The Accidental Writer

Lovely, Renee. A rose by any other name...

I have sort of the opposite story. I was that kid who was writing from the time I could hold a crayon. I wrote my first "novel" at 7! I was your stereotypical High School poet. I went to college, got a degree in English, worked in publishing, went to grad school, got a PhD in English, published articles, wrote a 235 page long book (that will probably never get published because I decided not to stay in academia!). Throughout my twenties and even today, I wrote in a LiveJournal, and built a community there. Periodically I started a blog, but I found myself more comfortable at LJ, and because I was doing more "public" writing academically, I and kept defaulting there for the more personal stuff.

And now I am starting a career that has NOTHING to do with writing. It scares the bejeezus out of me because writing has been so central to my identity for as long as I can remember. Publishing a book has been the ONLY thing on my bucket list since I was 4. It will probably never happen because, as a midwife, I will be completely overextended all the time. But I started up with my blog again in the hopes that it will fulfill some of those needs. I still write constantly at LJ, but because I feel so at ease there and have known many of my readers /friends there for almost a decade now, I often will just sort of throw out some thoughts or use it as a place to record things about the kids quickly (or ask for advice!). I'm trying to cultivate a more thoughtful writing practice in my blog, although so far it has been difficult because I have so much on my plate as it is.

Anyway, thank you for sharing your experience!

I think "compelled" and "called" are the same thing, just different expressions. I relate to your analytical look at this topic - my mind works the same way - but I don't think your writing is accidental at all. There is a clear through-line. I personally no longer believe a calling needs to have a huge, aha, clouds-parting moment. You were tuned into it all along. It's always been there. No big event needed! Do you write? Then you are a writer!

I think there was a time when writers were a select few. But the world is changing and we are all becoming writers. Really! There's a literacy researcher named Deborah Brandt who has been studying this and she writes, “For perhaps the first time in the history of mass literacy, writing seems to be eclipsing reading as the literate experience of consequence" and "We are becoming a nation of writers."

This fascinates me. We are all writing more than we ever have before--yet I think there's still a stigma attached with calling yourself a writer. I know it took me a long time to come out and say I considered myself a writer. It's funny: I think it's easier for people to say that they're a musician or an artist, even if they don't do those things professionally…

I'm on a quest to help kids and parents become writers--and to claim writing for themselves! So say it loud, Renee: you are a writer!

You are an authentic writer. A writer of life. And this is the writing I love best.

I have been reading Steven Pressfield's "The War of Art" and thinking what it means to be a professional in writing. He talks about the dilettantes' over-identification with their art. The cagey professional keeps a bit of a distance. If there's no distance, if there's no remove, how do we accept criticism, improve, work on our craft with rough diligence? What you're describing is a lifetime honing writing as a tool, rather than an identity. Perhaps not seeing yourself as a writer is a strength.

I was going to reply the same way Laura did. I think to be compelled and called are essentially the same thing, and your writing is clearly not accidental!

I love Patricia's remarks! Very encouraging! Makes me recall discussions I've seen in the online crafting community about calling oneself an "artist." People are hesitant to call themselves either artists or writers, but if you make art, you are an artist, and if you write, you are a writer. Why you do it and who you do it for are not the defining factors. As you well know, there have been many artists and writers whose gifts were not recognized or appreciated during their lifetimes, but they kept plying their craft anyway.

(In response to the Brandt quote, I should add that we will not be very good writers if we are not good readers!)

It is always helpful to think out and flesh through why you do something, and when you share it, others can benefit from it as well. Thank you!

Natalie Goldberg wrote, "The words are not you, they were a great moment going through you."

Renee, you have the gift to open and allow passage of these moments to the page, and to graciously give of your space, time, and dedication to the process of sharing these gifts through your blog.

Others may have a gift to create interesting stories, to communicate the humourous idiosyncrasies of life however there are few that have the gift of opening to the moment and share that something that touches us deeper; deeper to that Peace that connects us.

I encourage your readers (and yourself of course) to neglect those 'insecurities' about your writing. Neglect them of time, space and weight on your mind, and like a poor forgotten plant they will die (faster than you may think) and instead you will be left with fertile soil, a 'mindful compost' so to speak, and that will give greater space to nurture your strengths and gifts of connecting with others and sharing the great moments of life through your words.

I am a reader. I think it started early...i dont remember a time when i didnt have a library card(thanks Mom!) Glad I keep landing here. I suppose I could say I'm a writer too. Haven't developed that kind of courage yet. As always, hopping offline inspired :)

I love how honest and humble you are!

I am reading a book called "The Soul Tells A Story" by Vanita Hampton Wright. This book has explained so much about creative type people to me. I have literally marked up the whole book taking notes and underlining. She comes at it from a strong writing perspective but essentially she is saying that all forms of art and creativity are an expression of the message we, as creatives, have to share.

It explained so much to me about myself and why I've always done things the way that I have. You are a very creative person in many areas and I love your writing on this blog. I very much enjoy the personal aspect of it. Art and creativity seem to be part of who you are. From what I can see on this side of the screen!

The author of the book believes that creatives often have more than one gift and discover this as life progresses. Although, I love to write and essentially always have, I have no formal education and this would give me a great disadvantage in today's very full writing world. I write because I love it and because I simply need to.

Renee, I find your blog so interesting. Perhaps it is because so different (and yet in some ways similiar) - but I am posting my note on your blog with a request: Please finish your salad book. I am waiting to buy it. Thank you.

Renee, I love this post. :) I can so relate to your story. I am in the intense stage of mothering - with a five year old, three year old and new baby due in October. My children are intense, and we will be homeschooling (well, technically we are but i favour a relaxed approach ;). I love reading your words and feeling what migh be possible for me in the future. I keep journals but have been pushing writing out when i'm short on time. I think I'm going to have to make the time for my sanity. Thank you for the reminder, and thank you for writing.

You're "just a writer" - meaning, you don't have to look further or explain further beyond that. You're a writer, no matter where that comes from. Would a man ever justify their passion/calling? (because of where I come from, I'm very sensitive to this, though I totally realize it doesn't apply to you at all). You're a writer, and do a good job at that.

Well, I'm right with you there 'accidentally'. As someone who hated English in high school, never set foot in an English class in college, and is now finishing up the rough draft of her second book to hand in to the publisher in a month.

Writing is one of humanity's major forms of communication - I think it's only natural to end up coming to claim it when you have something you want to communicate.