My earliest true exposure to writing was probably around the
age of 27 when I became secretary of a small town Industrial Developmental
Authority. I wrote all the marketing
information to attract potential businesses to our little city. Success brought attention and the invitation
to write magazine articles on our success.
That attention planted a seed in the back of my brain to write a mystery
rather than read them. That seed would germinate
for the next 15 years as I rose in another career. That career brought me to Indianapolis as a
District Manager, and after I had been here a few years, I brought that seed
out of the back of my brain and planted it.
I began my dream of writing. I
actually had burned 100 pages into the
novel when the unexpected happened; I lost my job. Emotionally, my life was devastated. All my self-confidence was gone. I was not worthy of another decent job. I went out and drove a cab. It would be just temporary. Weeks turned to months. Writing stopped. As I adjusted, I looked around. The people and the neighborhoods talked to
me. They gave me a different story. They gave me an idea of a better novel. They gave me the idea of The Zealot.
Keith,
ReplyDeleteI envy your cabbie job. The only job better for a writer might be barbering. Oh, yeah, I forgot, and bartending.
Kristen
I know! Bartending, driving a cab, maybe being a therapist--great jobs for writers.
ReplyDeleteAgatha Christie got some of her ideas while working alongside her husband on his archeological digs.
ReplyDeleteOk...that one may be unique!
Nothing funny to say here, my friend. We've both come a long way from those early days. I glad to have you there on the frontline with me. Mainly so you can take the flack, but still....:D
ReplyDeletekeith, clear and consise. i liked it! annie
ReplyDelete