RETURN TO WRITING STRATEGIES

Two Sides to Every Story
By Terri Mrosko

The left side of my brain and the right side of my brain had a conversation the other day, and what I discovered was remarkable.

Left Brain: What do you make of this? She wants to be a full-time freelance writer. She quit her day job-how illogical is that? I don't understand how someone who spent over 20 years in the corporate world can possibly believe that she can compete in such a--such an idealistic world. I am appalled!

Right Brain: Bravo! Bravo, I say. I, for one, am overjoyed by the news! Imagine that now we no longer have to spend day after drudgingly dull day doing the mundane, the routine, the boring process of analyzing and crunching numbers. We are free to explore, to create, to live. This is exactly what I have been waiting for the last 20 years. I had a hunch this would happen sooner or later. The glorious time has arrived!

Left Brain: No, no, no…it's all wrong. It just doesn't compute. She cannot function out there in such an unplanned and spontaneous atmosphere. She cannot survive in such a fanciful career. Let's be practical here. She needs organization; she needs detail. She has no business turning her back on the very thing that has been her bread and butter all these years. She has no right leaving a business career for something so ridiculous. It is totally irrational.

Right Brain: Aha! You've hit the nail on the proverbial head. Writing is a business. She is definitely going to need all those organizational skills to gather her thoughts and get her queries written. She is going to need her analytical abilities and marketing skills to help target her work to the appropriate publication. She will be utilizing her researching and interviewing techniques in writing those wonderfully detailed articles. And just wait until the money starts rolling in! Boy, won't her financial dexterity come in handy then? This is a dream come true!

Left Brain: Well, I suppose those are valid points. In theory, it does make perfect sense that business skills are a necessity if one is to succeed in the writing field. I suppose it would be reasonable to assume that given her strengths in these areas, she is well equipped to deal with such a demanding and competitive industry. Yes, she thrives on challenge and competition. I think it is, in fact, quite fair to say she will succeed based on those factors. But, what's in it for you?

Right Brain: I envision finally being appreciated for my incredible creative talents. I sense a whole new realm is about to explode inside of us, one filled with remarkably fantastic ideas and original notions, at times extravagant, at times unbelievable. We are about to embark on a wild and untamed journey, one that can lead us to unfathomable new heights. It is the most exciting and emotionally charged time that I can remember since, well since that creative writing class in college. I am a-tingle with anticipation!

Left Brain: Well, all I can say is, thank goodness she is ambidextrous!

© Terri Mrosko. All rights reserved. This article originally appeared online in Inscriptions Magazine. Reprint rights available by contacting Terri Mrosko.