Once a Writer, Always a Writer: Fact or Fiction
In my case, that is a fact and a big part of my life. While my memory is not perfect, I know that I have been writing stories for most of my life. I recall writing short tales when I was young. I have no record of those writings anymore. That is probably a good thing. I was no Shakespeare at that age.
My interest in writing came from my love of reading. In my younger days, I remember reading several Tom Swift novels. I have always loved science fiction. My favorite author was always Isaac Asimov. Later on, I was hooked on the books by James Clavell (not sci-fi, for clarity). That takes some courage as they were LONG books. His writing was impeccable, so it was worth the effort.
Through my teen years, I recall writing several short stories. As I mentioned in an earlier post, in my high school senior year, I turned to poetry. My passion for that form waned after I graduated and went to college. Perhaps I was growing up.
After graduating from college, my writing became nonfiction, but not as books. Instead I wrote business plans, capital spending proposals, and even business acquisition plans. If you are stickler for the term nonfiction, I must admit there was a bit of wishful thinking in many of those plans. After all, you have to make the big boss want to sign off, right?
At the medical device company, I worked with their corporate attorney to analyze whether to increase our factory size, or move everything to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. In those days, there were huge tax incentives to put employees in Puerto Rico. However, our “goal” was to keep expanding the factory in Tijuana, but we had to have a feasibility study that supported our intent. Fortunately (perhaps quotation marks should be used), the analysis showed Mexico was the better option. Whew!
When Honeywell wiped out the management team (me included) of the personal protective equipment company they had acquired, writing novels became my life (along with trying to find another job). The job search took a couple years due to my age (mid-50s at that point). But of course, there is no age bias in job placement. Ha ha ha!!!
Now that I am out of the rat race, my mind is free to write and to wander. Wandering seems to eat up too much time. Still, I write. With so many characters screaming to have their stories told, who am I to argue? When you think about it, being a writer is the most awesome job ever. Perhaps not the highest paid, but still awesome. Enjoy the day, and do not forget to write something, maybe even just a blog post.
I imagine that a lot of writers were avid readers as children. I know that I was.
Karen, I agree. I imagine all writers got the bug from reading.
I look forward to the day when I don’t have to work a full-time and part-time job and can just write. Until then, I fit it in where I can (if I can). I, too, wrote a short story when I was when I was young, but that will never see the light of day. 😉 Great post, Karl!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Yvette, it is very hard to write when working full-time. I do not know how other people can handle that. As an accountant, I could work at my own pace, which was usually hyper speed. That gave me more time. As a teacher, class times are set for the students. Keep writing when you can. That all any of us can do. We all have other responsibilities to mix into our lives. You are an amazing author.
Thank you, Karl! 🙂
I enjoy reading about your writing journey, Karl. I’ve always been an avid reader, partly because we didn’t have television in Germany and Italy. I read books well above my grade level, which stretched my vocabulary and my mind. I also loved Asimov, among other SciFi authors. I didn’t read James Clavell books, but loved Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy (talk about long novels!). Being a writer has given me a greater appreciation of the many books I’ve read.
Blessings!
Patty
Patty, you have had an eventful life! I lived in France and Germany between the ages of 0 and 4. Frankly, I do not recall any of that. I do not think I blocked that. I was just too young. Reading has always been a big part of my life too. With my family situation, it was better to stay in my room and read. I could escape whatever was happening there. Those early experiences definitely led me onto the path we both follow today.
Hi, Karl,
I agree. Becoming a writer is the best career, I‘ve ever had. I‘m glad you love your new career. Enjoy it.
Shalom aleichem
Pat, I am lucky to have had a long and successful business career. That enables me to exercise my brain and create stories for others to discover. As you know, it is not easy, but the rewards are worth it. All the best.
Hi Karl, reading about your background reminds me of how many intelligent, hard working and well educated people have gone months to years without paychecks due to being laid off. This puts a lot of stress on families, as the bill keep on comin’ no matter what! Having said that, you’re an excellent writer. It seems to me, in reading your posts, that any kind of writing is a good fit for you. : )
Best wishes,
Donna M. Atwood
D M Atwood
https://www.dmatwood.com
That is very kind, Donna. I had a few layoffs in my day. It was always a difficult time for me. The financial stuff was okay, but the anxiety of not working was hard to take. At times, I would feel like a failure at life. Now, I know those were just momentary rest breaks. I am at peace with everything in my life now. I hope.
According to your definition of a writer, then I have been a writer since grade school. I’ve written many papers and even some for my kids. When I wasn’t writing, I was reading or daydreaming. Isaac Asimov was also my favorite science fiction author in my teen years.
Susanne, I believe any kind of writing is writing, with the possible exceptions of forging your parent’s signature on a report card, or signing a check. Yes, you and I have been writing for a long time. We just write books now. An author is one who writes books and short stories. But my definitions don’t really count for much.