Writing

"Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It's about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy." (Stephen King, On Writing)


Back in November, I wrote an essay about failure (re: here) I threw caution to the wind, sent it off to a contact at a website and she published it. One of my nearest and dearest friends, the same friend I had been lamenting to regarding the lack of creativity in my life and my deep and dire need to start 'doing what I love, ' (whatever that was), sent me a text after reading the article. And the text went something like this: "WTF? I didn't know you could write! Holy sh*t girl, you need to be writing!" Clearly, I'm paraphrasing. She'll vouch though.

About a month ago, I was assisting a friend with a photoshoot. Mind you, this girl is crazy talented. Naturally good behind a camera, and so patient with all my brain-picking and question-asking. During post photoshoot beers (and post God-awful downpour) she looks at me and says something like this: "You need to be writing." Again: paraphrasing.

Two weeks later, I'm waiting for a plane to California. An older lady and I are splitting a table, and against my introversion instinct, we're chatting about life. And the conversation went like this:

Her: So what do you do?
Me: I'm in investments.
Her: ...(silence).... Hmph.
Me: Not what you thought, huh?
Her: I woulda' pegged you for a writer.
Me: I've heard that before... What about you?
Her: I'm a retired English professor.

This time, I'm not paraphrasing. That conversation is etched into my brain.

So, this post isn't about affirmations regarding me writing or what I write or when I should write or any of that. I guess it's a way of throwing it out into the universe that I get it.

I get it.

Now what?