When I was eight I wanted to write books. I even did an undergrad in English lit. Then life took one of its funny turns and yes, I became an accountant. Fast forward - marriages (yes plural) kids, jobs. Decades flew past.
As a recovering corporate executive in my sixties, I had my first book published. I’m now on book eight. It’s never too late to dust off those dreams.
Love this Jo! (and sorry you are feeling poorly). I wanted to be a truck driver, with a chimpanzee - too much "BJ McKay and his best friend Bear" tv show 😂 Not sure I will ever learn to drive a truck but I'm doing my best to live out some other dreams - as I write this from my 'office' in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Yeap. Three middle grade and four adult cozy fantasies/mysteries. And gotta be honest, the eighth book is still in editing - due to be released this fall.
Thanks for asking. 🙏 Definitely getting better. Just an annoying cough hanging about. Will be fighting fit soon! 😁 I shall be checking out your books! 🥳
I cried when I heard you say the line ‘There you are!’ So many of us get lost at a young age by the expectations of others. It’s a battle to remain true to the real you - or to find yourself again after being lost. Great post Jo! Get well soon!
A writer? I thought you had dreams of being a singer.
Sorry you're feeling a bit c*ap.
I had dreams of being a concert pianist, got accepted at RNC Music in Manchester, got a fit of the collywobbles (I was good, but not *that* good) and went into Hotel Management instead...
The thing was, there was no-one at school that could really advise - I didn't want to be a session musician or a music teacher (all my music teachers over the years had been single women) and I didn't know what other options could be available so decided to keep the music as a hobby.
How ironic that I turned out to be a single lady anyway🤣 But one who's had lots of lovely adventures in life.
I do. Pretty badly actually. In fact we are taking a keyboard with us. I have romantic (?) dreams of playing overlooking a rice paddy. and Davina is teaching herself to play..
This resonates deeply. I never told anyone about my dreams — I already knew they'd be dismissed or judged. So I kept them to myself, quietly, and eventually they got quieter too. But they didn't disappear — just went into that drawer.
I always had two dreams. Now I'm starting to realize that one of them wasn't really mine — it was the "sensible" option, the one everyone around me approved of. The other one felt too uncertain, too risky, so I pushed it aside.
Funny how it takes years to tell the difference between what you actually wanted and what you were taught to want.
Thank you for the reminder that we don't need permission to open that drawer again. Hope you feel better soon.
I’m so sorry you’re sick! Feel better soon.
When I was eight I wanted to write books. I even did an undergrad in English lit. Then life took one of its funny turns and yes, I became an accountant. Fast forward - marriages (yes plural) kids, jobs. Decades flew past.
As a recovering corporate executive in my sixties, I had my first book published. I’m now on book eight. It’s never too late to dust off those dreams.
Wowee Kirsten! Way to live your dreams! 8 books, that’s amazing. Congratulations. Where do I find your writing? Amazon?
Love this Jo! (and sorry you are feeling poorly). I wanted to be a truck driver, with a chimpanzee - too much "BJ McKay and his best friend Bear" tv show 😂 Not sure I will ever learn to drive a truck but I'm doing my best to live out some other dreams - as I write this from my 'office' in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Ooh! Have a fab time. One of my fave countries in the world! ❤️
Yeap. Three middle grade and four adult cozy fantasies/mysteries. And gotta be honest, the eighth book is still in editing - due to be released this fall.
How are you feeling?
Thanks for asking. 🙏 Definitely getting better. Just an annoying cough hanging about. Will be fighting fit soon! 😁 I shall be checking out your books! 🥳
I cried when I heard you say the line ‘There you are!’ So many of us get lost at a young age by the expectations of others. It’s a battle to remain true to the real you - or to find yourself again after being lost. Great post Jo! Get well soon!
Thanks Jeff, I cried like a baby at that point in the movie. 😂 What a pair of old softies we are! 😁
A writer? I thought you had dreams of being a singer.
Sorry you're feeling a bit c*ap.
I had dreams of being a concert pianist, got accepted at RNC Music in Manchester, got a fit of the collywobbles (I was good, but not *that* good) and went into Hotel Management instead...
The thing was, there was no-one at school that could really advise - I didn't want to be a session musician or a music teacher (all my music teachers over the years had been single women) and I didn't know what other options could be available so decided to keep the music as a hobby.
How ironic that I turned out to be a single lady anyway🤣 But one who's had lots of lovely adventures in life.
Do you still play the piano now then Caroline? A skill I’d have loved to have learned.
I do. Pretty badly actually. In fact we are taking a keyboard with us. I have romantic (?) dreams of playing overlooking a rice paddy. and Davina is teaching herself to play..
A lovely article, we must never lose our childhood dreams.
So true Claire. Thank you 🙏
This resonates deeply. I never told anyone about my dreams — I already knew they'd be dismissed or judged. So I kept them to myself, quietly, and eventually they got quieter too. But they didn't disappear — just went into that drawer.
I always had two dreams. Now I'm starting to realize that one of them wasn't really mine — it was the "sensible" option, the one everyone around me approved of. The other one felt too uncertain, too risky, so I pushed it aside.
Funny how it takes years to tell the difference between what you actually wanted and what you were taught to want.
Thank you for the reminder that we don't need permission to open that drawer again. Hope you feel better soon.
Thanks Kristina. I hope you start opening that drawer. 😁