Hi all. Probably a very familiar introduction, but I've had the itch to write for years, started a few things, jotted down some "good ideas" for future use, but never actually finished writing anything. Be it self-doubt, life changes, general lack of time, or plain old procrastination I just can't seem to sit down and plough through! So I'm hoping joining what seems to be an encouraging community might help me make some progress and gain some pointers when I'm making the obvious mistakes.
The personal stuff - I'm getting close to 50 and at the tail end of a career in the military. I still consider myself a surfer although I haven't actually surfed in about 5 years, I've done a fairly broad range of jobs from bar work and bouncing to being an usher in a cinema, been unemployed and been asked to become an Assistant Manager in a hotel. I couldn't apply myself at school, leaving with poor grades and the stereotypical "doesn't reach his potential" reports, but always found time to read and watch films. Now I'm loving being a husband and a father and talking about good times with old friends - hoping to make some new ones here.
The writing has always been in bursts, in the background, probably dismissed as a dream; One massive sprawling fantasy idea which I began exploring nearly 20 years ago and put on hold about 5 years later, one large collection of anecdotes from life and my military career which I'll eventually boil down, find the angle and the voice and complete, and one kids story I started writing for the nephews as a Christmas story (and personal writing challenge) a couple of years ago but, as usual, never finished.
So I'm hoping to explore these elements and maybe get some encouraging words here and perhaps my opinions and life experiences can bring something to the writing of others, even if it's nothing more than a unique perspective.
Mine's a white Russian - drinks are on me.
The personal stuff - I'm getting close to 50 and at the tail end of a career in the military. I still consider myself a surfer although I haven't actually surfed in about 5 years, I've done a fairly broad range of jobs from bar work and bouncing to being an usher in a cinema, been unemployed and been asked to become an Assistant Manager in a hotel. I couldn't apply myself at school, leaving with poor grades and the stereotypical "doesn't reach his potential" reports, but always found time to read and watch films. Now I'm loving being a husband and a father and talking about good times with old friends - hoping to make some new ones here.
The writing has always been in bursts, in the background, probably dismissed as a dream; One massive sprawling fantasy idea which I began exploring nearly 20 years ago and put on hold about 5 years later, one large collection of anecdotes from life and my military career which I'll eventually boil down, find the angle and the voice and complete, and one kids story I started writing for the nephews as a Christmas story (and personal writing challenge) a couple of years ago but, as usual, never finished.
So I'm hoping to explore these elements and maybe get some encouraging words here and perhaps my opinions and life experiences can bring something to the writing of others, even if it's nothing more than a unique perspective.
Mine's a white Russian - drinks are on me.