ANDRE BEGIN

During my years in the public sector, the workdays I enjoyed most were the ones in which I could write from the moment I arrived until the moment I was scheduled to leave for the day… if they could pry me away from the computer.

Even though writing was an important part of my work, I enjoyed a variety of tasks over the course of a day. That variety challenged my problem-solving skills, resulting in wonderful confidence-building opportunities, learning opportunities and experience that I believe made me a well-rounded team member.

Just the same, when management would ask me to clear my calendar to make room for an urgent, high-priority writing assignment, I admit that I had to hold back a nervous giggle, feeling like I had just won the lottery. Not only did it mean enjoying a big helping of the “dessert” part of my work, but it was also an incredible validation of their trust in me and in my skills.

To me, it didn’t matter what the subject matter was, or whether I was creating original material, updating existing material or making final edits. I loved it all and the more the merrier.

The fun part is that in retirement, I have that same feeling.

I completely accept the package deal of being a homeowner and that a day could present work to be performed indoors, outdoors or both. But when the house has been shined up and the yard work isn’t calling for urgent attention, to have a day that I can devote entirely to writing is a day that makes me jump out of bed with glee in the morning.

Just recently, I had one of those days:

– I was applying the finishing touches to my fifth screenplay which was approaching the completion of its first draft.
– In preparing a sample of my work to be considered by an industry insider, I was completing a few touch-ups to my very first screenplay. After time away from this project and a solid “fresh pair of eyes” review, I discovered a few passages that I would word differently that could help elevate the finished product.
– I had ideas to add to the outline for my sixth screenplay.
– I needed to review and approve the proofs for my new business cards.
– As always, I have a variety of blog articles at different stages of completion.
– Meanwhile, I was finalizing an article for my writing group.

To me, a full day with writing tasks stacked up like that is not overwhelming. It makes me feel like I am advancing my body of work and following through on my retirement dreams.

The best part is that it doesn’t feel like work; it feels like playtime to me, even though I am very serious about the business of writing.

Writing energizes me as I feel like I get more out of it than I put into it, without a need for additional caffeine to keep me powered up to move these items across the finish line.

Interestingly enough, the more creative energy I dispense, the more I seem to get back. And when the day is over and I have scratched multiple writing tasks from my to-do list, still, the next writing session can’t come soon enough. Bring it on!

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Sincere thanks for reading!
Have a great day,
André