If you would have told me 10 years ago that I would be an editor at a children’s publishing company and have 4 published children’s books under my belt, I would have told you that I’d made it. Funny how the grass is always greener on the other side of an ambition. You see, I have always wanted to teach English and creative writing. Years ago, I weakly applied for several MFA programs, only to be rejected by all of them. (Looking back at the half-hearted submissions, I can see why!) I gave up on the dream in order to start paying off student loans and haven’t looked back.
Now, however, in the midst of an economic crisis that is affecting the retail market, and thus the publishing world, and an “evolving” personal life, I’m exploring new opportunities. Fueled by one of three fortunes I have taped to my computer at the office, I am getting my proverbial “move on.” Today, I looked down at the yellowing strips of paper and felt a flutter in my tummy when I read, “If you have great ambition, take as a big a step as possible toward fulfilling it.”
Don’t get me started on how this is in no way, shape, or form a fortune. I’m quite glad they don’t print actual fortunes. “You will experience great tragedy in your life.” isn’t quite as inspirational when taped to a computer monitor. What matters is that this pocket-sized bit of positivity lead me to send an email to Ashland University inquiring about their Master of Education and their Master of Fine Arts programs.
I don’t know where this might lead. Considering I have some trouble navigating through the actualities of working motherhood while simultaneously trying to accomplish life-long dreams (hence the current defunct status of my novel, the inspiration for this blog), I might not get much farther than this. But, it was a big step for me, and according to my fortune, that’s good enough.
*The entirety of this blog was written while expressing breast milk for my daughter. he he he
