ANDRE BEGIN

From the moment I set foot in the workplace, I was asked to prepare all types of written communications. From the beginning, they were my favourite part of the job and I couldn’t get enough of those assignments.

To me, there was something deeply inspiring and satisfying about being able to receive a few verbal instructions, to create the product in question and then to deliver it on time, as requested and tailored for the target audience.

Even though some might think that producing written products in rapid succession might be a daunting prospect, I took to it like a moth to a flame. To me, the more the merrier.

The truth is, to develop the ability to write with confidence didn’t happen overnight and I didn’t do it alone. It took practice, perseverance as well as great peers and managers to review my work and to offer feedback.

It also took for me to be a good student and to take in all of the feedback with an open mind. I realized that at the end of the day, I wasn’t the one signing off on the document, it was an executive higher up in the chain of command. For that reason, there was no point in taking comments personally or to develop an ego when it came to writing for others.

For the hundreds (if not thousands) of documents I prepared over the course of my career, I send my thanks to each and every person who reviewed a document of mine and who provided comments or direction. You’ll never know how much I appreciated your time and your commitment in helping me create the work that reflected our combined vision which also helped me grow as a writer.

I truly lucked out in working where I did, because the working conditions themselves were the catalyst that helped me to become the versatile writer I am today in retirement.

The variety of writing assignments, long form, short form, writing for different target audiences, all helped instill a sense of fearlessness and enthusiasm when it comes to the blank page or starting a new project.

Practicing daily helped me form connections in the brain to access format, style, grammatical rules and technical terminology in two languages to a point that it became second nature and a transportable skill into creative writing.

The fast paced environment where priorities could change rapidly given the context in which we operated, helped make me a better juggler when it came to managing a handful of writing projects at the same time, a skill that I appreciate when flipping between my blog and my script projects.

The positive feedback I received helped build my confidence to the point of my considering that maybe I did have a natural affinity for writing, which, in later years I knew for sure was an asset.

Tight deadlines helped me to write quickly, efficiently, and with a mindset that doesn’t get too precious about anything, knowing that a great passage could get edited out or replaced by someone higher up the chain of command.

Was it nature or nurture? Was it already within me or was it drawn out of me? I think it was a little of both. Given that I enjoyed it and was keenly interested in getting better at it, I believe that was half the battle. Having the coaches and mentors to work with me in fine-tuning that aptitude was a blessing for which I am so grateful.

This collaboration was not only important back in the day, but the feedback I received from so many different writers and editors over the years, each with their own styles and preferences, helped me to enjoy and appreciate the writing process that much more in retirement.

Whether I am writing a blog article, a movie script, a TV script or working on my novel, I often think of my former managers and colleagues and how they gave me the building blocks and transportable skills to become the creative writer I am today.

If your ears are burning, it’s likely from me sending you good vibes of gratitude for your time and generosity in taking me under your wing.

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Sincere thanks for reading!
Have a great day,
André