This is how I know I'm a writer
I love to read, and I have a real love for books. The earliest memory I have of loving a book is first grade, when I fell in love with Harriet the Spy. I loved how she kept a journal and took notes as she observed the world and the people around her.
And I remember how proud I felt when I wrote my first book that year in school-- it was "bound" and covered in rose-colored contact paper and told a story of a panda who was happily surprised to have a baby (seriously).
In junior high, my dad and little brother played hockey and we were obsessed with The Mighty Ducks. I wrote my first (unfinished) novel about a girl who played hockey. I think I sensed, even at a young age, that I was designed for this, created to string words together in one way or another -- be it a novel, a thank you note, a research paper, or a poem for my kids. Like others, I'm realizing, that it has always helped me process my thoughts and feelings to write them out.
The more I read books, watch movies, and observe stories unfolding around me in real life, the more I feel the tug to write. To write blog posts, articles, stories, memoirs, even just to narrate my own life in my head (I really do that, but only after I read a novel whose voice I really connect with or like).
That's how I know I'm a writer; because I can't read or watch or observe without thinking about writing. I think about all those who have gone before me as writers and what that looked like for them, whether it was ink on parchment or fingers on keys, I wonder how they constructed such a plot (and thought of such a twist!), or whether they took lots of notes while they traveled, or what inspired their story.
I read a lot in the cracks of the day, early in the morning, and late at night. And I can't read without longing to write.
Of course, I'm a mom in the trenches, too. I've got mouths to feed, lessons to teach, playdates, and activities to drive to, but underneath it all, I think I really am a writer.
I feel a little brave and audacious saying that out loud here on the internet: {I'm a writer.} I feel like I'm daring myself to believe it and to walk forward in that truth.
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Have you heard of MOOCs? MOOC stands for massive open online course and the classes are taught by real professors through real universities. My husband has been taking free classes on line for "fun" for a couple of years now. His usually have to do with programming or statistics or something nerdy like that. :)
I'm starting one this weekend called How Writers Write Fiction through the Writing University, which is part of The University of Iowa.
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Books to inspire me to be more brave that I'm reading (or will be soon):
A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live by Emily P. Freeman
The War of Art: Break Through Your Blocks and Win Your Creative Battles by Steven Pressman
Glitter in the Blood: A Poet's Manifesto for Better, Braver Writing by Mindy Nettifee
You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One) by Jeff Goins
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Tomorrow starts October, and I'm hoping to join in with the other 31 dayers to (casually) process this a bit more. Not writing itself per se, but well, you'll see... :)
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