I knew I was supposed to be a writer; I had made that declaration in the closet of my soul - Padgett Powell

I have a lovely little book called "Walking On Alligators" by Susan Shaughnessy. It's 203 pages of meditations of encouragement for writers. I think all writers should have small reminders for themselves, a voice that speaks uniquely to who you are deep inside. I am a firm believer in helping others to reach further than they believe possible but sometimes the favor is not returned. Since I am practical in all things, I have learned to buoy myself up during down times and my favorite way is through other writers thoughts. These are the precious souls who know where I am, how I yearn to write and some days do everything but show up on the page even though I know it is what makes me truly whole. Sometimes I liken it to taking medicine that will help me during an illness but gagging throughout the entire process. I need to write. It is almost as essential to me as breath. Have you ever felt this way? Then you, my friend, are a writer.

I often have people ask me when my book is being published. Where is it already? I study a lot of things about writers and my answer is usually 'it will come in time, the time it is meant to be'. It took J.R.R. Tolkien twelve years to write "Lord of the Rings" and I suspect now, decades later as it still provides income for his descendants it was probably an insignificant amount of time in the scheme of things.
I write daily but I also care for a home, for a family, for a business, and for myself. Many things demand my time and it used to drive me insane when I couldn't write more. One day I realized through the written words of others that "A writer's life is her work" and I stopped obsessing so much. I started to write on small pieces of paper tucked in my purse while I was volunteering in school, waiting at the stoplight, wandering around the grocery store. Life was showing me colors, people, situations and when I stopped long enough to catch my breath, I realized some days I needed to live so I could write more fully and add life to my characters, to my words.
I am a writer. Now, every day, in so many ways, I write.

You don't become a writer when your work is published or even praised. You become a writer when you tell yourself that is what you are. I was meant to be a writer. I may write differently than what I was instructed to in school but I am a writer. I may not always write about subjects that you enjoy but I am a writer. And as Susan assures me today, "Your membership card as a writer is issued in the closet of your soul". She's right; I am a writer.

This thought is for my friends; the writers, poets, photographers, and the other amazingly artistic people I am honored to have in my life. I love you all. I am in awe of your talents. You inspire me. I hope you never lack for a reassuring word about your art. I also hope you choose today to boldly proclaim to yourself and the world exactly who you are creatively.