A Writer’s Dream

“Everyone get a friend and one long sheet of paper.”

Our fifth grade art class did as we were bid. We took turns. I laid down on my paper and my friend traced my outline on it.  Once done, our teacher gave us an assignment.

“I want each of you to take your paper and draw yourself dressed as what you want to be when you grow up.”

It only took me a second to decide what that was going to be. I colored my pants blue and my shirt red. I drew tennis shoes on my feet and a smile on my face.

I then drew the accessories that would make my future occupation stand out.

In the right hand I drew a pencil. 

I drew a square for my name tag. On it I wrote, “Anastacia Clark, Writter”

Yes, I really did spell it “Writter.”

I loved books and at that time my favorites were Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, and Little Women. I was fascinated by the fact the heroines of all those books were writers. Someone wrote those books that I enjoyed escaping to.

My previous dream of being a librarian turned into a greater dream of being a writer.

On the last day of 6th grade, my homeroom teacher told us we could write or draw anything we wanted. I wrote a story. My teacher liked it so much that she wanted to keep it as an example for her future classes. I was so proud that I agreed. But later wished I had at least kept a copy of it for my mom. 

I wrote many poems and stories throughout my lifetime. In Junior High, I started writing a book in a notepad. I lost it. I was so disappointed that I didn’t start over. My great writing dreams soon turned into just a hobby I enjoyed. I didn’t take it as seriously anymore.

I no longer thought of my writing as a viable career choice. I guess I listened to the external voices that led me to believe that writing wasn’t a good career choice.

If I had just followed my dream while I was making that critical decision, I might have not dropped out of college. I should have pursued journalism and creative writing. At the time, I didn’t even think of that as an option.

I married my wonderful husband, Scott, in November of 1996. He has always been my biggest fan. He encouraged me to write articles for our church. I also continued to write poems.

My husband worried about me when I became discouraged and let my writing fall by the wayside. Scott kept asking me, “You’re not giving up on writing, are you?”

Then last year I joined Tribe Writers and my whole writing attitude changed. That is when I realized that I am a writer and have always been one.

No longer am I dreaming. It is now my reality.

I went to a writers’ conference this year and received my own name tag. This time I spelled all the words correctly. “Anastacia Maness, Writer.”

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Are you living your dream? When did you realize it?  Please share with me in the comments.

I’ve written my story here as an entry in the You Are a Writer Contest at PositiveWriter.com.

If you enjoy writing, you should check out Bryan Hutchinson’s blog. He writes encouraging posts geared towards writers. Friday, August 30th is the last day for contest entries. Let me know if you’ve entered. I would love to read your story.

 

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About Anastacia Maness

Anastacia Maness is a preacher's wife, homeschooling mother of 6 blessings, and writer. When she's not busy counting her blessings she's writing about them right here on her blog, encouraging and strengthening families.

8 Replies to “A Writer’s Dream”

  1. Pamela Hodges

    You are a writter. I love the extra t, it means you really meant it. May I always be a writter. Here is a toast to extra t’s. I love your writing, this story is really wonderful.

    Reply
    • Anastacia Maness

      Thanks, Pamela! It’s funny that extra ‘T’. I think I was spelling it like I pronounced it. “Write-ter” LOL But I knew there wasn’t an ‘e’ in there so I dropped the ‘e’ and added ‘ter’. Good thing I wasn’t dreaming of being an English instructor. 😀

      Reply
  2. Anne Peterson

    Loved your post Anastacia. It’s been fun to read everyone’s entries and to realize our discovery of our passion came at different times in our lives, but the passion is the same. To take words and weave them into something special. I’m so thankful God let our paths cross.

    Reply

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