In my life, I have noticed that it is the creative ones among us who get laughed at. When I was in my early teens, and told my mom I wanted to be a writer, she scoffed at me. Said I needed to make something of my life. SHE wanted me to [of all things] work on blood cell reproduction, finding a cure for cancer or some such thing!

My older sister wanted to be an artist: she had been painting such she was fifteen, Mom told her no, she would be a teacher.

My younger sister wanted to live overseas: Mom wanted her to be a stay at home mom. And my brother the songwriter? She wanted him to be a salesman, even though he had won a talent contest at his high school, at age 14.

Well I ended up a writer and a poet, my older sister is an artist and a sculptress; my younger sister was in France for 5 years, as a translator, and is now a French teacher; and my brother is a singer songwriter working on his fourth CD this year. He tried the salesman-thing, but it just wasn't who he is.

A great truth in life is that if you are creative, the majority of those around you do not know what that means. They especially are confused about writers. Here's a classic conversation when I meet someone new:
"So. What do you do for a living, dear?"
"I'm a writer."
"Oh. Are you published?"

Apparently, to most people, if you're not published, you're not a writer! If only they knew how hard it is to pounce on a passion like writing, hold onto it like a bucking bronco, and write really, really well. So I get around the are you published' clich by saying I'm working on my first mystery/suspense novel. Luckily that turns the conversation towards what it's about: now I'm more than willing to discuss plot. red herrings, sub plots, and romantic characters. Now I get to have fun.

Sadly enough however, my mom passed away a few years before I got to the point where I had what it takes TO write a novel. My siblings also followed their creative passions in life. My poor brother was subjected to the old "Yeah right. You'll be back." remark from friends. Like writing, people see being successful at songwriting and singing as hitting a million to one shot. And maybe it is, but artists like writers, songwriters, and sculptors make it in life BECAUSE they are talented.

What I mentally call "the common people" [those who aren't creative] are drawn to talented, creative people, because it is fascinating to come face-to-face with that one in a million shot.

But I know in my heart that my novel will interest agents and the like, once it's finished, because it has fleshed out, complex characters and a great plot, just as I know my poetry will probably never get me anywhere, - but I write both because I feel I'm dying if I don't write. Those words, feelings, and passions resonate through who I am, as a person. No matter how much others scoff, truly creative people succeed in their visions and goals in life. I intend to be one of them, no matter how long and hard I must work to get there. It's who I am, and will ALWAYS be.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Beach.
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