It’s always interesting to me how the most unexpected events can sometimes be so positive… and cause for reflection. This week, I had one of those unexpected things happen to me.
A colleague and friend of mine instant messaged me earlier this week. He informed me that, although I didn’t know it yet, I was going to be his mentor. I was surprised to say the least. It’s not a role I’ve been asked to fill before.
I quickly racked my brain to try and figure out how/why I would be considered his mentor. Granted, work has a mentoring program, but I couldn’t quite connect how I would be his mentor. He’s a smart guy. What could I possibly have to teach him?
Then, he informed me that he had started writing (ah hah!) and was really enjoying it. He also told me that he was now a regular reader of SWN and quite enjoyed the site (double ah hah!!). We got to chatting via IM and he confessed that he had read one of my earlier posts and had connected with some of the stuff I had written (Sa-wing and a home run!).
Anyway, long story short, he asked if I would read and critique his stuff (and you know who you are 
).
It immediately reminded me why I agreed to contribute to this site. And it was extremely gratifying that I would be asked.
I know I’ve talked about why I write before: to express myself and to eventually make a career of it (which means being paid, of course). But this little episode really brought it home to me. I mean, under my sometimes grumpy exterior (just ask my wife and kids if you don’t believe me), is someone who genuinely likes people. I would like nothing better than to be able to connect with my readers, both via SWN and my other writing and give them something that helps them.
The help could be simple enjoyment of a story in an otherwise bad day or it could be helping someone else to realize their own dreams. To me, that’s what will make a career of writing truly fullfilling.
So, a big thank you to my friend out there. You truly honor me with your request. I’m glad that something I’ve written resonates with you and I’ll be glad to help you with your writing journey. And I truly hope that others out there feel the same way. It gives me hope that my stories will one day grace store shelves.
And it brings me one step closer to making this whole “writing thing” into a “career thing”.
