The Daily Writes

Keep Kicking The Piñata Girl

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My hairstylist is a gem. He regularly dispenses pearls of wisdom in a way only he can.

Years ago he counseled me to get out there with my writing. He gave me such an inspired pep talk, that I went out and signed up for a writing class with my AWESOME writing coach, The Sexy Grammarian.

I saw him again yesterday and told him I write down some of the genius he spews while creating magic on my head. My favorite is “Keep kicking the piñata girl, candy is going to fall out!”

Yesterday I also shared with him that ever since launching my blog, I’m struggling with writers block. My inner critic is on full alert, wondering with everything I write, “Why would anyone want to read this?” Perhaps I’m trying too hard; blog stage fright. He said, “Honey, listen, if you have to, just close the curtain. Get comfortable behind the scenes and open it back up when you are ready.”

I love his advice, but after considering this I think I’m going to keep the curtain open. Shut up inner critic, you’re old and useless to me now. I have arrived and I’m only interested in going for it.

Here We Go

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When I was 10 years old, I used to load a clean tape in my cassette recorder and set out on Wilhelmina Street to record adventures. I imagined myself a tour guide on the wild untamed streets of suburbia. Every day I told a new story or interviewed a new person. I’d come home after a long day and transcribe my journeys.

Writing has always been part of my life. Wilhelmina Street adventures, poems about beloved Cheerios, letters negotiating fewer chores with my parents. I’ve always loved to write.

Fast-forward 33 years and its still a passion, one that I hide while I pound out my life as a direct woman, a new mom and long time corporate marketer. I’ve decided to come out of hiding. With The Daily Writes, I’m taking my first few steps into the light.

What is my angle? Am I a marketing blogger, a perky blogger, a mommy blogger? I’ve realized that I’m a creative force and I work best off the cuff. Consistency and structure work in some areas of my life but they are suffocating when I am writing.

What you’ll find on The Daily Writes is a collection of works. Older posts are exercises from a writing course. There are some from food blogs I’ve written and a few published pieces. Going forward I’ll write about whatever kernel of an idea or perspective captures me in the moment.

I’m doing it, finally.

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Since I was little, I have dreamed of writing.  My first work, a poem about Cheerios, got me hooked and from there I found myself pursuing all types of creative writing.  When I went to college, my first major was Journalism. I had a plan of creating a life around writing, putting to use my creative mind and insatiable curiosity.  That lasted about two weeks, my Journalism teacher made it clear that Journalism was not about writing or even reporting the truth, it was a business and the end goal was making money. This didn’t sit well with me so I pursued other options. Nothing tugged at me like writing did so I went where doors opened, landing in marketing after taking an internship to help support myself through college.

Now, 20 years in the coporate world later, the creative writing streak in me all but snuffed out, I’m finally opening the door again.  I enrolled in a writing class called The Daily Round Robin, perfect for a fledgling dreamer like me. For nine weeks I write for 10 minutes a day on a prompt that is provided by the instructor.  There is no editing, or reworking, each daily write is meant to develop a habit of writing and to unseat the editor/critic.

This blog is me putting myself out there, coming out of the closet so to speak. Not just to my friends but to myself.  I’d like to share so I can bring the dream of rediscovering my creative side to life.

So this blog is a collection of the daily writes we do for class.  Enjoy. Or don’t. I know I sure as hell am.