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| Photo credit: JohnONolan on Flickr |
I’ve often read about authors who had never dreamt about anything else, who can’t remember ever wanting to be anything else. But that’s not me. Not quite.
In elementary school, I had all sorts of occupational dreams. I wanted to be a doctor until I realized I’m squeamish after all, I dreamt of being a movie star until I learned the meaning of stage fright, and I told my friends and family that I wanted to be a missionary until my interest drifted elsewhere.
I had several elementary school teachers tell me I should be a writer, but the idea didn’t really resonate with me until I was neck-deep in the first draft of my first book. But by then, it wasn’t really a question, it wasn’t hey, maybe I should be a writer, it was more of a realization that I loved what I was doing and I didn’t want to stop.
So I didn’t stop. And I won’t.
What about you? When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Twitter-sized bites:
Have you always wanted to be a writer? Join the discussion on @Ava_Jae's blog. (Click to tweet)
When did you know you wanted to be a writer? Join the discussion on @Ava_Jae's blog. (Click to tweet)
In elementary school, I was 100% certain I wanted to be a writer (and maybe a paleontologist or archaeologist or singer). Writing as a career goal lasted up through the first year of college, when I decided it would be too lonely (pre-social media days) and too financially insecure.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't until years later when I was firmly established at my day job and after I had kids that I suddenly got the urge to write again. Out popped my first novel-length manuscript. Initially, I thought it might be a one-time thing, but then came the next story, and that's when I was certain (again) that I wanted to be a writer.
I'm one of those lifetime writers, but even though I've been writing "books" since I was 5 (!), it wasn't until I was 10 that someone first suggested I could be a writer. It was a "light bulb" moment - I was certain that it was what I had to do with my life! But it still took me 10 years to actually write a novel. :P
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in first grade and glad the school system finally admitted I was able to read, I loved our first reading book, 'My Little Red Story Book' so much that I made my own copy secretly at home and agonized over defying the copyright notice. I was already making up stories though rarely writing them down since I didn't want to open them up to universal criticism. Later in my childhood when I read Little Women, I decided I'd be a writer like Jo. I identified more with Beth as both of us were shy and loved the piano, but I didn't want to die young.
ReplyDeleteNissa
http://linalamont.blogspot.com
I love that! It's amazing how the average writer life and expectations have changed over the last decade. Thanks so much for sharing, Laura!
ReplyDeleteI think the first book tends to be the hardest (and for many writers, the longest to complete). It's the biggest mental hurdle. Once you know you can finish a book, it tends to be a little easier, because you know you've already done it once. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience!
Interesting! I like the idea of identifying with a character so much--it really speaks to how books can change lives. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know...my friends and family have said that I was born a writer with my love of books and words and everything. This year I really found truth in my writing (mainly about myself) that I couldn't get any other way. I don't know when I decided I wanted to get published. I have always been a writer and I always will be a writer. But I am also going to pursue other professions as well in addition to my writing.
ReplyDeleteI think I really haven't decided whether I want to be a writer or not. Professionally, anyway. I write all the time and I love it but getting published doesn't seem like it would be as rewarding as just working on it.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to be a writer ever since I wrote my first novella, which was around the age of ten. But, for me, writing is a part-time thing, and I don't aim to ever have it as a full-time job.
ReplyDeleteI haven't always wanted to be a writer but I've always written, if that makes any sense. It wasnt until my friend suggested I start doing it on a computer that the back button made me realise I could surpass a 1st draft and write something mistake free... Then the possibilities were endless and being a writer, occupation wise, began to interest me.
ReplyDeleteTrue story.
I think it's interesting that sometimes people recognize a potential in us long before we recognize it ourselves. And I also think it's totally fair for you to pursue more than just writing—many writers have a day job as well as their writing job. Having another job doesn't make you any less of a writer. :)
ReplyDeletePublishing isn't for everyone, but I think you can still definitely be a writer even if you don't publish. Some people just enjoy writing for themselves, and that's totally fine.
ReplyDeleteThat's totally fair. Not every writer aims for it to be a full-time occupation. :)
ReplyDeleteMakes sense to me! Also, I think it's pretty great that technology is really what opened that possibility for you. :)
ReplyDeleteI always knew. The creative writing exercise were the only thing I enjoyed doing at school. I took a career test on a BBC computer and the top result was author. I loved reading. It was natural.
ReplyDeleteHow great! It definitely sounds like the answer came very naturally to you. :) Thanks for sharing!
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