Living the Writing Dream

by Emily Brown

There was once a little girl in a wheelchair who dreamed of writing. She hoped that one day, if she worked hard enough, she could make that dream come true. I never knew that dream would come true so early.

I thought it would have taken five or ten years after college. I would have never guessed it would happen in my second year of college. It gives me hope for life beyond education. If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s if I work hard enough and have enough passion, I can make that little disabled girl’s dream come true.

Like most people, I wanted to be many things when I grew up. Some of my dreams were to be a teacher, a pastor, a waitress. But I don’t remember wanting anything as much as being a writer. I have this vivid daydream of a future me, a full-time author, surrounded by fancy books in a cozy library, wearing a nice sweater, and handwriting a novel.

This dream makes me laugh. Right now, I am sitting in my living room in my PJs, using my trash can as a footrest, typing on my MacBook Pro and dual monitor (oh, yes! I’m one of those assholes) and talking to some online writing friends.

Although it’s different from my childhood dream of writing, I like it better. I’m more comfortable. I’m not lonely, and my hand isn’t cramping. Even when I had that dream, I had a fire in my heart. I remember knowing I was going to be a writer some day.

Writing has been my escape for 13 years now. It has always been my light in the darkness. It’s how I express my voice to the world. I feel like I have a purpose when I write.

I recently landed a writing job at a small medical supply company. I do blog posts, mass emails, report summaries, and other projects. The job is amazing.

Even though the job isn’t novel writing, it’s still writing. I’m working on my craft. I’m learning new skills and techniques daily. This job gives me hope that I can find a career somewhere in writing. I’m interested in everything from publishing to editing to marketing.

***

I started taking my writing somewhat seriously in high school with my writing club. It was a social club, and I mainly used my writing as an escape from my shitty mental health and loneliness. The dream of being a writer was in the back of my mind, but I was more focused on getting through class than the ‘seeing yourself in 20 years’ question.

When it came time to start thinking about after high school and finding the right college for me, that became tricky… and heartbreaking. The picture of me writing in that cozy library kept popping up in my mind. I knew I wanted to pursue writing, but I also knew I needed some way to pay the bills after college. I was stuck between my passion and my future.

From the beginning of my senior year to this past summer, I tucked writing away. I tried to tell myself it was just a hobby or a childish dream. I needed to be more practical. I declared a double major in Legal Studies and Creative Writing, thinking I could help people as an attorney during the day and work on my writing at night.

And then this summer, something amazing and dangerous happened. I fell in love with writing more than ever. I was outlining novels and making relatable characters. One night, I was lost in my own world, and it hit me like a train: Writing is what I want to do with my life.

The realization made my heart flutter and broke it in a million pieces. I got a whisper in my ear, telling me that law was not my passion. It was faint, but it was there. Still, I ignored the feeling. I told myself I was tired and high on summertime happiness.

Writing has been my escape for 13 years now. It has always been my light in the darkness.

Jumping ahead seven months, I finally listened to that voice in my head and dropped my Legal Studies major. I am now a Creative Writing and Professional Writing double major. On top of my new job and major change, I am working towards my dream of being a #1 New York Times Bestselling author. I am currently 6,000 words into my first manuscript and have full intentions of finishing it this year.

The time I get to open my Scrivener file and jump into my own world is my absolute favorite part of the day. I could not be happier with my decision to dedicate my life to writing, and I can’t wait to live out my childhood dreams.