Tuesday, April 9, 2013

My Passion Coming to Fruition


I love to write. It is my passion. Like other parts of me, this love lay dormant for many years. I had dreamed about traveling the world and writing about my escapades. I wanted my office to be a simple corner desk at the Washington Post. As a child I loved to create stories about people and places of interest. I was a child who, at age eleven, announced she was going to join the Peace Corps to help people and write about the experience. Surely it would be a Pulitzer Prize worthy endeavor. In college my professors told me I was talented and should pursue a career in journalism. Their words of encouragement will not be forgotten.

I didn't join the Peace Corps. I fell in love. I had my heart broken. I healed. I got married. I had kids. I put my career on hold and the only writing I did for many years was journaling.

So here I am. Starting over in so many ways. One of the things I've come to realize is that it's never too late. I'm in my 40's, I'm not dead. Why not? So here I go. It started with this blog. In writing my little daily thoughts and experiences whether it be my passion for triathlon, a life lesson, a fear, or just a day in the life, I'm gaining power over my fear. I'm putting myself out there, making contacts and landing writing jobs. I'm allowing myself to be vulnerable. That's not an easy thing for me. However I recognize that in vulnerability comes strength. 


When I'm vulnerable I'm living...

I am taking chances. I have opened a door to an entirely different future. A future only I can create.  Good stuff!

The journaling I engaged in throughout the last 20 years is what I'm using as a basis for the book I am writing. I'm finally looking fear in the face and putting chapters together. As a writer I have the ability to live in a fantasy world. Creativity at work. Writing a piece of fiction (loosely based upon real events) is proving to be a blast. The characters come to life beneath my fingertips and the story plays out in my head and evolves on paper. My passion is slowly coming to fruition. And as it is coming a little later than I had planned, it will be so much sweeter.

My blog has been my baby. My jumping off point. Ultimately it has been therapeutic for me. It has allowed me to be honest and straightforward about where I am in life. I'm putting my heart into my posts, and letting it all out. Like it or not, it's me. I hope you like it...

21 comments:

  1. Rest assured Michelle, you're definitely not dead.

    Sometimes one door closes & the correct door opens. Step inside!
    Cheers, ic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha Ha! I didn't think so! So true. While it stung, the comment I mentioned helped toughen me up a bit. I'm certainly not going to please everyone.

      Delete
  2. Bravo to you! I'm early 40's. I didn't take the same path as you, but similar in some ways. I started out as a journalist but was getting paid a dollar less than the dishwasher at the restaurant I was working for. Switched to sales, did okay, but bombed when many heavier personal factors entered all at once. I then became my grandma's live-in caretaker. After a bunch of highs and lows, finally met a guy I wanted to marry in my late 30s.

    Let it all out. It's your experience, and thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Charlene! It takes what it takes, right? :)

      Delete
  3. I once followed the money instead of writing. Writers seem to manage to find their way back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes it's the detours we take in life that provide an interesting route back to the right path. :)

      Delete
  4. Michelle, you're doing a great job here. Honing your writing skills and expressing your deepest self at the same time. Good luck with the book!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are very talented and inspiring. As a mom in her 40's as well, I agree we are not dead. In fact, in some ways, we're just now stepping into who we were meant to be! I will be here cheering for you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Penny, thank you girl! I completely agree The comment made and the wonderful insight I've received have been inspirational. Stay tuned :)

      Delete
  6. Good for you, Michelle, for doing what makes you happy. Blogging is such a great way to nurture your creative spirit and connect with other writers. Having all that life's experience gives your writing a rich perspective.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris, so true. Connecting with others and the feedback I receive from my esteemed colleagues have been wonderful. Much growth in the last couple of days especially. Thank you!

      Delete
  7. Keep doing what you love to do no matter what! You are an awesome writer! When we love what we do, it's not really work! :)

    Jennifer at
    http://simplyathomemom.com/

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this post Michelle! In so many ways I am just like you... My world began and ended with words when i was young.. I used to write away tonnes and tonnes of poems and short stories.. Then, one day I stopped. My heart broke that day and I was unable to heal for a long time.. I tried to write but most of the time, the white screen of the computer looked back at me defiantly and mocked me in a zillion ways.. but today, I can say that I am healed with the help of the words.. They never abandoned me even when people who I hold dear left me in life's different points. so, I would say, it is never too late. To flourish and thrive in words.. They will be always be there for you... God Bless!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you! We should chat sometime...always love to talk to a friend with a similar background to mine :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am glad you returned to writing, that trip was described in vivid detail. Who said you are dead in your 40s? It's turning out to be the most productive years of my life. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It takes courage to embrace doing what you love, especially when we are constantly being told money=happiness. Hats off to you for being brave enough to follow your passion!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can wholeheartedly tell you, money does NOT equate happiness!! Thanks Lana!

      Delete
  12. Michelle, it is never too late to start anew! (I’m actually older than you and I’m trying in some ways to start anew myself, especially with my writing even though I have no encouragement at home for writing or blogging, still I do it). Yes, with vulnerability comes strength, and I support taking chances. Seems to me you are at a great point in your life, and your writing may even be better now than it would have been before. Btw, love that pic of the dog! :)

    ReplyDelete