Sometimes I can look at my life and see signs directing me to a certain path. For example, when I received my student teaching assignment, I sobbed. I was assigned to teach Journalism, Newspaper, and one English class. One! I had spent several years so focused on how I would teach writing and literature, and here I was, my talent being wasted on the Communicative Arts classes.
That assignment changed the entire trajectory of my career–for the better. Think of all the things I would not have done the past ten years had I not received that particular student teaching assignment: advised a newspaper of my own, written a media literacy curriculum, earned a degree in Popular Culture, and advising another newspaper starting this fall. Each of these experiences changed me in ways I still discover each year.
And it’s not like I need signs pointing me to every major life decision, but I do like to pay attention to what the universe tries to tell me. Which is why, today, when the fabulous Mr. Stueve yet again made his case for why I should write a book, I chewed on his words the rest of the day.
What’s stopping me? He’s not the first person to suggest I should write a book, but he is the first soon-to-be-published author who has suggested it. Well, much like the big decisions we make in life, fear is stopping me. And as a writer, I have plenty of self-doubt. Even though I teach writing for a living and encourage my students to take risks, I clearly do not practice what I preach.
So I’m going to try.
It’s going to be ugly. I shall accept this as fact and move on and write anyway, and I will read Bird by Bird by Anne LaMott (who I’d really just like to be when I grow up) when I get discouraged.
Which will likely happen after I write one paragraph.
And I will let the illustrious Mr. Stueve read my work, and possibly our good friend Mr. Sullivan, who is nearing completion of his MFA in Creative Writing. And I will not cry in front of them when they tell me I lack focus and am bogged down in irrelevant details.
I will cry at home instead.
It may not go anywhere, but I’m going to try. The universe is telling me I at least owe that much.
If you are looking for signs, this was the post above yours in my blogger dashboard reader thingie.
http://mightygirl.com/2011/07/08/bird-by-bird-by-anne-lamott/
I did not open it before I read yours but I saw the picture on the post so when I read “Bird by Bird” in your post I thought, hang on didn't I just see that title somewhere> Literally the post right above yours. Posted at just the same time. I take it as a sign for you. That and I think you are an awesome writer and I'd totally buy your book.
I'm excited.
DO IT!! I love your writing.