We Were Meant to Be Awesome

I've been thinking a lot lately about what I want to be when I grow up. My degree is in American Sign Language. As such, I worked as an ASL Interpreter for a number of years. I've since gone down a different path and although I don't interpret anymore, I consider my years as an interpreter as some of the best years of my life.

In 2006, I started exploring writing. Two thousand seven, I was fortunate enough to land in Orson Scott Card's Literary Boot Camp. There I met other writers who are still my friends today. Outside of my immediate family, the people I care most about are the members of my critique group.

I don't write full time, not yet, but about three weeks ago, I achieved a goal: I published my first book. I bill myself as a writer of contemporary fantasy & horror. Imagine my surprise when my first book is traditional fantasy.

I'm really happy with how it turned out. It's got all the elements that, as a reader, I enjoy. Joss Whedon would approve, I think; the story has a total kick-a** female protagonist. Now, I've got to finish book two--a good problem to have.

As I consider the road that led to where I am today, I ask the question: What am I meant to be? An interpreter? A writer? A . . .

A friend of mine, Robison Wells, recently wrote an article on mental illness: Understanding Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, and OCD. He explains how his life changed from Business/MBA/Marketing professional to awesome author who happens to have a mental illness. He gives a unique perspective that many more people need to read. It got me thinking, and I took it to a bit of an extreme--did he need panic disorder, agoraphobia, and OCD in order to change his life path and become what he was meant to be? Is it a fair trade off?

Then I decided--no. I think all we're meant to be is awesome.

Thanks for that lesson, Rob.

Now, let's go forth and be what we were meant to be.