Being a Full Pledged Writer

Since I was a little kid I've wanted to be a writer.for the group to read. At the next meeting, they
I started writing in grammar school. I would writeprovided their critique - what a nerve wracking
skits and have my friends perform them.experience! Plus, I found out my writing needed
That was childhood. Later on I gave up on mysome real work.
writing for a while. As an undergraduate in collegeI wasn't upset though, I was encouraged after
I majored in English, but only took a couple ofthis critique. I got valuable feedback; the group
writing classes. After I graduated I went to lawwas supportive and thought I could fix most of
school which meant still less time and energy forthe problems. I turned around and wrote a new
creative writing. After two years I realized: I reallyshort story, and uploaded this. The group was
missed my writing!very positive about this new piece. I really feel
I decided to re-establish writing as a priority. I didthat thanks to their contributions and advice my
two things to make this happen. First, I tookwork got much better in a short period of time.
some coursework on creative writing. Second,I'm still in this group two years later. I get valuable
and more importantly, I joined an online writingfeedback and have a great time. In fact, I like it
workshop.so much that I have joined two others. I like
The group worked this way: members wouldbeing in groups with people who share my
upload their writing to the online page. This waypassions and interests.
we could read each others' work. Then we wouldMy writing is much better now than when I
meet twice a month in person in a localstarted out. Even better, I've met friends who
restaurant, and we would critique the work.share my interest in writing. That, to me, is icing
During this period, I started on a novel. I wason the cake.
nervous about sharing it but uploaded some of it