Flapping my arms...

**Bri** · 03-13-2012, 05:27 AM

Hi! I feel like I'm attending some kind of online AA meeting, and this is the part where I stand up in front of the whole circle and tell how long it's been since I've relapsed. So here goes...

Hi, my name is Bri, and I'm a writer. (your part: "Hi Bri.") Its been a while since I've written anything other than lesson plans though. I'm currently teaching 8th grade English, and when my students ask me if I always wanted to be a teacher, my standard answer is, "No, I want to be a writer when I grow up." but 8th graders, the little snots, tend to press the issue, so the next question is "Well, when will you be grown up?"

And that's the question I never have an answer to.

What does it mean to be a writer? To be published? To have people who don't have any romantic or familial obligation to you read and enjoy your work?

The goal of being a writer seems so lofty to me, almost some sort of fantasy. I compared it tonight to having a goal of learning to fly. And then those people who say, "Well, Bri, if you want to be a writer, writers write. Everyday." Those people annoy me (sorry Dad). To me, that's like saying "Birds fly. Everyday." Well of course they do, it's the getting to that point I'm confused with. Sitting down and banging on a keyboard for half an hour a day to become a writer is like standing in your front yard flapping your arms to learn to fly.

But what kind of role model would I be for my students if I let something like feeling silly and pointless stand between me and what I want to be when I grow up? So this is me going for it. Being a writer. Standing in my cyber front yard flapping my arms.

**Hawke** · 03-13-2012, 05:50 AM

Hey, Bri. Love your intro. Welcome to the community!

**Potty** · 03-13-2012, 06:01 AM

Hello and welcome!

Obtaining the title "Writer" is easy! I found it much easier, however, when someone gave me something to write about. So here is your first assignment. Write a 300 word non fiction article on the theme "I want to be a writer" starting with the line "Hi, my name's Bri." and then publish it... Oh! wow you're fast. Congrats on becoming a writer!

Hope you enjoy your stay

**Jon M** · 03-13-2012, 06:17 AM

Hi Bri. Enjoyed your little introduction there. Funny and true in so so so many ways. Your post (humor, style, etc. etc.) reminds me of Anne Lamott and her book Bird by Bird. Have you ever read that book? It's a book about the craft, but in many ways it's more like a survival guide. Funny at times.

Welcome, and I will keep an eye out for some of your work.

**Nickie** · 03-13-2012, 06:51 AM

Welcome to the forums, Bri.

**BabaYaga** · 03-13-2012, 09:41 AM

Hi Bri,

Your students sound fantastic and it's going to be great having another English teacher here to come down on us when we get comma-happy or misuse apostrophes. Which happens alot (that alot's just for you Hyperbole and a Half: The Alot is Better Than You at Everything). Have a great time on the forums!

**Bloggsworth** · 03-13-2012, 09:51 AM

Growing up is the death of ambition, don't do it. When you've grown up you will do sensible things like wearing wooly vests in the winter, always wearing clean pants lest you get knocked over, pay the mortgage before buying more printer paper, take the family to Disneyland when you should be spending money on a fortnight at a writer's retreat...

**candid petunia** · 03-13-2012, 10:42 AM

Welcome to the forums, Bri.

**LaughinJim** · 03-13-2012, 12:09 PM

Welcome Bri,

A for style
A for content
not the least flaw

Overall B- because you could do better.

**SouthernRiver4** · 03-13-2012, 12:24 PM

Bri, I thoroughly enjoyed your introduction! It was well structured, well worded, humorous...if that's how you make an introduction, then I cannot wait to see your writing pieces!