I’m proud to say, “I am a writer.”

I subscribe to Joe Bunting’s The Write Practice. He sends me an email everyday on some facet of writing. Today’s was particularly relevant to me since he encouraged his readers to:

Be brave. Be bold. Claim your title. Say it with me: ˜I am a writer.’

That’s what I did yesterday while Stewart at the Apple store was helping me set up my new iPhone. When Stewart asked what I did, without hesitation I told him, I am a writer. And he wanted to know immediately what I write.

Lamott

It turns out that I’m still in my poetry practice phase, so I told him I’ve been getting back on my writing feet by writing two or three poems a day using prompts I get online. However, I also shared that I have a published memoir out, Leaving the Hall Light On, and I’m working on a novel. At that point I gave him my author business card.

With that he shared with me that he has a degree in creative writing from a local university. And you guessed it. We were off and running. Within our twenty-thirty minute conversation this young man and I became new best friends.

He told me he’s doing more photography now than writing he finds it easier. Though he’s worked on a novel he didn’t finish it, and the only writing he does now  is website content for his photography mentor. So, I suggested he start trying to write about the photos he takes. I find that a wonderful practice. In fact, Keith Hamilton and I are working on a book of poetry with images.

I also suggested if he ever get serious about being a writer, to look into technical writing working on reports, proposals, and even website content. I learned so much about the discipline of writing that way sitting in the chair every day, working to stringent schedules, how to edit and revise, and making good use of outside reviews. I’m forever beholden to how much I learned from my technical writing days and how easily those skills transferred over to my creative writing life now.

While I doubt I’ll see young Stewart again unless we bump into each other at the Apple store when it was time to say goodbye, he said he’d check out my book. He also gave me his personal business card. I hope he does read my book. Perhaps it will inspire him to use the skills he learned in college. Maybe one day he will say, I am a writer too.

eBook Cover

eBook Cover

 

 

 

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