Monday, June 7, 2010

Anatomy of a Dream

As evidenced by the content of this blog, one of my biggest dreams (for a really, really long time, might I add!) has been becoming a doctor.

Another, hidden inconspicuously within each and every word of this blog, is to become a published author. Picture this: a ten year old Erin, writing an assignment for her fourth grade language arts teacher about the absolute miracle that happened to her just a few weeks prior. A week later, she receives the assignment with the teacher's comments, and the only things she had said were "I'm speechless. Wonderful job." Back at home, I had an uncle who was an English professor, and he was elated to find that I had honed these expressive language skills. I would talk about writing with him for more hours than you and I can count. "What's the best way to get better?" I'd ask. "Practice. Every single day." he'd answer sincerely.

And so, for the last ten years, it's what I've done. I've practiced. Every. Single. Day. After browsing some tearful inspiration for the last couple nights, I developed the idea for my memoir to be written in a series. Since I'm twenty, I'll write the manuscripts in increments of five years. Though I want to keep many details under wraps for now, I'll have you know that I am working more diligently than ever this summer to make A's in my courses and to make my dream a reality. It is my dream. With the ideas that I have and the heart that I've developed for the art that is the written word, I'm confident that it will happen. I will write things that no one has ever heard me say out loud. I will write my heart. I will write my soul. I will hope to connect with my readers in such a way that they will understand my perspective, empathize with it, and internalize it.

Most of all, I'll write because I love it. I'll write because it's my voice, and I'll write because words are the most beautiful things I've ever seen, and I'm so blessed to be able to use them.

4 comments:

  1. Yes, using words is a blessing.

    Best wishes.

    Practise every day, like your Uncle said.

    (Practice=noun. Practise=verb).

    Write your heart. Write your soul. Write down the bones.

    On the 6th June 2010, there was a relevant blog by Mary Carroll Moore:

    http://howtoplanwriteanddevelopabook.blogspot.com/2010/06/when-bad-things-happen-to-us-or-to.html

    It is all about writing emotion.

    Five-year increments sound really good.

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  2. Good morning! I'm not announcing a Nobel Prize, unfortunately, but hope it's almost as good to know that you've received an award from lil' ol' moi ... :)

    http://foodfloozie.blogspot.com/2010/06/blog-with-substance-mine.html

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  3. I wish you the best of luck. Be sure to stop by Miami during your signing tour. :)

    My mom and I have both read your blog. I may have been a little starstruck when I introduced it to her!
    It went a little something like:
    "Look ma, read! She was a preemie, too! And, omg, she's premed!! AND she loves P&S..I LOVE Washington Heights! Lookie, lookie!"

    I think it's amazing how you can take words that are essentially empty and fill them with such emotion. Not many people have that gift or the patience to practise.

    I used your blog as an example during a speech on influential blogs for my public speaking course.

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  4. I can't wait to read your memoir!!! And I'll be able to say I knew you when ;)

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