Once, I said to my friend Helen, “I’m just not the writer I thought I was.”
“Don’t say that!” she said.
“Oh, I don’t mean I’m a lousy writer,” I told her. “I just mean that I always thought I would write literary high fantasy. But it turns out I’m better at funny, realistic fiction.” I don’t know why this was surprising to me. My friends all tell me that I’m funny. They make me tell the same stories over and over again. My series, Accidentally Fabulous, came into being because an editor friend suggested I write about “all those funny stories you tell about high school.”
Funny stories? Did she mean the tragically sad stories about what a hopeless nerd I was? Yes! And she was willing to pay money for them.
The funny thing is, those stories come naturally to me. But I still find myself wishing I were more “literary” sometimes. I think many people tend to devalue things that they are good at. Take Michael Jordan, for example. He’s one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In the early 1990’s, everyone in the world wanted to play basketball like Michael Jordan. Everyone—that is—except for Michael Jordan, who abruptly left basketball to pursue a career in baseball. Did you even know that? Are you old enough to remember it?
He wasn’t bad. Good enough to play in the minor leagues, which is a pretty decent accomplishment on its own. But he was Michael Jordan. In the end, I guess he decided to honor his gift.
It isn’t always easy to know what our gifts are. But I think that if the universe seems to reward your effort in a certain area, it’s important to honor your own accomplishments, and not write them off or spend your time trying to be something that you’re not. Of course, I also think that MJ was incredibly brave for trying something different when he didn’t have to. I’m sure he doesn’t regret his time in baseball.
But I’m sure he doesn’t regret going back to basketball, either.
Honor your gift.
6 Comments
I remember that Michael Jordan played baseball, because they make fun of his decision in the movie “Space Jam.” I’m a 1990s kid and proud of it.
I kinda agree, you are REALLY humorous, I loved some of your books because they re like real life problems and so funny! I’d recommend write more of those books, and while you’re waiting, try writing some fantasy books, maybe it’s a partner, or maybe you could rite high fantasies but add in humor and real life problems. Anyways good luck on what ever project you’re working on!!!! Best of luck,
I know exactly what you mean. I’m proud of my writing, but I don’t write what I thought I would write. Not a bad thing, but certainly surprising!
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, as my career seems to be going in a direction I didn’t really expect. It’s hard sometimes not to look at those “Best of…” lists at the end of the year and wonder what it would feel like to be on it. And I admit, I sometimes feel envious of authors who are on it.
But in the end, all that really matters to me, I think, is that I get to do this for a living. And though there doesn’t seem to be as much value placed on “fun” books, I know they make a difference in kid’s lives, because they tell me they do. And really, what could be more important, right?
I recently read HOW TO BE A GIRLY GIRL… and I loved it. It made me laugh out loud many times. You DO have a gift and I’m so glad you’re using it.
You should really write all of your accomplishments lisa
Thank you, Juana. It’s good to remember that there ARE accomplishments!!!