Ever since middle school, I’ve wanted to be a writer.
In seventh grade, I wrote a story for Mrs. Dahlen, my language arts teacher (although I think we just called them English teachers back then), which she read and returned with a note on top written in red pen that said, “This is really good. Did you write it?”
Even at the naïve age of 12 (and I was probably naïve well into my teens…and beyond?), I was both thrilled (she liked it!) and insulted (of course I wrote it! WTH?).
So I kept writing.
I guess you could say that I wrote to prove something.
Gauntlet thrown.
Challenge accepted.
It was always fun for me to throw sentences together, tweak them to make them sound better and come together in a meaningful way, turn them into a story, and I always understood grammar and spelling.
I would read a lot of writing craft books, and, of course, I read a lot.
How do published authors arrange their sentences?
How do authors make their ideas interesting and bring them to life?
I wrote more stories, did writing exercises such as copying various authors’ styles while trying to find my own style and my voice.
That didn’t happen for a while.
In fact, it’s still a work in progress.
But in a battle between speaking my thoughts versus writing them, speaking was never going to win with me.
I’m tongue-tied and uncomfortable speaking in front of people.
I always think of good things to say after the conversation is over, when it doesn’t matter anymore.
But give me a blank page and I’ll fill it.
Writing has given me confidence, knowing that I have a voice.
Plus, knowing I can write is my fun little party trick, or a coping mechanism.
When words fail me at parties, I know that even though I may look uncomfortable standing there against the wall, I can probably write better than most of the people there.
Just kidding.
I don’t do that.
That would be weird…and wouldn’t even help me be less uncomfortable. (I bet you want to invite me to all your holiday parties now because I sound like such a great guest. Haha.)
Have I proven myself to my 7th grade language arts teacher?
No.
I’m not published.
But I’ve proven myself to myself.
Did I write that?
Darn right I did. (BTW: Keep your rough drafts as proof.)
How has writing—or whatever activity you love—changed you?
Until next time,
~ Gail
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