Diary of a New Writer – (1) When did I forget I love this?

~ Meg

(In case you were trying to read the caption on my coffee cup, it’s Irish Gaelic and translates:  “The traveler has tales to tell.”)

My dad was a story-teller.  It’s only now, looking back, that I appreciate what a vivid imagination he had!  He made up a whole series of adventures involving our neighbor’s cat:  Mopsy, and another one with a little old man and a cuckoo clock that always saved the day.  Anyway, I come by my love of stories and books, naturally.

I loved taking notes in school and writing letters to my friends who moved to Florida when I was a little girl.  I kept a diary from the time I was eight years old right up to about age fourteen. I still have some of the notebooks I filled with poetry when I was a teenager.  I excelled in English, ignored it to the detriment of my other subjects, yet was never encouraged to pursue it as a career.   Cést la vie.

I went to college, majored in marketing, learned to write ad copy and design polls and surveys.  Graduated in a time of recession and couldn’t get a job.  I was Winona Ryder in “Reality Bites,” in other words, floundering.


(Image credit “Reality Bites” 1994)

I even ended up working at the Gap!  (Sharp intake of breath.  I heard you.)  That job is what ultimately led me to pursue a career change.  At twenty-one, I found myself with such back pain, I could barely walk.  Long story short, chiropractic saved the day and I found my new calling.  I went back to school, started working in my field, got married, etc.  Suddenly, I realized it had been years since I thought about writing.

One day, I guess about two years ago, I was sitting in the stylist’s chair at the hair salon, touching up the blonde and reading my book to pass the time. My stylist said to me, “You’re always reading. Did you ever want to write a book yourself?” “Sure,” I laughed. “Doesn’t every reader want to be a writer?” “You should do it,” she said. “Hmm,” I thought. “But what am I going to write about?”  That’s what I’ll tell you about next time!

Published by Meg

Easily amused, never bored and constantly distracted. My creative pursuits include writing, drawing, painting and photography.

42 thoughts on “Diary of a New Writer – (1) When did I forget I love this?”

  2. My Grandpa was my storyteller. Even on Sundays. But it was after his sermon (he was a country pastor) when he would talk about his adventures in the forests and fields. He had a gift. My writing is indeed sprung from reading. And when I get stuck I try to imagine how Grandpa would spin it.

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  4. I am so glad to hear that you inherited the gift of storytelling. your dad must be an amazing company. I still remember the story where you narrated things you did for your parents. 🙂

    This is such a wonderful post. What does C’est La Vie mean if I may ask?

    Did you meet your stylist and thank her when your first book was published or today? Sometimes(I feel everytime!) God speaks through our neighbors and when we are tuned-in we hearken.

    Small things change our worlds forever.

    Love and light ❤

    Anand 🙂

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    1. Cest la vie is French and means “such is life” or “that’s life.” My stylist is a dear friend and knows the inspiration she was to me! You’re right, we have to slow down and pay attention. In this busy world, just think what we might be missing!

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      1. Oh, I am so glad to know you are still in touch with her 🙂 Thanks for explaining the meaning of the phrase! Indeed, being mindful we can see signs all around us 🙂

        Love and light ❤
        Anand 🙂

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  5. Got me hooked! Now I’m going to hang around your blog until you post the follow up to this one! Don’t you think you are being a little unfair….haha….I’m already hooked to the ‘three empty frames’, ‘seeing red’ keeps calling out to me….and now this post! 😀

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  6. Love your story! I guess we all wish we might have done things differently, but glad you found your bliss! I was a journalist but then life got in the way and I had to be home and the only writing I was doing was our annual Christmas newsletter. So here I am writing a blog and having fun!

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  8. Hi,
    I met you at Danny’s Meet and Greet. I thought you name, Dr. Meg Writes Better Than She Dresses was funny. You indicatd you were new, but you have an engaged community which is great. I know Ellen and Koolaid Moms. I help new bloggers at my site. If you could use any blogging tips,, perhaps you’ll check my site out. Here is the link to the About page, so you can read more about my blog.
    http://wp.me/P6x6vQ-89.
    As far as your post, my ego is leaving enhanced–I know what Cest la vie meant. My mom studied French in school or I heard it somewhere.
    Nice to meet you.
    Janice

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  10. Your dad sounds like my Mom. She used to love to make up different versions of Disney fairytales. One of my favorites was her version of Pocahontas which unfortunately I don’t remember too clearly today and funnily enough, neither does she. But I think that’s where my love for stories started 🙂

    PS – Just thought I’d let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award >> https://stillwaitingforprincecharming.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/wow-id-like-to-thank/ Congratulations!

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    1. No, not at all! I definitely saw myself as a writer. It just wasn’t something viewed as practical, I guess? I think my parents were afraid an “artistic” career would be risky, so writing was never encouraged. I am so far behind!

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  18. I like where you’re going with this. I hope you have as much fun writing it as we, the readers, are going to enjoy diving into it! I can tell you are filled with personality and I have never even met you. It’s amazing how much insight can be found in the written word. Keep writing, keep playing and keep enjoying every moment of life.

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