Three years ago, I finished my degree. And I won’t bore you with the details of how challenging it was to complete a degree while working full time, but soon after I found myself struggling with my time. What would I do in the evenings, if not in class or working on assignments? I’m restless. I’m not the kind of person who can enjoy extended downtime. Downtime is just an opportunity for anxiety and doubt to find me, and creative outlets are my way of blocking them out.
This post is for all of my fellow writers. I want to share what started me on my journey, and what keeps me going, and if you feel like sharing I’d love to hear what drives you as well.
Did I always know I wanted to be a writer? Absolutely not. I wasn’t that child who wrote short stories or a teenager who wrote novellas or screenplays. My writing was confined to a cheap, green journal where I composed terrible poetry, personal essays, and random musings. Words that were meant for me alone, never to be shared.
And then, as I worked on my degree (Business), I realized that English courses were interesting and seemed to be an easy way to keep my GPA up. I had no issues cranking out long essays, reading the requisite books, and learning about the beauty of the written word.
Suddenly, I knew I had my creative outlet. It came during a course dedicated to creative short fiction, and I wrote a short story about a character in my head. A character that was part of a much bigger story that I’d fantasized about for years but never once transcribed.
And I knew. I knew it was something I had to explore further. I found a community (Alexandra Writer’s Centre Society) where I could dip my toe in and test the waters. There, I continued to learn and fulfill my need for growth and expression. But I ended up finding so much more. Through AWCS, I found friends – my critique group – and a community that’s supportive and challenging. Because of that, I was able to write a completed first novel, a goal I never imagined I would meet. And it only inspires me to do more.
Becoming a writer has been an incredible transformation, and it’s included so many ‘firsts’. If you know me, my life’s goal is to constantly try or experience new things. New travel destinations, new foods, new hobbies, and activities. Some of the best moments in my life have come from the unknown, from deliberately pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. Writing has been a part of that in the best way. There’s really nothing quite like putting yourself out there, your work, your voice, your creativity – laid bare for anyone to see and judge. And at times that is terrifying. I think about work I’ve shared and cringe, sometimes. I still have so much room to grow as a writer. I will get better. In the meantime, people get to see what I have to offer, raw and unrefined as it is. I share it now, hoping that one day I can look back on it and not cringe, instead looking at the incredible growth that’s cultivated from it.
The last year has brought me many wonderful firsts. My first short story publication. My first ‘finished’ novel (I say ‘finished’ because it’s a complete story that’s gone through multiple revisions. I know it will continue to refine and evolve throughout the query process, as necessary). In December I participated in my first #pitmad as I forayed into Twitter for the first time in my life, where I found a wonderful online writing community. And three days ago I submitted to Author Mentor Match in hopes to be matched with one of the wonderful, inspiring authors.
So, why do I write? Simply because it fulfils me in so many ways.
P.S. I’d love to hear everyone’s stories of what set them on this path if you’re willing to share in the comments below.