The Tyranny of the Blank Page

I have wanted to be an author since I was 8 years old. Growing up, I wrote poems, songs, essays, short stories, and even tried my hand at a novel. Granted, none of these works turned out to be very good, but I loved it. When I went to college, I gave up the dream to pursue a more "serious" career. I set my writing aside to focus on my studies, my career, and eventually, my family.

Obviously, that was a number of years ago, but the dream of writing has never really gone away. About ten years ago, I began to journal. I found the practice enjoyable and even relaxing as I was able to explore and express my thoughts and feelings. No one was judging my grammar or my content. No one even read an entry without my permission.

As much as I loved to write as a child, I have found that the gift I took for granted in my younger years does not flow as freely now that I am an adult. More times than not, I am haunted by what some have called the tyranny of the blank page. I have tried to tell myself that I am just collecting life experiences now and that the creative writing juices will flow again later, but what if that is not true?

When Mark began this blog and asked me to contribute, I was excited for the opportunity to write. I was also nervous. Perfectionism plagued me with all sorts of questions and doubts. My mind literally went blank when trying to decide on my first blog topic, thus, this entry.

I remember hearing a long time ago that an author's best material comes from what she knows and where she is at. As I embark on this blogging journey, I am pushing through the terror within me at the prospect of becoming vulnerable by allowing others to read what I write. Hopefully, some will enjoy what I write and maybe even connect with what I have to say.

I have decided to embrace a childhood dream that I feared might be dead, and I doubt that I am alone in that experience. Do you have a childhood dream that you have begun to pursue again or would like to pursue again?