I’ve got so much to say… if only you would listen…

Here’s the deal. Never would I thought would I care to be a writer, dream of writing, or call myself a writer. There was a writing after school ‘club’ I was a part of in 4th grade. We wrote short stories mostly fiction. I remember liking it, but not knowing what to write. There were people better at writing in the class than me and I remember thinking to myself, this is such an introverted activity, I don’t like not talking aloud to others. I stuck it out for the year. We had a small book that we published as a class of our short stories. I guess I just didn’t consider myself a writer…. at the time…

In high school, I joined the newspaper club. I wanted to report on various issues that were happening in the school. I remember enjoying interviewing others and writing about it. Again, it wasn’t a passion of mine, however. The stage was my passion, student government was my passion, and working with kids was and is my passion. I didn’t consider myself a writer… at the time…

Life happens and changes probably for a reason. Today I can proudly say that I am a columnist. I didn’t ever get into blogging. I had a blog for years and tried to blog here and there, but failed many times in keeping it up and consistent. I never really knew what to writer and would anyone actually read what I say? Well, I guess now with 2 books that penned, 5 anthologies, a thesis, I guess I can say I am writer. It is such a weird title. My writer’s group keeps telling me that I am a writer. I keep saying I am an author, but when you get to the point that you are paid to write I guess you are a writer. My last anthology I was paid and now I am the new News and Notes columnist for MNPlaylist, an MN based theatre organization. It is a weird feeling, but a proud feeling. Like I said, writing was something that came natural when I found my voice.

In high school I had to write many papers about what we read. I remember the 5 paragraph essay well. It was drilled in me. My freshmen year though I had a teacher that changed my life. She helped me to find my voice. Mrs. Jenn Edwards had us write about various topics from what we think of various issues to what we did that weekend on a weekly basis. It was on us to choose which ones we wanted to turn in. It was those creative non-fiction essays that I thrived on and that she helped me to find my voice. Since then, I loved to write. I never thought though that anyone would actually pay me to write or want to hear what I had to say. I thought I would have to be a John Grisham or something like that to be called a ‘writer.’

Every few weeks for the past several years, I look on Playlist for ads looking at what auditions are out, what shows are playing, what the reviews are, what is going on in MN theatre and what I should put my hopes and dreams in. I saw a posting about being a writer for MN Playlist. I thought to myself, what is there to loose? Just some time in emailing, a cover letter, and resume. I submitted this letter and next thing I know, I land myself this job writing for News and Notes on MN theatre for MNPlaylist. I am so grateful that my story comes full circle. You can find my first News and Notes here:

https://minnesotaplaylist.com/magazine/article/2018/listen