.
But, years passed and I lost myself in time’s sauce. While I majored in journalism and earned my Bachelor’s, creative writing fell to the wayside and I favored nonfiction and reality. I favored these subjects wholeheartedly, switching to education and teaching.
Good and bad move. I taught Kindergarten, First grade, and high school English. By teaching children to create, I taught myself by giving students skills to write I still wrote technically.
Technically does not count.
Creative writing counted. Creating nonexistent stories where I saw myself, or people like me, needed life. Yes, I sound presumptuous, as if I alone will change writing and the book world. Why not add to a world I love? I buy, chat about, and review them. Why exclude writing them? It’s simple.
By thirty-eight, I decided to reconnect with a love I cherished since elementary school.
Enough is enough.
I bought a new laptop, joined a writer’s group, and acquainted myself with writers.
So, my writing life began…
With life’s bumps here and there (e.g. family, writer’s block, self-doubt), I continue to create and inspire.
Maybe in my own head…
Maybe in the people I meet…
By forty, my resolve strengthened.
Do I have the right – er, write – stuff?
I better damn believe I do.
