The Little Kitten: a book I “wrote” and “illustrated” at a mere 10 years of age.
The question from this month’s #IWSG newsletter is: What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published?
As I say in my bio, “I’ve been writing so for as long as I can remember, as long as I could hold a pencil, or pen, or marker.”
Seriously. I have a full drawer in my file cabinet that is just my writing, or ideas for stories. The first folder is dated 1978, so I was merely seven at the time I wrote those “poems”, and I’ve saved them all these years (almost 40!).
And… all of it is collecting dust. Well, moldering. In organized files. Because I’m that way. Or I was…
I had some success in college, and right after, getting my work published, but then I got sucked into my career, and then I turned into a Sick Person, and … if you’re a person who notices such things, you’ll notice I haven’t even been blogging. My last post on here was a month ago, for this very reason, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
It’s not that I don’t have things to say or write, it’s just that as a Sick Person, I’m feeling the futility of well, lots of things, writing being one of them.
And it’s funny, because the word “aspiring” in the question strikes me. I never was “aspiring”. I just… was. Am. A writer.
I just don’t happen to write at the moment.
(And no, those early works will never see the published light of day. Because. Bad. Childish. But I’m glad I have them.)
Maybe one day you’ll take our some of those writing babies you have put in the closet and rework them. Who knows? I do sincerely hope that you start feeling better. I had noticed that you weren’t blogging because I subscribe to your blog. I won’t say take care of yourself because I believe you’re doing the best you can with the situation. I will say hang in there. You are not forgotten.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
I hope so. I mean, my first full “book” is actually pretty good. Even if I wrote it when I was 11.
And thank you for noticing. I appreciate your thoughts and you taking the time to read.
xoxo
What a wonderful thing to still have! It looks like a charming book as well. I loved what you had to say about always just having been a writer, kind of like having been a woman or a brunette. It just was. It’s that way for me as well.
@mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
Exactly. Just like breathing. 🙂
xoxo
I wish I still had the childish writings of my teen years. Just to see how bad they were. LOL I do hope you’ll feel better soon. Being sick overshadows everything. I’m glad you shared your story today.
I have many many many of mine. Tons of notebooks covered in practically indecipherable scrawl. Some of it is actually pretty good, and makes me wonder if I peaked back then!
Thanks for reading & for your comments!
Well the good news is you still have them. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Indeed, I do.
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I wrote books as a preteen too, but I’m not sure I still have them. I might have to go digging. Writing at times has been therapeutic for me, especially work I am not expecting to share.
Here’s my August IWSG post on my first novel attempt (note I said ATTEMPT). YA Author Stephanie Scott IWSG August
Yes, I have lots of writing that was scribbled down with the deliberate notion of not sharing. (And some with the intent for me never to read them again. I have them, they are just bundled up.) I might not even be able to read those things, even if I tried!
And yes, writing is therapeutic. I have continued writing in my journal – definitely NOT to share! But to help get my crazy thoughts out of my head.
Thanks for stopping by, and I will hop over & read your post when I get a moment.
I went through a period of being dreadfully sick. The good news was that my muse was patient and understanding, and promised that she’d be there when I was well enough to write again. I’m sure the same will be true for you.
I hope so! I had a difficult time tempting her back after the Master’s degree and career, and here I am I’m dissing her again…
Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
That book looks charming!
Even if you don’t blog as regularly as you’d like to, at least this monthly hop gives you a chance to let off some steam! 🙂
Take care of yourself.
Yes, the hop is a good thing, and I’m glad I found y’all. And I’m glad you’ve added the questions – I didn’t have to think up a topic!
Maybe I’ll type up The Little Kitten and share it in a future #FictionFriday post. 🙂
Never give up. You’ll pick up the pen, or fire up the computer, in due time. Keep the stories alive in your head, and share them when you’re ready.
Mary at Play off the Page
Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comments.
Of course, the stories stay alive in my head whether I want them to or not! 😉
I hear you! I’ve been the same way my whole life, but I started with art, so I was drawing pictures with deep stories or creating cartoons at a young age.
As a sick person myself, I hope you’re getting adequate sunshine. It’s so easy to get down when health challenges strike. Take moments to enjoy life, eh? Eat the best cheeses, read the best books, watch amazing sunsets without worrying about anything other than putting on a jacket when it gets cool. Take it easy on yourself.
Thanks for commenting and your sage advice. I do try to get sunshine, but at the moment the Southern heat and humidity keeps me inside, unless I’m inadvertently awake early in the morning.
Oh, my gosh! That looks a whole lot like my first book. I think mine might have had more stick figures, but wow, that takes me back!
I hope that’s a good visit to the past! 🙂