Maybe it’s a midlife crisis. Maybe it’s cabin fever. Maybe it’s an ambitious and creative method for avoiding housework. Maybe it’s … all of the above?
I don’t know exactly why I’ve started writing again with such a passion — why I sat down one weekend and sketched out the bones of a novel that’s been percolating in my brain for weeks. There’s no “one” reason, I suppose, why would-be novelists finally finally fire up their laptops and actually start to put words on paper. But I have a few ideas:
- #yearof40: I was born in 1976. So this November, I will turn the big 4-0. And all of those goals and accomplishments I’d hoped to achieve in my 30s, well … the clock is ticking. And writing a novel is way up there on that list. (So is running another marathon, but that’s another blog post for another day.)
- “Arrows” book: Earlier this year, I was thrilled to attend the book signing of a friend and former colleague of mine. Melissa Gorzelanczyk released her debut young adult novel “Arrows” in January by Random House/Delacorte Press. It was such an amazing accomplishment for her that it inspired me to take a good, long look at my writing dreams. And it turns out that if you want to publish a novel, you actually have to start by writing it. Enough said.
- If not now, when? For the first time in my married life, I actually feel like I have some time to devote to me. When we were first married and the kids were small, I felt (as most busy mothers do, certainly) that my time and my life were not my own. My days and how much I got accomplished in them were completely dependent upon the moods and wishes of tiny, irrational people. A long nap meant I got some house cleaning done. A grocery store temper tantrum meant I had to cut my shopping short and serve canned soup for dinner. And sleep? Be serious. But these days, with our oldest out of the house and both girls in school full time, I actually have some time and space to breathe — to plan my own schedule. And it’s been fabulous! But before long, I know the girls’ schedules are going to increase in crazy-busy-ness as they get more involved with sports, clubs and extracurriculars. So now, during this brief lull between changing diapers and shuttling kids to soccer practice, I’m going to make the most of this moment and start to write.
- Support network? Check! Last but certainly not least, my writing career is being not-so-gently pushed along by the world’s most amazing support team. My family, especially my husband, is 100 percent on board with me beginning this project. I’m also extremely blessed to have an incredible network of friends who are supporting me in this endeavor — including a group that includes published authors (such as Melissa and my dear friend Sharon Verbeten of All Write Creative Services), freelance writers, copy editors, journalists and professional photographers. As if that weren’t enough, I’m learning that my community of Green Bay has a thriving writers’ community and offers workshops and networking opportunities that I never knew existed. (Big fan of the Brown County Library. Really big fan!) So thank you in advance to all of you who’ve supported me thus far — I promise, I’ll repay you somehow!
So why am I writing now, after all these years? It’s the perfect storm of inspiration and opportunity, nudged along by a milestone birthday that grows closer each day. What better reason do I need?