My mom saved this first "story" of mine. It's hardcore evidence that even at a young age I wanted to be a writer. Fortunately my spelling has come a long way. It also demonstrates that my love for animals and all living things began early on. We were still living in the bayou (Houma, LA) when I wrote it, and I believe the turtle's poor sense of direction led him into our yard. Mom had enough to deal with and ultimately Yertle the Turtle and the risk of salmonella completely sent her over the edge. We released him back into the bayou where he hopefully found a friend.
I'm not here for the followers, which isn't to say that I don't adore you, because I do! I'm not here to play games. I'm here for me because I love to write. I need to write like I need air, water, and donuts food. When I don't write, I start to suffocate and feel like the walls are closing in on me. It really is that simple.
I have a difficult time trusting people. I loathe drama and confrontation; I run the other way, fast. Unlike my life, My blog is drama free. This is my space to share my thoughts as I travel the road to my writer-y roots.
In first and second grade, I was bullied by a girl a year older than I whose name was Melanie. She had straight, dark hair atop a stocky body, a mean grin on her face, and dirty scuffed-up shoes. Every day at lunch she came over to casually peruse the contents of my Strawberry Shortcake lunch box. I remember I looked down at the rocks on the playground as she approached. I couldn't look at her face. Her shoes announced her. She took what she pleased. I didn't stand up for myself. I just let her.
When I was in sixth grade, there was a close-knit group of girls who weren't very nice to me. They had their own little clique and I wasn't really allowed to be a part of it. They bullied me not by stealing my lunch, but by saying nasty things to my face and behind my back. This time I tried to stand up for myself, but wasn't successful. I was relieved to graduate high school and start over at college where no one knew me.
This pattern has repeated itself throughout my life in various circumstances, but I'm not going to stand for it anymore, especially when it comes to me and my blog. Blogging to me is not about gossip, mud-slinging and nasty comments; it's about reading, writing, sharing ideas, giving constructive criticism, and letting my writer- self out of her shell where she can dare to share her innermost thoughts and stories.
I am standing up. I am not shutting it down. I will continue to write for me. As I have always done.
I'm just gonna write on.
