People often ask how I started writing novels. In a way, I
was pushed into it by devastating loss that ended up being a “blessing in disguise”
– I use that term because I think it applies
to my story.
Years ago, I was teaching tap, jazz, acrobatics and theatre classes
at a local dance studio to supplement my acting income. During that time, I
had a problem with one of my knees that required surgery. I would be out on
short-term disability for 2 weeks then back teaching, with one of my teen
students as an assistant until my knee completely healed. Two days before I was
to return, the studio owner informed me that she was moving to a new location
and couldn’t accommodate any of my classes. My classes were popular and some of
her largest, so it just didn’t make sense to me. I pressured her until she finally
admitted that her insurance company thought I was a liability and they wanted
me gone. I tried to reason with her but she said she already assigned my
students to other teachers. Did you make that “whaaaat?” face? Well, I sure
did.
Yes, I could have taken her to court, but I had just 2 days
to find work before my disability ran out, so I let it go and moved on.
Unfortunately, I didn’t find another job in time to save our townhome and we
lost it to foreclosure. My acting career wasn’t doing very well at this time,
either, and I was devastated about all the loss. But I was raised with “the
show must go on” attitude so I cried and pushed on like a good little performer.
We found an apartment in a much better location than our townhome. I found
another teaching job and continued auditioning and performing but I just didn’t
enjoy it. In fact, I was downright miserable. Something I had done my entire
life and now I wanted out.
I faked enjoying my work for two more years until hubs got
his MBA and a raise. He was now making enough money that I didn’t need to work
2 jobs any longer and he encouraged me to go back to school. I loved writing so I chose that major, and I loved being a
student again and felt like I had gotten a new chance at life. I was happy
again. I have been writing novels for 17 years now and I absolutely love it. As
of today, I have published 12 books and am currently editing another for
publication. And to think that it all started with a dance director who saw me
as a nothing more than a liability for her studio. If I ever see her again, I’ll
be sure and thank her.
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