Write What You Know…
The edict given to all aspiring writers. What I know. What I know.
In my earlier years I could spout off all the facts about horses and ponies. I could tell you what was the best/fastest route to ride my bike to Renee’s house. And I could rattle off names and facts about just about everyone in my class.
What I couldn’t write about, what I didn’t know, was how to navigate socially. I had a few friends, pretty good ones, but I was the fat little kid starting in 4th grade. I was snickered at, made fun of. Bullying they would call it now. And the label stuck, making me socially awkward even after dropping 25 lbs and growing a couple of inches before junior high.
Early teens are harsh. I do not have happy memories of my school years, no stories about parties after football games, no invitations for the pep club.I read a lot, and my senior year they opened a new school and the few friends I had were transferred away.
What I have found, by trial and error, is kindness is a strong trait in people like me. Kindness will win out. One of the best leaders in my “career” job (I tried a few others first) was shy man, a kind man. Many I worked with mocked him, were suspicious of him and didn’t know if they trusted him. To me, he was always open, he was nice. His wife was nice. As I looked around, I noticed the ones who I considered successful and who I admired were the genuinely nice people. I have always tried to be nice, to be kind, because so many were not kind to me.
And I like it. I now only want to surround myself with kind people and I distance myself from those who are perhaps a little less than.
They say when women hit 55-60 they hit their stride. It took me a few more years than the average, but honey, I’m there now.
Left To Write 