Blog-Off II Entry: Are you passionate about writing?

 

Thinking about writing for a living reminds me of how I always feel when I'm not making money (like now) - guilty, guilty, guilty as charged.  To try and earn a living from your real passion in life can be a bit like the proverbial double- edged sword.  What on earth am I doing? (I sometimes ask.) How could I have ruined such a good thing ... or how might this have played out had I only followed my father's advice and become a lawyer (yikes) or stuck with that first job at the publishing house, or stayed in Los Angeles, or moved back to New York?

It’s always been true that I could have continued to write as a hobby, on the side, just as I enjoyed acting in Community Theater - strictly for fun. Surely, had I followed any of those other paths, the result would have been a spectacular midlife crisis, a major meltdown, and I would still end up right here, right now, doing exactly what I should be doing, which is completing grad school and getting the tools I need to become a teacher.

Perhaps I am simply less of a writer that I must worry about the whims of the marketplace compared to those free-spirited individuals guided by a pure passion for producing beautiful words and images. I find myself attracted more and more to the unencumbered vision of the amateurs. There is purity there. It is undeniable. It is being a "beginner" again. I have been reinvented through my journey as a student the second time around and it has gained me a brand new understanding. We might all benefit from going back to being "just beginners" for awhile.

It's maintaining freshness that is the real trick in any career.  Is it still possible to reach back and touch the purity once you are deep in the game of commerce?  Perhaps by asking the question, I have just answered it.

Anyone with a computer can claim to be a writer.  To actually earn a living producing words or copy that comes from the heart is a very different story.  Yes, it's true that I worked as a writer/editor, producer, marketing director for more than 25 years, but in those "jobs" and for all those years, I never felt like a writer.  And I never felt I was doing anything that mattered.

Pursuing an advanced degree has been the ultimate gift.  It allowed me to regain that fresh perspective. It's as if I re-learned all the old life lessons but got them right this time.  Because of my combined experiences, good and bad, I became a far better student, and I daresay, a better human being.  I am finally beginning to feel like a writer. The blank page no longer frightens me. I am ready to find new communication solutions, to help educate a new generation, to put all that I've learned to work in some (as yet unknown but definitely bold) new way.

Zen philosophy tells us that we are all exactly where we are supposed to be. I tend to agree. What about you?  Are you where you should be?  What's your passion?

Comments

[Susan Solomon]

Great work!Keep writing! Best wishes, Susan

[Kenneth]

Elizabeth, you ARE a writer, and a darned good one at that! Keep it up. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

[Elizabeth Thomas]

So very true, Edie. I'm happy to hear that, like me, you also found your passion. Wise words indeed, "It's never too late..." We're living proof of that!

[edie busija]

You are indeed lucky to have found your passion. I found mine quite a bit later than you and consider myself lucky. Doing what love is wonderful, unfortunately sometimes life's circumstances take us on a detour and as someone (can't remember who) much wiser than me said: "It is never to late to become the person you were meant to be".

[Elizabeth Thomas]

Sam:
If I struck a chord and prompted the desire to talk, then that is high praise...for that was my intent. For what it's worth, I believe you are a writer, and a fined one at that. Your style has flow. it's warm and authentic. I absolutely love that you care enough to try to bring "Gen Y" back into the real world. (I mean, someone has to!) Thanks for participating. Keep talking, and keep writing.

[Sam Diener]

Elizabeth --- this struck a chord with me.

I am as far from a writer as anyone could ever be. I have many friends that are writers or have English degrees. My Mom is a librarian for goodness sake. Honestly, I think of my writing as more of a way to "change the game."

I am an entrepreneur at heart. Five months ago when I started writing, it was simply to build an online brand. Attract some people to my site, so that I could be "credible" if someone ever Googled me.

The inspiration for my writing comes from going out in the real world and observing what can be changed. As I put it last night to a nice young woman I had just met at a networking event.... "I write to try to bring Generation Y back into the real world...."

I simply have trouble calling myself a "blogger" or anything of a sort. Because that's not what I am dojng. I am attempting to influence behavior.

Hmm. This comment could be a little disjointed and self-centered. Sorry if it seems that way. When I comment, I kind of go stream of conscience.

I think it is a great blog post, it made me want to talk!

[Elizabeth Thomas]

Thanks, Glynn. You're right, of course. Like most things, it's up to the individual to seek and find his (or her) own "passion" in life. I'm blessed to have found mine. So many people are not really even looking. We can only try to inspire and educate. Seek and ye shall find!

[Glynn Mangold]

I think a fortunate few wind up where they are supposed to be early in their lives/careers. Most have to spend a substantial amount of time and energy seeking out where they are supposed to be. Some find it soon, some find it later. Sadly, some never find it. In fact, that is very sad when you think about it.