To Blog or Not To Blog: Blogger Wendy Jessen

WRITING...?is the best way for me to be

“It’s funny how life sometimes tells you what you’re supposed to do rather than finding it on your own. In fact, I accidentally started writing. I know, that sounds completely nuts, but let me explain.
I’ve always liked writing…my 2-3 pages stories in elementary school were really more like 15. Essays really weren’t all that scary. I even wrote stories with friends just for fun. Yet, I never really considered writing as something I could do. I had “written” it off (haha!).

I was a really quiet and shy child, and in order to overcome that, I ran for student body treasurer of my junior high school–and won, even though I forgot my own name during my speech. This huge embarrassment led to me deciding to join the speech team to gain confidence.
I played the violin, sang in choir, participated in every facet of theatre, and continued on the speech team and even placed in competitions. I started out as a theatre major, music minor in college, but soon realized I wasn’t at the level I needed to be for that to be a realistic aspiration. (Of course, my college also hosts the state’s Shakespearean Festival, so the competition was pretty fierce.)
Fast forward many years later, in fact, birthing six children later…
I was contemplating what my life mission was supposed to be and one of my friends suggested I start writing. OK…. so I started a blog. That was intentional. Writing book and media reviews and family-oriented articles, however, started out as a beautiful accident.
An editor was looking for someone to write about their experience watching a live streaming of Time Out for Women–the first time it would be broadcast over the internet. I volunteered, thinking someone would interview me for my comments….

…long story short, I was wrong. I was supposed to write the whole article! This “accident” spawned into writing book reviews and family-focused articles for familyshare.com. And now, I’ve recently just-about-finished writing a book, which was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done (which is a completely different story).
I have had several personal experiences that have kept pushing me through this. I started writing nearly three years ago and I haven’t looked back, though it took me a few decades to realize this path was one I could and should take.
My steps were small and scary at first. I had so much self-doubt (still do) and I had no idea what I was doing. I’m not saying it’s easy now, but I can say that I love what I do. Expressing myself, helping and inspiring others, and creating something with words is the best way for me to be me. Taking the first leap was intimidating–what if I can’t do this? What if I fail?

But, what if it turns out completely awesome?”

 

FullSizeRender This is Wendy Jessen, blogger and writer, and mom of six. You may find her at Musings, Miracles, & Mayhem.

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