It’s true. I spent hours staring at books and scribbling on paper until I figured out how to read and write for myself … which opened up a whole new world.
It’s true. The bookmobile made a thirty-mile trek (one way) to my house in the summer, where I’d stand in that musty little container of endless possibilities and agonize over my selection. What would I choose to fuel my imagination until the bookmobile came around again?
I spent large chunks of my childhood inventing stories in my head and writing articles for a fictional newspaper. It’s true. I had a stack of unfinished stories under my bed until I went to college. But I majored in something that was a surprise to everyone, even me.
Then somewhere along the line, my parents packed up the house and sold it and those stories probably went the way of the other unwanted belongings–the round file. It’s true.
Dreams and talents somehow got pushed aside in the blur of marriage, frequent moves, three kids in less than six years. I couldn’t even finish a conversation, let alone scratch out a paragraph. My dreams of crafting fiction would have to wait. So I blogged as a way to document the joys and triumphs of raising these wonderful little boys.
But two years ago, the need to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and release these characters that lived in my head wasn’t something I could ignore anymore. It’s true. We creative types are a little ‘out there’. I prefer to call it inspiration.
This journey of wrangling words and energetic boys is tricky sometimes. I have miles to go and I haven’t achieved my dream of being published. Yet. But the encouragement I’ve received from friends and family, the new friends I’ve made in this great big generous community of writers … I know I’m on the right path.
I was so excited when I saw Lisa Jo Baker’s post today. Motherhood is messy and real. We make big mistakes and fall short in so many ways. But behind the yoga pants and spit-up stained t-shirts, we moms have incredible talents that sometimes go untapped in the name of laundry, meals and another round of pre-school story time. It’s true.
So come on over. Link up with this fabulous bunch of writers, getting a jump on Friday and take five minutes to tell us what you think when you hear the word true?
I love that you’re coming back to something that was written on your heart as part of who you’ve always been. My journey with writing is quite different than yours but I know God uses all sorts of people on all sorts of paths to bring glory to His name. God bless your writing! Praying you do big things for Him! 🙂 {visiting from FMF}
Hi, Amy. I love your blog title. Thank you for your encouragement. Yes, I’m trying to use the gifts He blessed me with. I’m looking forward to hearing more about your writing journey. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Oh Heidi… I feel ya! Praying for your stories… for your dreams… for your characters 🙂
Thank you, Vanessa.
I’ll be looking for your name on a cover one day! Blessings on you!!!
Woot! Now that’s what I like to hear. 🙂 Thank you, Brandi. Have a wonderful day.
Oh I love what you wrote about your childhood. I was one of those kids too! I loved the books and was always writing off by myself somewhere. Then exactly as you said here, I stopped when I was in my 20’s. Then I got the blog and I said it is time to be the writer I always dreamed of again. I love that you are doing this! Isn’t it great to revisit childhood dreams?
Yay, Rebekah! We are kindred spirits. Yes, it is great and scary all at the same time. Happy writing and thanks for stopping by.
Heidi, keep dreaming and keep writing. I would love to read your stories and gifts as you pour them out on paper. May God bless you in your dreams as you pursue His heart and the calling He placed on your life!
Thank you, Jennifer. You are also quick with an encouraging word and I’m inspired by your journey, as well.
This is SO so exciting. I’m so glad that you are rediscovering your writing now. Isn’t it amazing how we come back to it? I too have had a circuitous route back to writing fiction (also unpublished as of yet). I would love to hear more about you and your passions and dreams. I pray you find joy in the process of writing, regardless of what happens with it afterwards. Blessings!
Thank you, Nita. I have one manuscript finished (an inspirational romance) and I’ve started another, which I just entered in a big contest with Harlequin. I’ll keep you posted. 😉
Sometime dreams are set aside for the time but they never leave us. Praying you get the opportunity soon!
Thank you, Whitney.