Everyone I've ever talked to about writing knows that it is a fairly recent passion of mine. I know that many writers cite starting young and that they always knew they were born to do it. With me, it's always been different. All I remembered was a teacher in grade school marking an assignment of mine "lacks creativity." So, I never pursued writing, or so I thought.
See, a few months ago I talked to my brother in Germany and he informed me that he found something I had written when I still lived in Germany. Since I moved to the USA at age 18, I knew it had to be quite old. To be honest, I was afraid of what it might be as I worked hard on forgetting my life there. Not just that, but I imagined my writing style to be horrible and riddled with errors because that is how I always feel when I find stuff that I wrote just a few years ago.
Plus, I was wondering if I could even read it since I haven't spoken German in a very long time. Well, my brother told me he would get the paper to me via my son who happened to be visiting Europe at the time.
It took a while to get here, but I was in no hurry because frankly, I was afraid ... Well, today the envelope arrived from my son. Among some old family pics (of me, my daughter, and second husband), were wedged four pieces of hand-written paper and one typed page (done on a typewriter of course, we are talking 1984 or so here).
I did recognize my hand writing and upon further examination, the typed page was just a repetition of the hand written text. It's definitely the beginnings of a novel and I am surprised at my use of humor and eloquent, mature use of language. What's more, I seemed quite comfortable at writing dialog; something I never quite managed to get the hang of in English and hence never seriously pursued.
This makes me wonder what else I did when I was young that I have forgotten. Like I said, most of my memories are bad, so perhaps I just buried it all in my mind. Plus, I've been homeless twice so I really have no physical items from my past. The stuff that did survive I had to leave behind with my most recent move, but of course I regret none of it. Also, I am surprised to find out that perhaps all writers did know from early on that that is what they wanted to do because apparently I was writing when I was a teenager. But why do I not remember this?
As far as this first chapter goes, it would make one heck of a novel. Alas, I can't even complete the things I start now as life on earth demands other priorities for survival. Still, I plan on translating what I have and putting it on my blog. Stay tuned ...
By Alexandra Heep: Author. Humorist. Occasional cat translator. Currently publishing children’s books and writing like it’s 1989—only with fewer mix tapes.
About Alexandra Heep:
Alexandra Heep is a longtime writer, chronic over-thinker, and recovering content mill survivor. Her work has appeared in literary journals, anthologies, and online platforms where words are still respected. She writes children’s books, health reflections, and the occasional blog post laced with humor and hard-won honesty.
After years of illness, detours, and navigating the noise of modern wellness, she returned to writing with the firm belief that stories—like people—don’t have to be perfect to matter.
She publishes under multiple pen names and drinks more goat milk than you’d expect.
3 comments:
Alex, I enjoy reading your blog posts, because what you say, is put so very well. What you say is what most of us are thinking----that there is a part of our lives we want to forget. Yes, you definetly have the makings of a book. Love your posts because they are so honest and refreshing.
How nifty! I never really thought of writing although I did like doing it in high school. It was just a fluke that I started writing again, but I am glad i did. perhaps one day you can finish a novel.... One page at a time.
Hi Alex .. that's interesting the writing turned up - must be a reason. I'm so pleased for you .. a starter ...
Good luck .. all the best Hilary
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