A little quote…

From a dream I had…

I have a lot of dreams related to writing. Mostly they tell me that I need to, that I am not spending enough effort toward it, that I have a calling, what am I waiting for…you know: WHY AREN’T YOU WRITING?

I go through phases where it is all that I think about. But sometimes, when work is burdensome and I am tired and there are too many other distractions either personal or professional, I will have one of those dreams that knocks me back into place with a jolt.

The quote above was a from a dream. One that I woke up from like walking through a door. I won’t go into details, but the one person whom I would listen to without question said these words to me: “Write like your life depends on it.” I’ve been haunted ever since. And I must write these instructions on my heart and do so.

This little kid I know…

So, I know this little kid.  Let’s call him Mitchell.  Mitchell is one of my favorite kids of ALL TIME.  Tonight, during dinner over chinese food (which he insisted he didn’t like, but then which he ate quite a bit of), I asked him what he wants to be when he grows up.  He is 7, and so, very logically, answered, “I don’t know yet.” 

I asked his father what he wants to be when he grows up.  At this, Mitchell was flabbergasted.  “He is already a grown up! He works!”  I explained how not all grown ups get to do what they REALLY want to do for a living.  Again, Mitch was flabbergasted.  When asked what I want to be when I grow up, I answered, “I want to be a writer who farms.”  Mitchell’s sage advice, given without hesitation and with a forkful of beef and broccoli on its way to his mouth: “Then just go do it if that’s what you want to do.” 

And although I have graduate degrees in the craft of writing and the science of soil, I have failed to choose either of these pursuits for the way I “make a living.”  The universe has nearly bashed me over the head with what I need to be doing with my life, but this was the statement that made me pay attention. 

After Mitch made this statement, a challenge was thrown down.  I must start tonight with my pursuit of writing as a career.  I must start a new blog for writing or else…Mitchell told me I would have to wash all four of my dogs as punishment.

So, although my dogs could use a bath, I am writing tonight to seal the agreement. 

I have a ridulous number of works in progress, but I am starting a new creative development workshop with my cousin, who is also an artist committing herself to its legitimate pursuit, and I want to use this as a forum for the creative works I will bring to light during this workshop.  So what if it sucks?  That’s what editing is for.

And that’s what this blog is for.  Being a writer.

Thanks, Mitchell.