You can do It. yes, you.

For as long as I can remember, I've been a voracious reader, devouring anything with words on it, even reading milk jugs, juice cartons, and cereal boxes at the breakfast table. So, naturally, it didn't take long for me to acquire an interest in writing.

The first real memory I have of writing something for public consumption was for elementary class. It was a mystery, and it had a few red herrings in it, so I had quite a bit of fun telling my classmates they were incorrect in deducing the story or play 'Whodunnit'.

From that point on, my favorite classes were the ones that required writing, and I loved essay questions on tests, as they allowed me to flex my writing muscles. But my true desire was to become a great and famous published author, and for a long time, I thought I'd accomplish that goal too.

But then, as it often happens, life got in the way. I married young, had three young children back-to-back — my "stair-steps" as I call them — and my dreams were put on the back-burner, second to keeping the household above water. My then-husband was drug-addicted and of no great help to anyone, so it was all on me.

Fast-forward to a decade later, I still loved to write. I'd also obtained a bachelor in telecommunications, but was no closer to my dream of having a book published. One day at work, I had an idea, a story that I had to get out. I rushed home that evening and immediately started typing away, as if my hands were on fire.

I wrote like that for several weeks. Then, a terrible thing happened...I encountered writers block! 

That was nearly five years ago. 

Since then, I'd open up my word document on occasion, stared at the screen, willing positive thoughts and trying to recall motivational tips I'd come accross. Sometimes I even typed something, but not much.

It wasn't that I didn't want to write, I was discouraged. I was still blocked and I'd gotten to the point where I was constantly thinking about my age and how I'm too old to start professionally authoring. It was very demoralising.

But still, I did have a smidgen of hope...

During the last six years, I’ve been part of a band, whom I write songs for. The band was founded 20 years ago by my significant other, who is 54 and undaunted by age, and that helps me a lot; I figure if he can keep striving at his age, I can also keep striving at the age of 50.

However, when it came to my book, the one I’m convinced will be the 'next big thing,' I was still struggling and wished I could finish it.

Three months ago, I made myself a promise that I would work on my manuscript until it’s done. Coincidentally, not too long after I made that decision, I stumbled upon an article about a local bookstore that was participating in NaNoWriMo, an organisation that helps budding authors write their stories. In the article they spoke of needing writers. The bookstore wanted to have different writers each day for a month. I contacted them, was accepted, wrote my chapter and received positive feedback. The book should be released in the next few months, so I’ll be a published co-author. It’s not what I dreamed of, but I’ve also committed to telling myself it’s okay if I take baby steps; at least they’re steps in the right direction.

Something else that has also encouraged me is writing for online projects. I play on a virtual pet website and they have virtual books written by the players. I’ve submitted eight, and the first five were accepted and made into books for the site. The other three were denied at first for grammatical errors. Following a second submission, I’m expecting they will be accepted, and awaiting artwork from the site artists.

Recently, I read that J.R.R. Tolkien began writing the Lord of the Rings trilogy at the tender age of 45, just a few years younger than me. By the time the first book was published, Tolkien was 63. So I figure, since I’m just over 50, it’s not too late for me.

Motivated by this positive thought, I wrote a few more lines and also developed ideas for a section I was struggling to get past.

My message here is to grab onto any and all motivational tips that come your way. Use them and know that you can do it, that you can be great. Yes you!

...

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash