"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…" Robert
Frost wrote one of my favorite poems, The Road Not Taken, describing the
choices and decisions we must make on life's journey.
Do you remember that key moment when you faced a huge decision
that you felt sure would change the rest of your life? Many years ago as a
college student who desperately wanted to write stories, I faced the choice of
pursuing that dream or opting for the sure-thing in a business career. Since I
had almost no money in the bank, the dream seemed beyond reach.
In my upcoming May release, Love by Design, Jen Fox faces a
choice between her dream of joining the expedition aiming to be the first to
fly over the North Pole or a solid career in nursing. She has no savings, and
flying cost a lot of money. Moreover, she could sign up for a hospital nursing
program that cost nothing beyond her clothing and a few supplies. The choice
seems obvious.
Since I'm currently writing for Love Inspired Historical,
you might assume I chose to follow my dream, and you'd be partially right. I
did finish a bachelor's degree in English. However, I took that degree into
librarianship for many years, setting aside my dream. It was never forgotten,
though, and the Lord blessed me by bringing it to fruition at just the right
time.
Which path did you choose?
Christine Johnson
Love by Design (Dressmaker's Daughters #3, LIH, May 2015)
Love's Rescue (Keys of Promise #1, Revell, June 2015)
Posts
I guess you could say, I took the compromise road and studied Journalism in college. Now I'm approaching another fork in the road. I've decided the time has come for me to take the new -- and scary -- road to writing my novels(and anything else that comes along) at home full-time.
ReplyDeleteChristine, I always love hearing journeys of how people got into writing. My dream didn't come until I was grown and had children.
ReplyDeleteJean, that's exciting!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful to see how God fulfills those dreams in His time?
ReplyDeleteAh, the choice between art and eating.. Like you, I took both roads when I came to that fork, writing on the side and teaching to get food on the table. I must admit, though, I loved teaching and feel that it has made me a better writer , as does any form of human interaction. Don't you think?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jean! That is a scary step, but I firmly believe the Lord honors that sort of step-off-the-ledge faith. May He prosper your decision.
ReplyDeleteHi Missy! I imagine that many of us had to wait for our dreams. Congratulations on reaching yours!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Renee! Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you are so right. In retrospect, every stop and byway on the journey has fed the well of experiences and personalities to draw upon as a writer.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post, Christine, and look forward to reading your next book. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Lord's timing is always perfect, I know. For years I taught school, then had to retire early due to major spine issues.
I realized the door was open for me to pursue full-time writing (which I love, though I still have much to learn!).
Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo
My two roads diverged as well. One path led to an English degree, the other to a BS in medical technology. My mother said a woman always needed a profession. Thus, I went the medical technology route, and still love that part of my life.
ReplyDeleteThe writing came later.
Christine, great post. I think of all kinds of decisions I've made in my life that led to where I am today. So many things would be different if I had gone a different route. I always loved telling stories, but I never thought about writing for publication until I was married with children. Then it took me many, many years with lots of wrong turns to realize that dream.
ReplyDeleteI spent ten years working to put myself through college while pursuing an accounting degree. It wasn't until my eleventh year that I asked myself what I was doing. I don't care for math. Words are my thing.
ReplyDeleteI remember walking out in the middle of my calculus class (third attempt), marching over to the administration building and changing my major to Mass Communication with the Print Journalism option. I really wanted an English degree, but that would have required two more years. Mass Communication was my compromise. Changing majors was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Hugs, Patti Jo! I wish you all the best on your writing journey.
ReplyDeleteHi Debby, I imagine the medical technology occasionally comes into play in the writing. Great combination for a suspense writer!
ReplyDeleteHi Merrillee! Oh yes, those wrong turns. I've made a good share of them too, but most have added to the store of knowledge for stories.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo, Keli! I love stories of sudden realization and the fortitude to make the change. Great decision!
ReplyDeleteLOL, Keli I was a business major until my junior year. Then, I was sitting in a laundry mat doing my accounting homework BEFORE COMPUTERS and I called my mother long distance and said, "I'm dropping out of school", and I did.
ReplyDeleteA year later I went back and got a degree in Journalism. My dream was to write for Readers Digest.
Instead, I taught school and love it.
Wow, Pamela, I love how that decision hit you in a moment and you acted with courage. So glad you found a career you love.
ReplyDelete