The Day I Became A Writer
by Tanner Olson
writtentospeak.com

I remember the day I became a writer.

It was a January morning in St. Louis, Missouri.

Snow had fallen the evening before and I too was making changes.

I stood in front of the mirror to give myself another pep talk.

I was due for one. 

The months leading up to the new year had put cracks in my recently re-paved foundation.

I felt all the things I didn’t want to feel.

Off balanced. Behind. Lost. Lonely. Uncertain.

I was young and trying and tired.

These were the days when my skin was still tight around my eyes.

I was clean shaven and bright eyed and despite how I felt, I was still hopeful.

I splashed water on my face before telling myself what I needed to hear.

“This is the year you stop thinking about writing and start writing.”

And then I quoted Nike.

“JUST DO IT.”

And I did it.

We all begin somewhere.

But every beginning begins with a brave step forward into the unknown.

We let go to go forward.

It’s how I left home at 18.

It’s how I began working at camp.

It’s how I found myself in West Virginia for summer.

It’s how I met my wife. 

It’s how I made it from yesterday to today.

And it’s how I became a writer. 

One brave step forward. 

I packed up a notebook and my laptop.

I slipped my black Vans on and headed out the door.

Every step was marked in the snow as I made my way to the coffee shop.

I ordered a cup of black coffee and a blueberry muffin.

Most people don’t know this, but blueberry muffins make you a better writer.

I sat at the coveted corner table and began to write.

I scribbled in my notebook and typed on my computer. 

Some of the words even made sense.

I wrote a blog post and a poem and notes I’d later lose.

I was writing.

Words were no longer just floating around in my head, but they were showing up on the paper. 

I had stopped thinking about writing and was actually writing. 

It wouldn’t be for another two years when I began to believe I was a writer.

With hope,

Tanner Olson
@writtentospeak

To send in an anonymous question/writing prompt, click here.

About the Author

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.

He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.

You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.

His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.

You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.