I put this question to my daughters the other day. My eight year old wants to be an astrophysicist. Or an alchemist (because obviously, they are so similar). My three year old’s answer? A princess. Their friend, rather intriguingly, wants to be a retired dentist.
I spent years thinking I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I started a psychology degree, only to switch to English literature after having an Emily Dickinson moment walking home from a lecture. After I’d finished, homesickness drew me back to Edinburgh, where I went back to university to study law, and then entered the world of work as a commercial lawyer. Several years later, I was on maternity leave when I discovered a Primary Two homework jotter in which I’d written: ‘I want to be an AUTHOR when I grow up.’ The word ‘author’ had been rubbed out and written in again, in wobbly, smudged letters. Aged six, I’d been quite clear about what I wanted to do, even if I couldn’t spell it myself. But I hadn’t admitted it again for nearly thirty years. Even after I started my novel, people were only told on a need-to-know basis. And if I did tell anyone, I downplayed my writing, saying it was just something to keep my brain ticking over while looking after young children. Meanwhile, my six-year-old self was looking on, rolling her eyes. So why the big secret? If you ask a room full of young children if any of them are good at writing – or painting, or singing, or dancing - nearly all of them will raise their hands. If you ask a room full of adults, the majority of arms will remain firmly glued to sides. I wasted so much time worrying about whether I was good at writing, when I should have simply been doing it. It took me ages to realise that writing is about jumping right in, getting messy, making mistakes, doing it for the fun of seeing what will happen next. Being a mother to two wild, wonderful girls gave me back the freedom I’d lost somewhere along the way. It doesn’t end there, though. If you’re aiming to get published, you must learn to step outside of your work and take feedback on board, to edit, refine and polish. You need to accept that some ideas are marketable and some aren’t. Your work will be rejected, repeatedly. All of this hurts. There are many, many reality checks along the way. But every time, you need to find your way back to the imaginary world you’ve created, and learn how to play there again. There’ll be a spark there, which is the reason you became a writer, and everything you do needs to come from that. Now I’m lucky enough to have a publishing deal and my first novel is about to make its way into the world. It is an amazing feeling to be sure, finally, of what I want to do, and to be in a position to give it everything I’ve got. And if it doesn’t work out, well maybe it’s not too late to retrain as a retired dentist.
32 Comments
17/10/2013 08:48:45 am
Great post. It's never too late, until it is. Best get it out of your system as early as you can before falling back to that cushy, reclinable procedure chair with the big light and built-in sink.
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:11:52 pm
... and a Where's Wally? poster on the ceiling. (Or is that a UK thing?)
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:18:34 pm
Go for it! (I know, I didn't address the growing up side of the equation!)
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:26:44 pm
Thanks, Charlotte! Isn't that funny you did the same thing. Love the career choices... you'll be basking in reflected glory!
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17/10/2013 08:58:44 am
Waiting impatiently for your first novel, *taps foot*.
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:28:44 pm
Thanks v much Julie :-) It's going to be March 7th I think now!
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:30:10 pm
Thank you Mark! I so appreciate the support.
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Sara Crowe
17/10/2013 09:26:47 am
Lovely! And love the bit about the little girl who wants to be a retired dentist! Did she give any reason for that thoroughly surreal choice?
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:06:58 pm
I asked my daughter earlier if she knew why, and she said (in a very worldweary voice) 'because she couldn't think of anything else'. Obviously, that would be the first thing that sprung to mind!
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Shuna
17/10/2013 09:41:12 am
Great post Lucy - you're a natural! When I was little I wanted to be a mad professor when I grew up... I think it was because I liked the idea of being termed eccentric! I have since tried to grow up and to fit in with everyone else but...
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:22:33 pm
Thanks Shuna. Love the mad professor idea. You could have one as your next MC!
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Sheila
17/10/2013 10:10:18 am
Love this post and can't wait for your book :-) Also love the career choices the girls have made! X
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:32:28 pm
Thanks Sheila. XX
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17/10/2013 10:29:19 am
Lucy..lovely..I always rush through blog posts but I wanted to read all of yours. A picture of your novel cover would be a natural on this page. Add it as soon as it is available. And tell us where we can buy it. Amazon? Is there an e-version for those of us who live in USA? Tell us it is coming!! cause I am certain it is.
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:01:20 pm
Annielaural, thank you! I hope to be posting the cover soon! It'll be in both print and e-versions and through Amazon I'm sure.
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Jane Farquharson
17/10/2013 10:30:46 am
Love the new blog. Surely your six-year-old self must be happy with you now...?!
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:02:17 pm
I don't know... she seems quite demanding!
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Joanna
17/10/2013 10:32:00 am
The 'retired dentist' made me laugh out loud! Lovely post, Lucy.
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:33:30 pm
Thanks Joanna! I know, it's a weird one!
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Matt
17/10/2013 10:48:40 am
You should always listen to your inner 6-year-old.
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:15:46 pm
Hope she doesn't get power-hungry though! Who knows where it could end! Dressing up as a witch and going around with a 'catcher-sack', if the other entries in the homework book are anything to go by!
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17/10/2013 02:59:02 pm
Hmm, I hadn't considered being a retired dentist. Maybe... The new site looks terrific Lucy! Congratulations.
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Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:27:35 pm
Thank you, Ute! :-)
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18/10/2013 11:36:28 am
Fab post. "There are many, many reality checks along the way. But every time, you need to find your way back to the imaginary world you’ve created, and learn how to play there again." I've found that too.
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Lucy Lawrie
19/10/2013 02:09:01 pm
Thank you so much Katja! I'm glad this rang true for you :-)
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21/10/2013 12:10:25 pm
Great introductory post, Lucy. I enjoyed reading and really look forward to reading your book when it comes out.
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Lucy Lawrie
22/10/2013 10:13:19 am
Thanks Pat. :-) Glad you liked the post and really hope you enjoy the book!
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Carolyn Pearson
31/10/2013 08:20:22 am
Since I found out about your book I have been so excited to read it. Great blog and website! It really is very inspiring to hear your story. Good luck with the launch x
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Lucy Lawrie
31/10/2013 01:36:56 pm
Thank you, Carolyn! I'm so happy you looked up my website. :-) I'll keep you posted on the book, and the launch etc. x
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About me...I write psychological fiction - gripping emotional page turners. Archives
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