A Writing Career
When guesting on another writer’s blog you are usually asked to answer some questions about yourself and your writing journey. For a number of years I’ve been happily scribbing something every time. I write whatever comes into my mind as I prepare the post, making no effort to check earlier articles to see if I might have repeated myself. I don’t feel like I do but I guess some of the information must be so similar it might even be word for word. But I assure you, if that is the case, its because of my thought processes on the particular day I am doing the posts not because I’m too lazy to write something new.
But recently I realised I lot of the little things I write disappear into the ether. They appear on a blog somewhere around the world for a day or two, then slip into the archives of the host never to be seen again. I got to thinking that some of those blog posts might be worthy of reprinting and allowing some of my newer readers to learn a little more about me. I’m hoping to find some of those posts so I can use them here on my website.
My first repeat is from the blog of Canadian mystery writer Joanne Guidoccio, who welcomed me with an intriguing request. Divide your life into acts and describe each one. This was so different as blogs go and I really enjoyed preparing it. I apologise to anyone who has already read it, but think its worth repeating for my newer fans. I hope you enjoy what I wrote as the “first act” of my life. Part 2 and 3 will follow.
Where to begin? My childhood seemed uneventful at the time, pretty boring by today’s standards or so my little grandchildren think. I mean, growing up in a tiny coastal town of less than 50 people, without television, computers, mobile phones, how did we survive? Although widowed when I was two, my mother provided my sister, brother and myself with a great childhood. We never had much money but she set us on our path to adulthood with many important guidelines. She gave us morals to live by, showed us hard work never hurt anyone and confirmed every day by her actions that excessive money and possessions aren’t necessary to enjoy life. She shared her great sense of humour, her love of books and her determination to explore all she could of our beautiful country. And so many more things I am grateful for. Looking back now, I regret my own children had to grow up in a world so different from my ‘deprived’ one.
“Home” Colac Bay, Southland
I was a very shy, quiet kid and was very content at home, especially as my brother and sister had both moved into Invercargill (our equivalent of the big city back then) for work by the time I was twelve. Looking back I cannot believe where I found the courage to take the huge step which lead me away from home and everything I knew. Probably my mother’s confidence in my ability to be and do whatever I decided I wanted to.
Check back in a few days for Part 2