If I can do it, so can you….how I redefined myself...
Change is always a daunting prospect for all of us. Hand on
heart, I don’t think many of us like to change things too much. I know I never
did. I also had the added pressure that I didn’t have a second person bringing
in an income to keep us afloat whilst I changed my life. It was always a gamble
that would directly affect my children’s lives. I am sure some of my critics
would argue that I was selfish in following my dreams without any safety net.
However, when you are diagnosed with an illness it sort of puts your whole life
into perspective.
Suddenly I was thrown into the world of the unknown and that
was my catalyst for change. I was a successful Insurance Broker but knew the
long distances and time away from my family was not something I wanted to
continue. I was unhappy, miserable in fact. I did a lot of soul searching and
at first discounted leaving my job because of the lack of security.
Unfortunately my hand was forced and it was time to make that change.
I wanted to spread my wings and leave my individual stamp on
this earth. I wanted more of a legacy than two gorgeous children and let’s face
it, if we bring them up right, one day they fly the nest. The prospect of being
alone with no-one and being deaf absolutely petrified me.
I enrolled on a Business Information Systems course at Leeds
Metropolitan University and received an unconditional offer. I was also
eligible for a student loan and grant. The plan was starting to come together.
For three years I slogged hard and came away with a 1st
class honours degree and the McGraw Hill outstanding achievement award for best
results on a computing course. Graduating at forty three year old is quite an exhilarating
experience.
After graduation I didn’t know what to do again. I was at a
crossroads in my life once more. With the unpredictability of my illness I
needed something that would fit around the bouts of dizziness and the great
social life my kids have!
On Boxing Day I finished reading Wuthering Heights and
really, really enjoyed it AGAIN but more so this time. I picked up my laptop
and started to write a love story involving a character called Annie. She was
my heroine. I also knew I wanted to include rugby league. For three solid days
I formulated the characters and continued to write. I can honestly say I had no
idea where the story was going, who would be included and it wasn’t until I had
written the first six chapters that the book was turned into a crime novel.
Chapter three became Chapter One and so Beyond the Past was born.
I know it’s unorthodox and some writers are probably shaking
their head in disgust reading this but that is how my writing career started.
Once the book was written I set up the website and the blog and started to put
myself out there, so to speak.
My children have been so supportive. I even asked if they
wanted me to use a pen name (you know how children find their parents
embarrassing but they didn’t). They wanted me to write and follow my dreams
just as I encourage them to follow theirs.
I am incredibly proud how far I have come in such a short
space of time and keep having to pinch myself when I get up on a morning and
have the pleasure in doing something that I absolutely love. And I couldn’t
have done that without the support of my children, my publishers and all of
you.
Go on have a go and follow your dreams.......
p.s. my new found confidence has led me to follow my other beliefs too #JFT96 God Bless
I love hearing about other writers' process. I don't think there is a "right" way because it does seem more like a journey. That you read "Wuthering Heights," sat down with a character and wanted to include the rugby league is somehow incredibly inspiring! My son-in-law has Menieres, and yet he, too pursues his dreams (he's a geologist). Great post! Cheers to following dreams!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words. I like to know how other writers develop their art too. Very best wishes to you :)
Delete