writerwe – Noreen Lace

This was texted to me recently; however, it was about the southern California weather. But the sentence struck a cord.

I was brought up not to brag, not to boast, crow, or grandstand. Therefore, when I’ve won an achievement, accomplished a goal, I didn’t even know how to act when congratulated.

At some point, in college, I read a quote that stated – If you don’t toot your own horn, who will?

So began the long, arduous process of learning to reveal my accomplishments without blustering.

Sometimes, I may shift into a swagger, but mostly I try to announce my triumphs with pride.

Recently someone said to me, “aren’t you lucky?” upon hearing of my success. And I said – it’s hard work. That’s the truth. Perhaps there’s a bit of fortuitousness involved, but fortune does not favor the unprepared.

So I say – work hard and shout success from the rooftops!

Have you ever been inspired by a story? I imagine many people have: hence, fan fiction. I’m inspired by characters and what could have happened.

Think of The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald, so it’s said, hated the hypocrisy. Parties, and alcohol, and politicians who took part or did nothing. Daisy – hated her. Would have loved to see her get her due. I don’t know how I felt about Gatsby himself. I wanted something more for him, realization or redemption.

I was inspired to write a part two in which one of those two things happened. Of course, I’d have to somehow bring Gatsby back to life first. Still working on it.