Medical Notes

All that creative writing actually did a lot for me in getting my degree. So today, I'm feeling the need to shout out my gratitude to, you know, writing. Weird but true. 

First: Making medical notes for insurance companies, lawyers, doctors, hospitals, and the like. It turned out to be my strong point, and we honestly were taught next to nothing about it. I credit picture book writing: write what you need your audience to know, write it succinctly, use strong verbs. 

Second: Writing up an article for a scientific journal. Same lessons. Say what you need to say. Say it well. Make kind critiques to the team on their writing. Let go what you need to. Insist on what you must. 

Also, typing. Because who wants to waste time hunting for the "A" key every time? My typing speed is my best friend. 

But mostly, the medical notes. Thank you, Carmen's Sticky Scab for being my first experience there. 

So. It's Been a Minute

 May of 2014 was the last time I posted. It's been a minute. In the meantime I've had the pleasure of:

• Navigating a faith transition
• Changing my marital status to divorced
• Moving to a new state where scorpions are a thing (whimper)
• Attending graduate school, in person and everything, and obtaining a master's degree
• Getting a job to support myself
• Single momming, then momming with the ex and his new wife involved--still in two separate states
• Traveling some
• Etc. 

And why is today the day to post? 

Because today is the day I start writing again. 

All along I've only wanted life to calm down enough that I could write again. But as you either suspect or know, life doesn't calm down. And I'm a liar, because having time to write isn't the ONLY thing I've wanted. But it truly has been a desire all along. 

Life has not calmed down, but it's now stilled enough I can just see myself again in its reflection: 

This morning, I tried to sign up for a gig to help people edit their writing, for money. As I listed my qualifications, I felt ridiculously overqualified, like no one would believe me. My amazing writing friends, and groups, and publications, and classes taught, and awards, and blah, blah, blah. And then, on top of it all, my picture was rejected as being a suspected stock photo! 

No! It's me! It's a freaking selfie from my phone! Too many filters? Do I need to make myself look uglier? What? I don't get it! 

At any rate, that photo rejection along with the rest gave me the final insight to realize that while I'd like more income from helping other people write, what I truly want is to write myself. To BE myself. I remembered that in the beginning, I wanted a steady income so I could support myself, my kids, and write. And travel. But mostly write. (And travel.)

So here we are. Today, August 25, 2020 is the day I write again. And if life gets rough, I will write my way through. I've missed it far too much. 

Here's the photo. I plan on using it liberally.