But I’m *Just* Figuring It Out

Something I’ve appreciated over the years is that learning never ends. Regardless, my career in an academic setting is finally at an end (unless I decide to pursue grad school). I’ve invested so much time and money into a college education, but it’s only now as graduation looms that I’m getting a glimpse of where I want to go. Is that right? Idealistically, the Big Revelation should’ve happened when I was a freshman and needed a clear head to pursue classes suiting my specific needs. Too late, time’s up, trod on.

When I was a freshman, I was required to take this sort of “welcome to college” class. One assignment asked us to explain where we planned to be in x-years. Even though I didn’t have specifics, I had vague ideas that had developed over the years. College was my ticket to the world, the step between the branch and the sky. A home, a job, and hopefully a family. That was my goal. Realistic enough, I suppose. Except four years later, I sit here in a denser fog than I ever imagined. What happened to my childhood certainty of being a veterinarian, doing something I loved by working with animals? Okay, so that dream left when I realized I have too much emotional sensitivity.

Before college, I was full of certainty. Now I don’t even know where I’ll be in a couple of weeks, so forget about imagining myself years down the line. At least I’m enjoying the journey, taking life as it comes, and writing. Always writing.

Compulsive Writer

Last night was the Thank God It’s Over party for my NaNoWriMo’s region. This year was probably the most inspirational out of the three I’ve participated in thus far. There’s a liveliness and comraderie here that didn’t click for me with past associations. For the first time probably in my life, I’m with a group of like-minded individuals and I genuinely feel like a member, embraced for all my quirkiness (though in this case, it’s the norm).

The regional leader gave a brief speech last night that reassures me about my goals as a writer. She reminded us that the events of November are a fun activity for any type of person, but added that those who want to pursue the art of writing need to make a full commitment. Be compulsive, write every day regardless of the quality, just make sure thoughts get put on paper (or screen). It’s a typical pep-talk heard around most writing communities (at least the ones I’ve been around). It’s a mantra that drives me as I grow in my skills and realize it’s the only way to achieve success.

Quality is definitely something that’s hindered my progress in the past. For sure, it’s the reason I don’t already have a lot of finished projects. I have NaNo to thank for pulling me out of the quality quicksand. Three years later, I have the confidence to pull ahead and get the words out, worrying about the tweaks and revision once everything’s been mapped out. It’s refreshing to be consciously aware of progress, though I know there’s still miles of work ahead for me. Despite all that, I look forward to off-season meetups with my region as I revise several of the novels waiting in my filing cabinet.

Next year starts my journey into seeking novel publication. It’s something I should’ve started years ago, but life always insists I stay on the opposite shore. Funny how life enjoys doing that. No more! say I. It’s time to get my foot in the door and attempt to survive in the world the only way I know how: through my imagination.

Writer Beware Saves the Day

Just got home, so naturally one of my first tasks is to read any mail for the day. I have one letter, from Cambridge Who’s Who. Curious what it is, I open it up to read:

“You were recently appointed as a biographical candidate…”

Ever the curious one, my first thought is ‘who’s this? and what do they want from me?’ I haven’t achieved anything worthy of wide-spread recognition. Not that I know of, at least. My next step is to ask my mother. Together we conclude it’s most likely spam, but to be sure—curiosity killed the cat, but it only drives me to do more research—I sign online to google the place. Lo and behold! Aside from the company’s website, the first link to appear in the search results is from Writer Beware. That’s enough to tell me it’s time to trash the letter.

Satisfied that writers are out there watching my back, my next step is coming here to spread the word. My routine post will still be out later tonight, so watch the twitterfeed for updates.