I'm a writer. I'm also 60, a former journalist and a full-time (that does not mean 40 hours a week, trust me), ghostwriter. I collaborate on various writing projects with Melissa G Wilson, best-selling author of Networlding.com fame.
I write business books and memoirs, and have blogged for business authors who *write* for the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and The Jerusalem Post. I am an associate editor for Airstream LIfe Magazine; a blogger for Homes.com (ironic isn't it? lol!) and I'm in the process of launching a business magazine for new, underfunded, bootstrapping entrepreneurs called, The Virginia Entrepreneur.
I spoke at TED Global at Oxford in 2009 about being homeless for a year (almost two). While at Oxford I lived above the cafeteria where the dining hall in Harry Potter was filmed. That often impresses kids more than the fact I lived in my van with a Rottweiler and a cat. I'm more recognized than rich. But that's okay. People can often be more entertaining than money.
My favorite photo from the time I was in Oxford is of my wine glass setting between the toes of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. I set it there because the juxtaposition of a man-eating dinosaur in the midst of a room of billionaires, millionaires and party-goers, including me, a homeless woman sharing my story, was just too — um, hysterical — to me. Reality takes a turn through the Twilight Zone. Proof that time changes everything and even the powerful ultimately fall. I know. Too esoteric for an About page. I'll dig it up and post later. I promise.
I began writing at the age of 10, not so much by choice but as a way to survive. My father, referred to throughout my writing as either "the bastard" or "the monster," used to get drunk, come into my room, and (1) beat me with his belt for no, or any, reason; (2) molest me or (3) both of the above. One day, he commanded me to strip all my clothes off. I could smell the alcohol on him. I had done something, he wasn't sure what, but it seemed to him that I needed to be stripped and beaten.
No one else was home and I sensed things were getting worse in this sick game of his. I responded to his accusation that I needed to be beaten with a counter offer. Let me write an essay about why he shouldn't beat me. Fortunately my father was more obsessed with education, writing and a challenge than with violence. The idea seemed to intrigue him and he agreed. For the next four years I would do this — write about why he shouldn't beat, abuse, ground or punish me. I was writing, literally, for my life. I think those early papers, if you believe Malcolm Gladwell, kickstarted the 10,000 hours I needed to become a writer. So here I am.
I ghost write other people's stories for a living. I love it, but I love telling my own stories more — not because they're necessarily better, but because I get to tell them the way I want to. Clients have their own agendas and point of view, we all do. That's not bad, but their story is not mine. I want to tell mine. So I'm writing this blog, and when all is said and done, I'm writing a book too. It's what I do. I'll post it here, not so I can make money (but that's cool too), but so I preserve the story and in sharing that part of myself I'll touch something in you that makes you want to live your life differently. You may not buy a boat, learn to sail and spend a season on the water, but maybe you'll find something else that challenges you and you'll be inspired enough to do it. I've learned that sharing my story touches lives in ways I never imagined. And it all came out of a desire not to be beaten or molested again. Good things do come out of bad. I did. You can too.
Me in 2009, age 54.
Me today, Feb 18, 2016, age 60.
I write business books and memoirs, and have blogged for business authors who *write* for the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and The Jerusalem Post. I am an associate editor for Airstream LIfe Magazine; a blogger for Homes.com (ironic isn't it? lol!) and I'm in the process of launching a business magazine for new, underfunded, bootstrapping entrepreneurs called, The Virginia Entrepreneur.
I spoke at TED Global at Oxford in 2009 about being homeless for a year (almost two). While at Oxford I lived above the cafeteria where the dining hall in Harry Potter was filmed. That often impresses kids more than the fact I lived in my van with a Rottweiler and a cat. I'm more recognized than rich. But that's okay. People can often be more entertaining than money.
My favorite photo from the time I was in Oxford is of my wine glass setting between the toes of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. I set it there because the juxtaposition of a man-eating dinosaur in the midst of a room of billionaires, millionaires and party-goers, including me, a homeless woman sharing my story, was just too — um, hysterical — to me. Reality takes a turn through the Twilight Zone. Proof that time changes everything and even the powerful ultimately fall. I know. Too esoteric for an About page. I'll dig it up and post later. I promise.
I began writing at the age of 10, not so much by choice but as a way to survive. My father, referred to throughout my writing as either "the bastard" or "the monster," used to get drunk, come into my room, and (1) beat me with his belt for no, or any, reason; (2) molest me or (3) both of the above. One day, he commanded me to strip all my clothes off. I could smell the alcohol on him. I had done something, he wasn't sure what, but it seemed to him that I needed to be stripped and beaten.
No one else was home and I sensed things were getting worse in this sick game of his. I responded to his accusation that I needed to be beaten with a counter offer. Let me write an essay about why he shouldn't beat me. Fortunately my father was more obsessed with education, writing and a challenge than with violence. The idea seemed to intrigue him and he agreed. For the next four years I would do this — write about why he shouldn't beat, abuse, ground or punish me. I was writing, literally, for my life. I think those early papers, if you believe Malcolm Gladwell, kickstarted the 10,000 hours I needed to become a writer. So here I am.
I ghost write other people's stories for a living. I love it, but I love telling my own stories more — not because they're necessarily better, but because I get to tell them the way I want to. Clients have their own agendas and point of view, we all do. That's not bad, but their story is not mine. I want to tell mine. So I'm writing this blog, and when all is said and done, I'm writing a book too. It's what I do. I'll post it here, not so I can make money (but that's cool too), but so I preserve the story and in sharing that part of myself I'll touch something in you that makes you want to live your life differently. You may not buy a boat, learn to sail and spend a season on the water, but maybe you'll find something else that challenges you and you'll be inspired enough to do it. I've learned that sharing my story touches lives in ways I never imagined. And it all came out of a desire not to be beaten or molested again. Good things do come out of bad. I did. You can too.
Me in 2009, age 54.
Me today, Feb 18, 2016, age 60.
Please continue your blog, 'Sailing Wild Betty Home" you'll never know what an inspiration you are to all us lurkers! It's knowing about people like you that attempt things we'd never dare that makes one believe that anything is possible and even if we fail it's the getting back up and giving it another go that makes it all worthwhile. After all, the excitement lies in the journey. Even a vicarious journey. Thanks! La'Nelle
ReplyDeleteThank you! I sooooo needed to hear this today. I am going sailing this weekend and will update the blog. Just feeling so overwhelmed. But thank you!! Your words are so encouraging!
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