Lucy Lawrie
  • Welcome
  • Blog
  • About me
  • Books
  • New release!!
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

What do you want to be when you grow up?

17/10/2013

32 Comments

 
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
Richard Sutton link
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.

Reply
Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:11:52 pm

... and a Where's Wally? poster on the ceiling. (Or is that a UK thing?)

Reply
cromercrox link
17/10/2013 08:49:27 am

I want to be a rock start when I grow up. (I'm 51).

Reply
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!)

Reply
Charlotte link
17/10/2013 08:50:22 am

Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging, Lucy! Love your post. I too self-defined as an 'awfur' at the age of six. PS In my house, I have a future doctor, an actor and a Formula One driver.

Reply
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!

Reply
Julie Erwin link
17/10/2013 08:58:44 am

Waiting impatiently for your first novel, *taps foot*.

Reply
Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:28:44 pm

Thanks v much Julie :-) It's going to be March 7th I think now!

Reply
Mark Lloyd link
17/10/2013 09:08:42 am

Great post - from the heart.
M>

Reply
Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:30:10 pm

Thank you Mark! I so appreciate the support.

Reply
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?

Reply
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!

Reply
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...

Reply
Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:22:33 pm

Thanks Shuna. Love the mad professor idea. You could have one as your next MC!

Reply
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

Reply
Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:32:28 pm

Thanks Sheila. XX

Reply
Annielaural leFaye link
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.

Reply
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.

Reply
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...?!

Reply
Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:02:17 pm

I don't know... she seems quite demanding!

Reply
Joanna
17/10/2013 10:32:00 am

The 'retired dentist' made me laugh out loud! Lovely post, Lucy.

Reply
Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:33:30 pm

Thanks Joanna! I know, it's a weird one!

Reply
Matt
17/10/2013 10:48:40 am

You should always listen to your inner 6-year-old.

And if you don't just 'go for it' sometimes, you'll always wonder What If?

Congratulations on the book deal, I can't wait to read it!

Reply
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!

Reply
ute carbone link
17/10/2013 02:59:02 pm

Hmm, I hadn't considered being a retired dentist. Maybe... The new site looks terrific Lucy! Congratulations.

Reply
Lucy Lawrie
17/10/2013 05:27:35 pm

Thank you, Ute! :-)

Reply
Katja Weinert link
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.

Congrats on your deal and well done with the new website :)

Reply
Lucy Lawrie
19/10/2013 02:09:01 pm

Thank you so much Katja! I'm glad this rang true for you :-)

Reply
Patricia Dusenbury link
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.

Reply
Lucy Lawrie
22/10/2013 10:13:19 am

Thanks Pat. :-) Glad you liked the post and really hope you enjoy the book!

Reply
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

Reply
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

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About me...

    I write psychological fiction - gripping emotional page turners.

    The Child In My House, 
    The Last Day I Saw Her and Tiny Acts of Love are out now. 

    ​

    Archives

    September 2021
    December 2016
    April 2016
    June 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Categories

    All

    Keep in touch!

    Sign up here to receive email updates from me. 

    Be the first to hear about new releases, special offers, giveaways and my personal book recommendations.

    You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review my Privacy Policy.

    Thank you and welcome!

    You have successfully joined my email list! 

    .
Welcome
About Me 
Books
Reviews 
Media
Privacy Policy

Contact
  • Welcome
  • Blog
  • About me
  • Books
  • New release!!
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact