Thanks so much, Carin. We all need these reminders. Even the most confident writers, too, need reminders of the magic. It’s easy to lose the thread in the midst of a busy life. But with help we find it again.

When people ask me what I do, my heart starts beating fast. I tell them I am a secretary and move the conversation along. They don’t know I am always writing in my head, staying up until the wee hours of the morning working on blog posts and writing chapters for my first book before waking early to get three daughters off to school.

Thank you for reminding me who I am this morning.

I am a writer.

Well done to you and your husband. We have to be always conscious, always reconsidering.

So true, my husband and I often catch ourselves placing demands on our kids that would be unthinkable to place on the children of others that we teach. It is a constant battle to remind ourselves how important those imaginary friends are and how much we can learn from them.

What a wonderful story of your own success, Victoria! It’s crazy the ways people try to shut down the natural creativity of children. So glad to hear you kept your vision. Hurrah!

In reading this piece it evoked a deep sense of camaraderie, I too belonging to the belonging to the shameful world of the “different” as a teen. Whenever I wanted to say something to someone that I considered important I would write it to them, as if the mere act of committing the words to paper endowed them with authority. I did get in trouble for a few dirty limericks I penned in middle school but that didn’t dissuade me.

I recall one high school teacher in particular – at every parent teacher conference he would complain to my mother that, “Victoria’s sense of humor, although quite developed, is entirely inappropriate to her gender.” Yes, that is correct he actually said GENDER, not to my age, not for the classroom environment, but to my gender! Sugar and spice… Is it my fault I was all hot curry and cayenne pepper?

For my father the world came to an end when I decided to study Literature and Dramatic Arts. As far as he was concerned anything but engineering school was a road to depravity and abject poverty. At the age of 80, now that I am finally getting a novel published, he is finally changing his tune. I’n not a total failure and disappointment any longer. The most important was that a few years back I too realized that if I din’t believe in and stand behind my work no one else would either.

I really envy your students K.A. – I’m sure you are a wonderful teacher!

Long overdue, Patti. I even saw a write up of a collection that called you a ‘veteran writer’ so even if you shy away from the term, others recognise you. But you really should.

Aw thanks, Seamus! They are indeed. 🙂