No One Said it Would be Easy
In the third grade, I won the Young Author’s Award for my school and received the honor of hearing a real author speak to a group of aspiring writers in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was then that I knew I wanted to be an author. When adults asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said, “I want to be a teacher and an author.”
If you know me, you know I fulfilled my first aspiration of being a teacher. I retired in 2018 after teaching physical education to elementary-aged children for thirty years in a small town in North Georgia. Naïvely, I believed I would retire from teaching and write books, thus fulfilling both my childhood dreams. I’m learning there is a tad more to becoming an author than writing.
Teaching for thirty years no more qualified me to be a writer than an eye surgeon or a lawyer. I am embarrassed to tell you I didn’t know writing would take a good ten to twenty years to learn and develop the craft. I also did not know being an author meant also becoming an expert in technology, editing, publishing, and marketing. While I’m divulging my naivety, I may as well tell you I honestly did not know until halfway through my senior year in high school that to teach physical education, I would need “one of those four-year degrees.” Because I was naïve as a child and sometimes still am, it never offended me when students asked me if I “ever wanted to be a real teacher.”
The people I have met in this world of writing are a unique lot. Some are household names. Some make a living. Others have written multiple books or written blogs for years without earning the equivalent of a cup of coffee. I have learned from all of them. Writers write for the joy of it. The one mantra I have heard repeatedly is, “Don’t do it if you don’t enjoy it. The field of writing is too hard and too uncertain to get into if you don’t love the process.”
For now, I will tell you I am willing to be bad at writing to become good at the craft. I’m new. I will make mistakes. Malcomb Gladwell tells us in Outliers that we need to put in our time when we start something new. Ten thousand hours, he suggests. Historically, I take twice as long as my peers to accomplish the same task, which means by my calculations, if I put in 20-30 hours a week, I should be a mediocre writer by my 107th birthday. If you want to wait until my 107th birthday to tell people you follow me, I will still invite you to my birthday party, but if you would invite others to come along, oh the stories we will have to share. Won’t it be a joyful celebration? What are you willing to be bad at before you become good? Please comment below.
October 4, 2023 @ 2:00 pm
Well said Joy!!! Thank goodness God says He finds our “works” perfect , or complete, where we are in time with our spiritual growth in Him!!! It’s a process. There’s a steep learning curve but we move forward, failing at times, dusting our self off and continuing to put on the beautiful, spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness! Steady on my friend! You’re a writer “perfect” in your time but even so I’ll take you up on that grand birthday celebration
October 4, 2023 @ 3:46 pm
I think you need to write a story for my blog one day. You always have such good comments. Thanks for your encouragement. I like that, “steady on” phrase. You are right. Timing is everything. I can’t wait to see you at my 107th.
October 4, 2023 @ 2:15 pm
I have read every blog and I find myself drawn into your world and smiling every time. To me, that means you have made it as a writer! Now, to get you published. Glad to be a part of your journey.
October 4, 2023 @ 3:41 pm
Wow! Thanks for the kind words, Vickie. And thanks for following. Your support means more to me than you will ever know.
October 4, 2023 @ 10:12 pm
I believe that the fun you put into your writing makes me smile, laugh, and inspires me to get back into my writing (I will I promise) !
I think I’ve read all your blog posts and love each one for the unique story it is itself !
I look forward to your 107th birthday party… can I bring a side dish??
October 5, 2023 @ 2:56 am
Thank you, Donna. I look forward to reading your work.
Ha! I appreciate the offer. Bring any side dish you want.
I’ve got you on my guest list, but I hope to see you sometime
before my 107th party.
October 8, 2023 @ 9:57 pm
Joy,
It is always with great anticipation that I wait for your next blog. You ave a style of writing that captures the reader from the first sentence.when I was teaching writing to my fifth graders i and they always faced two difficult times in the writing process. The first sentence and the last sentence. Both equally difficult.
Many years ago I kept a journal. I was faithful and found something to include just about every day. They in 1995 I found journaling to no longer necessary. This is the same thing I experienced with my painting. The pleasure of creating art lost so much of its luster and I put my brushes away. I ask myself over and over if I’ll ever start painting again. That remains to be seen.
About three months ago I purchased a new journal and I thought I would record my thoughts and a record of the events of this journey Annette and I are on.
This is not supposed to be about me but rather about you. Yes, I enjoy your writing.I also enjoy the pictures from your road trips. Remember that thee is a special place in my heart for Joy Walker, my friend and adopted little sister. I’d never turn down a cup of coffee with you.
All the best,
Dale (Keeper and Guardian of Annette)
October 9, 2023 @ 10:33 pm
Thanks for the kind words, Dale. Journaling is such a great task. It’s fun to go back to read old posts. You are so good at painting, I’d hate to think that you may never paint again. Do it for you. Do it for Annette. Do it because you have something to say. It’s not too late to start something again. Pick up that journal. Pick up that brush. It may be just what you need to get through this journey you and Annette are on.
Forever your little sister, and Annette’s little buddy.
Joy
March 24, 2024 @ 10:59 pm
I feel like we go through seasons, as somethings interest us at different times in our lives. I remember when you rode your bike to work, diligently. Then you were cycling at a gym and teaching the class. Now you’re writing. All of these things you do really well, and are an inspiration for the rest of us. Can’t wait to see what you do next!
March 28, 2024 @ 3:59 pm
You are so right, Sherry. I am loving this season of writing and I still love riding. Combining the two loves seems to be working for me. Thanks for the compliments. One day maybe we will be able to combine our talents. Who knows what the future will bring.
I appreciate you reading and commenting.