I’m a Writer?

Writing fills my cup, and that is not something I expected at this stage of my life. Last night I finished another session in my Hands & Feet series, and I invited a few friends and close confidants to sit in the room to lend me extra courage. The topic was “Your Story,” and the whole point was to equip and encourage people to write down their Testimony too.

Where am I?

A few months ago, a dear friend encouraged me to not just know my Testimony but to document it. Once I got my story on paper, it brought a clarity about my life that I did not see coming. If you’d like to read it, it’s posted here: My Story · WeStart Together.

So, am I a writer? I would say no. English was not my best subject in school. I’m more of a science and math nerd, though I have always enjoyed reading. And I like stories. They are engaging, and I learn so much when people put themselves out there. In-person storytelling feels like a dying art now that our phones entertain us, but whenever I meet a true storyteller, I’m all in. In the workplace, storytelling can be a real skill, and I’ve worked with a few good people who learned to apply it in a corporate setting.

I’ll be honest about this morning, too. I didn’t feel great after last night’s session. I’m going to chalk it up to my inner introvert being over it and wanting a quiet room after putting myself out there for several hours. Stepping out on this limb is anything but comfortable.

What do I bring?

I bring my truth, and how I see the world. Most days I keep my rosy-colored glasses on, my glass is half full, and I will continue to talk about the potential in something even when I’m getting blank stares in return.

I also bring something I picked up during my short season with Toastmasters. If you haven’t heard of it, I highly recommend finding a local chapter: Toastmasters International. One of the club’s main goals is to help people get better at public speaking. That means you write speeches, just like in high school English class, and then you stand up in front of people and give your speech. There are assigned roles to give you constructive feedback, and even a role to count your filler words, the ummms and ahhhs that we all say from time to time.

I gained a lot of courage there, but the most important lesson was this: when it was my turn to speak, I looked for the eye contact or the smiling face that let me know my voice was heard and my story matters. In my opinion, that engagement runs stronger at Toastmasters because everyone knows their turn is coming to stand up in front of the group and put themselves out there too. I appreciate the people in my audience who are smiling at me and encouraging me to continue.

How do I move forward?

In my current season, I’m doing something I have never done before. I haven’t been much into journaling, and with my track record in English class, I never felt the desire to write a book. But I do have stories to share. I have experiences I want to get out into the world, with a strong hope that someone will feel seen and heard.

One of the friends I invited last night is a retired school teacher. I have the utmost respect for the teaching profession, and my favorite aunt was a sixth grade teacher. But teachers can also make me a little nervous. Maybe that goes back to my school days. This morning she sent me a text:

“You are developing your own framework. That’s a tough job, and you are a natural. Keep at it. Time with God’s direction will tell. Read, read, read, write, write, write. That’s what Authors do. That’s what you are. An author.”

So my next step is a small one: keep writing, and see how God will direct my path in His timing.

I know a few others who are doing something similar, and they are uncomfortable too. Do you know someone who is trying to change directions or do something completely new? Are you that person? Let me give you my encouragement and support, and if you would, please pay that support forward to your network and friends.

Come sit with me in the space between. Loose Ends lands every Wednesday. Real talk from the unfinished, one honest moment at a time.

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