When you were young

Crunchie Mummy has asked me what I wanted to be when I was young.

When I was young I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to spend my days researching the children's literary market and crafting my bestseller. I wanted people to read my work, I wanted to see my name in print. I wanted to do something I loved doing. I could imagine nothing else, even on holiday in St Jean de Monts, aged 15:

Then anorexia struck, catching me off guard and throwing my life off track. Long periods were literally wasted in hospital, yet still I carried on writing, book after book, and all targeted at the children's fiction market.

They say write about what you know. So I did. Instead of writing for whichever children's publisher made me the best offer (in my dreams), I ended up writing about mental health for Mind, the Eating Disorders Association, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, amongst others.

So I carried on writing, I just travelled down an unexpected route. Life is like that sometimes. Then I started blogging and writing about parenting, and editing medical documents and writing documents for psychiatrists. I was writing about what I knew.

And here I am, still writing although not quite the sort of things I would have imagined, because I hadn't expected to get ill and I hadn't expected to become a parent.

And as for the children's novels?

There's plenty of time yet.

What did you want to be when you were young? Grab a badge, have a go!

Comments

[Iota]

I love this post. I felt emotional when I read it. It's like the strands of your life tying together in a blog post, because of course in being a blogger, you are a writer.

[Rosie Scribble]

Oh thank you, Iota. What an absolutely lovely comment. x

[Michelle Twin Mum]

I love the picture. It is fab that despite your illness you still managed to achieve much fo what you hoped to and like you say there is still a ton of time for the kids books.

I wanted to be a chef as that is what my Grandad was and we used to cook together. I did do my qualifications and in hotel management and went into that for a while and then digressed. I am happy with the route I took though.

Mich x

[Him Up North]

Thanks for taking up Karen's challenge from my original meme. Puts looking in the mirror in a whole new context. Great and brave post.

[If I Could Escape]

What a great post. Loved reading it and learning more about you. And, that's not a dodgey photo of you at all.

I kind of got myself stuck in a bit of a rut of writing for doctors/healthcare, but it's what I seem to do well.

[Jen@jenography]

Very inspiring post, Rosie. That's the problem with writing - life can get in the way. It's great that you continued even while ill. Whenever I think of how hard it is to write, I'm always reminded of Lauren Hillenbrand, who wrote her fantastic book about Seabiscuit while bedbound and exhausted with chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Brit In Bosnia]

Love this post, but it looks like all the different strands do come together, in a way you could never predict. xx

[Victoria Foord]

Thanks for telling us about your dreams and aspirations. Your blog writing is great and read by many so I do hope you feel you are a writer now. Good luck with all the future books you have stored up.

[Whimsical Wife]

What a very lovely post - the anorexia made me feel sad though :(

[Rosie Scribble]

Thank you, Wendy. I'm absolutely fine now :)

[Peter Stockwell]

You look good now. Do get back to writing children's novels. I am sure your experences would help and inspire.

[Rosie Scribble]

Thank you, Peter. And how lovely that a published author has commented on my post about writing. That's given me a much-needed boost!

[marketingtomilk]

There IS plenty of time yet. Go girl!

M2M