Our March 5th IWSG question is: If for one day you could be anyone or any *thing* in the world, what would it be? Give me a minute or a lifetime to think about that . . .
When I was five, that would have been an easy answer – I wanted to be like everyone else! When I started elementary school as the youngest of three girls, my middle sister was three grades ahead. She and my eldest sister had gone to the local elementary in our neighborhood which was mostly middle class. Then, a new shiny school was built in the area’s wealthiest neighborhood. Being on the edge of the district, we had the choice: stay at the old building or go to the new school.
To my mom, education was everything – the doorway to any future we could dream of. So that meant a mile walk or bike ride in every kind of weather to sit in a shiny classroom where we were . . . different. While we were hardly poor, we stood out in our homemade/hand-me-down clothes. Our dad wasn’t a doctor or a lawyer. My mom didn’t stay at home watching soap operas. She worked part-time and took a bus. I shared a bedroom with my middle sister and fought tooth-and-nail to get a storebought outfit to wear to a middle school field trip so I wouldn’t feel . . . less. I dreamed about being MORE. And those imaginings poured out in fantasy stories I shared with my friends - where I was a queen or a famous writer or the savior of the planet. Those fictional worlds were my escape . . . and my future as a multi-published author of 80 titles. I never became ‘famous’ or wealthy, but I was something better than that – a steady provider for my family by doing something I love and there for them whenever I was needed.
So, what else would I be for a day if I could be other than who I am? In my books I’ve been a warrior, an explorer, the savior of the dang planet! I’m good.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. The awesome co-hosts for the March 5th posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse Van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Liza @ Middle Passages!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
Good point! In our stories, we can be everything.
ReplyDeleteI was a military brat so we had the challenge of moving every couple years which meant making new friends.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteYour desire to become more made you explore ways to become the authentic person you are today. With those dreams turned into books you have explored the world.
Take care!
Shalom shalom
That's great how your childhood helped shape your writing and that you have helped support your family through publishing your books.
ReplyDeleteMy fantasy worlds sustained me when I was young. I had a deep wish to escape, and the only place I could go was my own imagination. Becoming a writer was probably inevitable after all that time spent in my own head.
ReplyDeleteAnonymously Esther O'Neill, 0G, 0 signal... inner city , post industrial childhood, with grandparents whose imaginations rivalled a whole conference of writers, I dreamt of living in the hills, in a very old house. (400) Next ? Write books other people will love ? Still working on that !
DeleteThat's wonderful on all counts. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
You've done your mother proud, Nancy! Happy IWSG Day!
ReplyDelete