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Wednesday, January 08, 2014

Accidentally... Cimil

I’m not really a writer, but I play one on T.V. 

At least, that’s how I felt until a few months ago despite having written and published 7 works.  The honest truth is that the journey to becoming a writer has been more of a spiritual exercise than anything else.  What the hell does that mean?  It’s a very long story, but here’s the gist in a few hundred words…

For 15 years, I worked long hours, managing millions for several global companies.  The joke is that I knew from day 1 it wasn’t my calling.  But my MBA wasn’t free, and I needed to live.  Like most folks, I got married, had kids, and strapped myself to a mortgage.  I can’t say I was unhappy.  The money was great. I got to travel the globe.  I learned enough about business to write fifty books.  But every day I went to work, missing my kids and wondering if this was it for me.  Turns out, it wasn’t.

I remember the moment clearly.  It was a freezing winter morning (that’s anything in the 30s for us Californians), and I stood on the elevated train platform with a hundred other commuters, bundled up in wool coats and gloves.  Shivering and feeling miserable, I glanced at the people around me.  It felt like standing in line for the morgue instead of waiting for the train to San Francisco.  The sun was just coming up over the horizon of rolling green hills, and that’s when I said to myself, “If I ever find what it is I’m really supposed to be doing, I’ll do it. I’ll kill myself to make it happen. ”  Who was I speaking to?  I don’t know.  The Universe, myself, the gods?  But a few months later I woke up with the urge to write a book, the thought never having crossed my mind, and I knew I had to do it.  So I did, and it was…so great!  Fun, challenging, creative—completely fulfilling.  Like a vitamin for the soul.

Fast forward several years to a few months ago when I finally saw my first book sitting on a shelf at Barnes and Noble.  That’s when it finally hit me!  “Oh wow. I really am a writer.  This is what I love to do.”
It was hard to let go of 15 years in a career, but this week is the last at my day job.  And while I can’t say I won’t ever go back to the corporate world, today I am a writer.  Today, I’m doing what I love—making people smile!!  It doesn’t get much better.

Ironically, my novella, ACCIDENTALLY…CIMIL? is coming out at the same time.  She is the insane, slightly tormented goddess who hears voices in her head and fears nothing! 


What’s the one the step you could take today that might move you closer to your dream?  Leave a comment for a chance to win one of two digital copies of my book!

May the Universe inspire you to find your path, too!
Mimi

***Mimi's winners are Mary Preston and Dalitza Morales!  Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your details!***

8 comments:

Linda Henderson said...

My dream had always been to own a book store but sadly with being on disability I don't think it will be possible. But it was a dream I had most of my life. Now if I won the lottery I could have my dream and my family could run it while I just read the books.

erin said...

If I won the lottery and money to support myself was no limit, I'd also open a bookstore. Quiet, fun and I could read all day :) Congrats on the series!!! Thanks for sharing!

Mary Preston said...

My dream would be to live up on the coast. I have family there, but I doubt they would want me to move in on a permanent basis. Visits keep the dream alive for now.

Unknown said...
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Anonymous said...

My dream is and always has been to be a mommy, wife and photographer. My dream has come true. ~Cathy Lincoln

Unknown said...

Wow, that was beautiful :) I feel like Cathy, I have everything I want (family, friends, health). But if I wanted more, it would be to have the same courage you did, leave the corporate world and do something to help others. What? I still don't know.

Unknown said...

It's not hard to make the leap when I've got such great people helping me!

Mary Preston said...

Email sent THANK YOU!!