I’m a writer.

My confidence was in bloom, as I sat at the table with my laptop bright and ready for work. 

OK. Now is the time. Isn’t it?

I have college degrees; a B.A. in Spanish, and a B.S. in Biology.  I have written stacks of research papers in both Spanish and English.  I’ve also written for pay, including creating new curriculum that I taught in a veterinary assistant program at a community college. Examples include Ethics in Veterinary Medicine and an overview of holistic/alternative veterinary medicine. 

I’m not a “real” writer, though.

I’ve queried and submitted posts for a local family website when my now-tweens were barely toddlers. Those posts still pop up now and then, and I enjoy re-reading them and seeing the photos of my little ones.   I also remember how exhausted I was as a mom of young twins, working full-time, creating no mental energy for personal work.  

The kids do their laundry and make their own lunches now, so it’s time, right?

Shortly before leaving my career as a veterinary technician and hospital manager in 2012 for a new opportunity, I began writing a blog for the clinic.  That blog developed into a short-term job writing posts for a local website developer/SEO, a new vocabulary and other lessons learned.

I started writing and studying the craft seriously almost ten years ago. I have a growing home library of books about writing, and am enthralled with learning how writers have made their own varied careers.  I have a list of writerly podcasts in rotation for my daily walks and chores; topics include grant writing, writing for kids and young adults, author interviews, scripted podcasts, communication and more.

Through 2019 and pre-pandemic 2020, I attended meetings of the Willamette Writers group when they started a chapter for writers in my city. I was working on several fiction projects, and delving into research on what writing path felt like the best fit. I even dragged my kids along to see my favorite local writer lead a meeting.

I’ve always wanted to write a novel.

I recently finished the first draft of a novel in November of 2020, developing a habit of writing nearly two thousand words a day for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).  This was my fifth attempt at writing a novel-length book, and the only draft I’ve finished. I have written a NOVEL. Yes, it’s a first draft, but still over 50K words, in an order of my choosing.

I have had this website for two years, daring me to put myself in the public view.  I have dreamed about what my writing career could be, but have been too set in my routine, too nervous to take a leap.

If not now, when?

Right.  Deep breath.  The time is now.  I am a writer.

Please share: what scary step do you want to take this year?