I have a confession. I’m 35 and I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. I had so many dreams when I was a child – school teacher, author, veternarian, Olympic gymnast, zoo keeper, housewife… and the list goes on. I did get to be a zoo keeper for about a year and a half. It was fun; kind of like being a camp counselor though.
I’ve really enjoyed working with authors and writing my blog. I loved my time as marketing manager of a small publisher. And though I had elementary school thoughts of writing children’s books, it was never a serious career path consideration. Why? Because I don’t think I can write.
Growing up, writing was always my weakest skill. I was a straight A student through high school (I graduated 3rd in my class). However, I hated having to write because I knew I couldn’t do it right. My high school English classes almost made me hate reading because I knew an essay would follow. Heart of Darkness will ever be my most despised novel. My papers would be covered in red.
My first C in a class was for English 101 Honors in college. I was not the only one who struggled with the class. I remember one assignment when papers were handed back we all were told we wrote on the wrong topic. We all left that lecture totally confused.
It wasn’t until my Physiology course that I thought I might have a hint of writing talent. I wasn’t suppose to talk Physiology. I did all I could to stay away from any course involving human. I wanted to be an animal behaviorist. But because of a required class not being offered my last semester of school, I had to fill 1 biology course. It was either Physiology or histology. Seeing how I earned my second C in a course taught by the histology professor, I went with Physiology. It turned out that the college decided that each major should have a writing intensive course. And don’t you know it, Physiology became that course. Our lab reports were written as journal articles. To say the least, I was terrified.
However, for the first time ever, my writing was praised. Actually the praise was almost embarrassing. I decided I could do technical writing and started to think about graduate school.
Life decided to do its own thing and now I’m here. I’m amazed that there are people who read my blog. I’m stunned every time I submit a post to Athens Patch and it quickly approved by the editor with little or no changes. I’m shocked when people ask me to contribute to their blogs or other writing projects. I still hear all the negative comments. But after much encouragement, I’m attempting my first book. While working on it, I was hit with “I feel cheated”.
If I had received more encouragement, not been as sensitive or less risk adverse would I have chosen a different career path? I don’t know if I would have been an English major – I don’t care to do the critical analysis. Perhaps, though, I would have chosen a marketing or PR career path. It would definitely had been easier to change paths when I was in my 20s then it is now in my 30s.
So what is the point of this post? It wasn’t merely to vent. If you have always wanted to write a story – do it. If you have always wanted to review books – do it. If you wanted to work with authors – do it. There are so many options and opportunities available these days, you just have to embrace it. I’m willing to try… Are you?
photo credit: acordova via photo pin cc
- Are you writing on par for your intended audience? (keystrokesandwordcounts.wordpress.com)
- #125. Writing! The Younger Years. (notsoniceadvice.com)
- How writing saved my life 20 years ago. (thebleedinginkwell.com)
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I love this post! Sometimes I feel the same way. I actually got my library degree and then discovered that public libraries don't really want people with degrees because they would have to pay them more. I've worked in academic libraries before and public was much more fun.
I wonder when the girls are both in school, what am I going to do for work? It will have been a long time. In that sense it would be the perfect time to take on a new path. Like you, I am sensitive to the opinions of others and averse to trying new things for fear of failure. Thank you for the encouragement!
Great post Donna!! I was a horrible English student all through school (at least according to my teachers.) Math was always my strong subject and early on I told myself that I just couldn't write – I went on to study accounting and yet – here I am. It took me 40 years to figure it out. It's never too late to take a new path.
Great post! As someone who has done a whole lot of different jobs you are spot on with your last paragraph. If you want to do something – do it! :)
Donna! I feel you. I wish I had been encouraged to pursue writing fiction when I was in college, but I was told you can't earn a decent living doing that. Well, here I am many years later doing just that. Does it pay the bills, not yet, but what if I'd started down this path in college? I'm sure it would be paying the bills by now! Got for it girl!
I guess I hit a chord with many people. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. And definitely thank you for the encouragement.
I can really relate to your early trials with the English language. I was a steady C student through high school in regards to English. I love to read and always will but I did struggle with the assigned reading and the threat of having to do a summary or critique.
I attempted to get started in writing when I was 30 and let too many things distract and distress me.
Years later, when I finally settled down to it I was encouraged by some well meaning people into getting involved in groups and forums. Now, I'm certain these are good if you can find a supportive peer group. I didn't so much have that and I'm glad to hear you had support from your Physiology peers.
Had I not already finished my first novel I think that I could have been dragged down to the depth of despair once more. The people I encountered were full of redlining and rewriting and not too encouraging.
Since I'm 60 now and I started back into writing in earnest at 55 I've decided that I need to surround myself with the people who are encouraging me.
I can relate to how you feel about getting started earlier but to me in a relative sense you really are getting an early start. As long as you stick with it now.
There will always be negative comments. If there is something you can take from them to improve then do so. Otherwise it is best to let the wind carry them away.
Remember, hot air rises!
I am always willing to try, anything, even at this age. I learned long ago that my thirst for knowledge is one factor that keeps me young and my mind active. I'm a jack of all trades, whenever I think of doing something, I go all the way studying the methods to go about it. I had, in my senior high school, thought of being a journalist, but my parents opposed the idea. Now, when I watch Christiane Amanpour, I am reminded of that long ago dream, and I wonder.