My name is Kristi, and I am a writer?
The question mark always seems to worm its way into that sentence when I say it. I still have a hard time classifying myself as such, even though I have felt words scratching at the insides of my bones since I was running around the backyard in only a long t-shirt and bare feet. (I cannot say that I don't still have the desire to do this sometimes.)
I question the statement because I feel like a liar when I say it. Have I published? No. Have I finished a novel? No. (I just have lots of beginnings.) So how can I possibly put myself in the same category as people like Margaret Atwood, Willa Cather, Fitzgerald, etc... and on into infinity ad nauseum? But, I can't get rid of the urge to put things down, to play with words like a child playing dress up, making something drab exotic and beautiful. And so, perhaps it would look better like this: My name is Kristi, and I am a writer!
Currently, I'm relishing in the reason I went into teaching: June, July, August. Summer is glorious! I teach 11th American Literature and AP English Language, but this fall I will return to tackle 9th grade Honors students along with my cherished American Literature students. Oh, the horror and the joy! As soon as I retrieve my camcorder from my desk at work (oops!), I will post a video of their re-enactments of The Great Gatsby.
Currently, I'm working on a short story entitled "All That Rises." When I finally finish, it will be the very first piece of fiction I send out for hopeful publication. I'm currently waiting to hear back on an article I recently submitted to a magazine regarding technological acquisition in children. I'm also thoroughly ignoring the novel I began this spring. It's tenatively titled The Prophetess. It started as a short story for Professor Groom's Fiction Writing class. Thirty pages later, I realized, my little story was not a short story, so I put it away to let it breathe and give me time to do so as well, and I think I'm almost ready to look at it again from a fresh perspective. I've written a multitude of short vignettes, but these were just for me and my journal. I don't know if they will ever see the light of day. Ray, I agree with you concerning the hardships concerning finding time. Too often I find it easy to justify away the time I could devote to writing. And then what do I do with that precious time? Have I mentioned I love really trashy reality television shows? Maybe I should write about that. A writer who doesn't write as much as she should because she is too busy watching another episode of Finding Love in a Dumpster. **Note**This show does not exist outside of my own mind. My apologies if I disappointed you.
On a personal note, I have been with my husband for ten years and married for two of those years. People are often shocked to hear that we have been together for so long since I'm 26. Oh, it's so cliche, but yes, we were high school sweethearts. Ten years ago I would have laughed at any one who told me I would marry my high school boyfriend while cackling, "I'm modern, and this isn't 1958. Get real!" Here I am, however, and I still kind of like the guy. We are pictured below on our wedding day.
I'm looking forward to this adventure!
Of course you are a writer, and a good one to boot. I helped workshop that article, and I thought it was one of the best in the class. And any book that has "prophet" in the title is bound to be a winner.
ReplyDeleteI think that the distinction between writer and professional writer is becoming very blurred, anyway, due to the influence of the internet. The borderline between professional and amateur has always been the paycheck, but there is an awful lot of free writing being produced these days by very good writers.
Kristi,
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous wedding photo. Thank you for sharing!
I appreciated your question mark, but much prefer you using the exclamation point. You are a fine writer. I'm excited to hear about your novel! That is just wonderful. And yes, I'm with you on the television shows and how that translates to watching and not writing. My husband calls them "my tv friends." But for me, it is a wonderful escape that allows me to energize from a long day of talking about writers in the hopes of relaxing my mind so that when I do sit down to write, the words will come. I loved Hemingway talking about reading other books when writing so he didn't think about it and lose it. I completely related to that thought process. Maybe our tv watching, though not to be used as an excuse for not writing, is our "other books." :-)
Thanks for sharing!
Jessica Q
Kristi,
ReplyDeleteYour blog was extremely entertaining--you definitely should own that exclamation point! All great writers had to start somewhere, so don't be so hard on yourself. I'm looking forward to seeing those re-enactments; I'm sure you have plenty of comic material from your teaching position! It is not easy to always find the time to write, but I'd have to agree with you that when the time is found it is indeed precious! I hope to encourage you to keep pushing through, however, and I look forward to reading more of your work!
-Jess