Writing Challenge: What Is Your Earliest Memory of Writing?
By: Southern Gypsy
Tags: Blogging, Writer, Ｍedium, Creativity, Writing

Writing Challenge: What Is Your Earliest Memory of Writing?

Photo by Lukas

“I used to think I was the strangest person in the world. But then I thought there are so many people in the world there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it’s true. I’m here, and I’m just as strange as you.” — Frida Kahlo

Hi! I’m Shane, a life long tinker of the written word and performing arts. I used to feel like the strangest person in the room. I didn’t quite fit in and I certainly marched to a different beat. That’s how I fell in love with writing. Putting my thoughts and feelings onto paper gave my voice a home, a place where it belonged.

The Beginning

I remember watching a movie with my grandmother as a little girl and seeing a character journal their thoughts. At the age of four, I was blown away by the idea of thoughts manifesting into words on paper. I asked my grandmother for a notebook that night. After she gave me a tiny green spiral notebook, I began journaling my thoughts for the very first time. In reality, they were just scribbles because I had yet to learn how to write. But it was the beginning of a life long endeavour. As I grew older, those scribbles developed into real journaling, which transitioned into poetry. And eventually, the poetry transitioned into essays, articles, and blog posts.

Photo by Ric Mershon

Away From Writing

Over the years, I developed a career outside of writing. In performing arts and entertainment production, I performed and produced entertainment for my own company. Our audiences and clients included celebrities, high-profile figures, and diplomats. I was featured on TV shows and magazine covers. And even though the nature of my relationship with writing changed, it remained a constant friend. Now after spending over 10 years as an entertainment producer, I’m thrilled to dedicate more time to writing.

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” — Richard Bach

The Return to Writing

I’ve never been a full-time writer. In fact, I’m constantly trying to improve my writing skills. So, as a new contributor to The Med Writer, I look forward to connecting with a community of like-minded storytellers and contributors. I can only imagine the potential for growth from creative accountability, feedback, fellowship, and support.

Since the start of my journey with my little green spiral notebook, I never imagined I’d still be at it, scribbling away. In the last 7 years, content creation has been my focus. That meant blogging about topics like entertainment, travel, and fitness. While I enjoy it, it has meant confining my voice. And as I reflect upon my writing and where I want it to go, I’ve discovered that I’ve become shy about opening up about myself. I hope that by writing on Medium, I can change that.

I also look forward to sharing stories about writing, blogging, writer tips, freelancing, and my journey as a writer. But in the meantime, I would like to turn the pen over to you for this writing challenge. What is your first memory of writing?