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At My Age, I’m Still Wet Behind the Ears
by Becky Povich
I never realized I was a writer until I was almost 50 years old. Sure, as a young girl I loved to write letters and had pen-pals all over the world. I was also passionate about reading, due in a large part to my paternal grandmother. Nothing thrilled me more than Bookmobile Day at my grade school. Climbing up those vehicle steps and entering a world of adventures was magical. I always exited with an armload of books.
As a young adult, I still enjoyed writing letters to friends and family. While some women swooned over shoes or purses, I’d be in the local Hallmark store, caressing beautiful stationery, trying to decide which box to buy.
Later in life, my jobs were usually in a customer service capacity. I took it upon myself to type newsletters to the sales crew and office staff, which was the brightest point of my week. I never considered any of this as writing, but since my genre is personal essay and memoir, I realize now it was the groundwork for this journey in my life.
I consider I officially became a writer in 2001 when I received a phone call about my estranged father. Hearing he had a grave illness and may not live caused deeply hidden emotions to surface. I once again felt love for him and wasn’t ready to completely let go. It hit me so unexpectedly, I felt compelled to get to my keyboard and the words just flowed. It was incredible. I titled it “Thoughts on Love & Forgiveness” and because of it, I obtained a position with the Opinion Shapers in the St. Peters (Missouri) Journal. A few years later, an edited version of it was accepted and published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, in their Divorce & Recovery anthology. I believe it’s the only story in the book written through the eyes of an adult child affected by a parents’ divorce.
Thanks to the superb encouragement from other writers near and far, my writing has definitely improved over the past ten years. I love my writing groups and the countless websites and blogs geared toward writers, especially Women on Writing and The Muffin! I’ve been fortunate to have other works published and I’m currently writing my memoir. My publisher is a small press in Missouri, High Hill Press. I’m living a dream I never realized I had!
I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes:
It's never too late to be who you might have been. -- George Eliot
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Becky Povich began her writing career in her late forties. She’s been fortunate to have stories published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Thin Threads, Patchwork Path, and other anthologies. She is the current president of Saturday Writers in St. Peters Missouri, and also a member of the Missouri Writers Guild. She is the co-author of the Saturday Writers blog: www.saturdaywriters.blogspot.com and maintains her personal blog as well: www.beckypovich.blogspot.com. She’s currently writing her memoir and hopes to finish it this year.
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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
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by Becky Povich
I never realized I was a writer until I was almost 50 years old. Sure, as a young girl I loved to write letters and had pen-pals all over the world. I was also passionate about reading, due in a large part to my paternal grandmother. Nothing thrilled me more than Bookmobile Day at my grade school. Climbing up those vehicle steps and entering a world of adventures was magical. I always exited with an armload of books.
As a young adult, I still enjoyed writing letters to friends and family. While some women swooned over shoes or purses, I’d be in the local Hallmark store, caressing beautiful stationery, trying to decide which box to buy.
Later in life, my jobs were usually in a customer service capacity. I took it upon myself to type newsletters to the sales crew and office staff, which was the brightest point of my week. I never considered any of this as writing, but since my genre is personal essay and memoir, I realize now it was the groundwork for this journey in my life.
I consider I officially became a writer in 2001 when I received a phone call about my estranged father. Hearing he had a grave illness and may not live caused deeply hidden emotions to surface. I once again felt love for him and wasn’t ready to completely let go. It hit me so unexpectedly, I felt compelled to get to my keyboard and the words just flowed. It was incredible. I titled it “Thoughts on Love & Forgiveness” and because of it, I obtained a position with the Opinion Shapers in the St. Peters (Missouri) Journal. A few years later, an edited version of it was accepted and published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, in their Divorce & Recovery anthology. I believe it’s the only story in the book written through the eyes of an adult child affected by a parents’ divorce.
Thanks to the superb encouragement from other writers near and far, my writing has definitely improved over the past ten years. I love my writing groups and the countless websites and blogs geared toward writers, especially Women on Writing and The Muffin! I’ve been fortunate to have other works published and I’m currently writing my memoir. My publisher is a small press in Missouri, High Hill Press. I’m living a dream I never realized I had!
I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes:
It's never too late to be who you might have been. -- George Eliot
* * *
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
29 Comments on Friday Speak Out!: At My Age, I’m Still Wet Behind the Ears, Guest Post by Becky Povich, last added: 8/28/2011
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Amen, Becky. Good for you. I love the Eliot quote.
Becky,
I say good for you! And I for one am so glad that you found your writing voice, so I could meet you and be in the same writing group as you! :) This post is a lot like Jodi's a few weeks ago where she talked about how EVERYONE writing today is not twentysomething. You can be 40, 50, 60--heck even 80. It doesn't matter as long as you have a story to tell and a keyboard! :)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts,
Margo
That is my favorite quote too! In fact, I have it framed over my desk. It has been there the entire time I've been developing as a writer.
Wonderful and inspiring post, Becky!! I was excited when I saw you here with a guest post, fantastic. And that is one of my all-time favorite quotes as well. :)
Great blog essay, Becky. Thanks for sharing. Yes, writing is sometimes in the arena of "Strange and Special Talents" when most of us have practiced penning our thoughts in the ways and places you mention. Then again, I wonder what will happen when the most penning one does is Twittering!
This was fabulous! I just proves you're never to late to fall in love with words. I'm glad that you found your calling and you still have plenty of years to peacefully write!!!!
I should have known I'd be a writer since I was a little girl but sometimes those things just take time!!!
Love this, Becky! Thank goodness, there's no age limit on finding your dream. (Well, I suppose we may be over the limit to be Rockettes...;-)
Hi Becky,
I am not a writer but love to read, (books, blogs, comments, etc)...and learning a few more things about you and your writing career was fabulous. I hope to one day read your memoir, as they are some of my favorite books to read. I especially enjoyed listening to Julie Andrews and Betty Whites memoirs. So when will yours be ready for the public? Let me know and I will run right out to the bookstore and get myself one, or I should say buy myself one. hehehe. Don't want anyone to think I'm a shoplifter...
Congratulations on being the Guest today, I really enjoyed your post today.
I love Becky, and I love her writing style! I've long known that she jumped into a writing career in mid-life, but I never knew the circumstances that caused that to happen. It's always lovely to see that even though circumstances may be bleak and sorrowful, good things can come about.
Although I've been playing around with writing since I was in my 20's, Becky has been a real encourager to me, continually telling me that even though I just turned 50, it's not at all too late to begin to really pursue my own writing career.
Blessings,
Patti
Nice post Becky and I love that you're never too old to write - or do anything that you have dreamed!
This just goes to show that you can start a journey anywhere, anytime, and at any age. All it takes is the decision to take that first step toward your goal. Interesting post, Becky. Wishing you the best with your memoir and your other writing projects too!
Great quote and you're definitely living it out. Better late than never, right??!?!!? :O)
It is great to see Becky here - I have met her and read one of her stories. AWESOME. I love that quote. You are never to old to start something you love and you do love writing. Love, sandie
What an inspiring post and quote. Great job, Becky.
Donna V.
Good job Becky.
First of all, thanks to WOW for accepting me as their guest speaker today! I really enjoyed sharing a bit of information about myself. And a HUGE thanks to everyone who stopped by and left such kind comments! I truly appreciate it!
Becky, Congrats on being their guest speaker today. It was wonderful finding out a little more about you. How wonderful that you hung onto your dream and now are living it!! You've given me hope and encouragement to reach for the stars and farther...hugs ~lynne~
Wonderful post, Becky, and how nice to learn about this site. I relate to your priorities. Implements of writing (paper, pens, more pens, a few more pens) have always been more important to me than shoes and purses. (I have more pens in my current purse than I have purses, in fact! I do not, however, carry pens in my shoes... Flipflops don't accommodate pens!)
'Though I've gotten to know you -- and your journey -- through your blog, I enjoyed reading this succinct overview. Your path was so clearly fated.
Good for you for recognizing the signs and heading toward your destiny!
Katie
Yeah, Becky! Your love of writing shines through all you posts. So happy to got to be a guest blogger! Good for you. Keep writing and keep inspiring! Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com
Becky I think it is awesome that you started writing late in life! Sometimes I think in later years we find a new direction in life as we have a better perspective of where we have been and hopefully where we are going. hugs, Linda
Becky,
If you write it, I will read!
I have been following you for a while now (but not in a creepy way) and always find inspiration in your posts.
I regret that I did not read this immediately at the 5:00 a.m. time stamp so I could have left one of my favorite quotes: "Top of the muffin to you!" OK, it's not so much a quote as a Seinfeldian retail store. But the sentiment is the same.
Becky, I'm so glad you were highlighted here. You are an inspiration to me and I'm sure to many others. I am so glad you chose to write, to have a blog and to be such a wonderful person. These choices have enriched me profoundly.
That was a great guest post Becky. Your love if writing really shines through , and I know what a terrific encouragement you are to other writers and bloggers. Im glad you finally got to do what you've always wanted to do. Love the quote at the end by the way.
Oh Becky, I don't care when you started writing, I'm just so darned glad you did start! You have such a charming and unique "voice". When I read you, I feel like I know you and we would be friends in real life! Marvelous work!
Becky, I loved this post. What a wonderful story! My husband didn't know he was an artist until he retired from a 32 year career in banking at age 54! I love stories like yours - so uplifting and triumphant. You express so beautifully from your heart. Well done, my dear!
Hi Becky! I loved hearing your story and you're right, it's NEVER too late to start writing!
Another huge thank you to everyone for being so kind and thoughtful, to stop and leave such wonderful comments! I'm almost speechless, and for ME, that's almost impossible! :)
Good for you, Becky. Never let those dreams die.
Thanks, Carol! I never will!