Following Your Passion

Author L.A. Lewandowski

I don’t want to introduce myself by being trite or speaking in clichés. But in reading the previous introductory posts of my fellow writers here on Indies Unlimited one thing is very apparent: we’ve all pursued writing as a passion or maybe even as the great love of our lives. And in the case of Indies Unlimited, I feel as if I’ve been given a Golden Ticket, a la Willy Wonka. Thank you Stephen Hise for the generous opportunity.

For me, the knowledge that I was a writer was not as innate as some of my contemporaries. I did have passions, starting with my desire to be a professional ballet dancer. Realizing I wasn’t good enough to feed myself caused a stunning bipolar reaction: why not become an attorney instead? That didn’t work out either. Law school is grueling not to mention expensive and I was already supporting myself and soon to be married. Second passion down the drain.

I settled in corporate America. And while the industry I worked in was fascinating, I was unfulfilled. Personally, my life was wonderful and when my husband had an opportunity in Florida I left the grey skies and the rat race of New Jersey behind and moved to Tampa, Florida.

Can I say this is when Lois began? This sounds very dramatic but is not far from the truth. No longer having to punch a clock and to work what I had always referred to as “a man’s job” allowed me to reflect on what I really wanted to do. Family became the center of my life, raising two beautiful children that I could send into the world as kind, self-sufficient adults. But what else did I want to do?

I learned to play tennis. I planted a rose garden. Orchids are easier, so that was a natural migration. My family enjoyed my cooking and I became very good at it. Finally, I had time to read all the books I had promised myself. Another idea began to form: Could I actually write a book?

Cut to the chase – I did. I took all the things I love, put them in a book and that is why I am here writing with this wonderful group of talented authors.

Can I keep up with them? I’ll certainly try. But honestly, I’ve never seen such a focused group of hard-working people in all my years of corporate life. Writing is a 24-hour deal. When we’re not writing we’re thinking about writing and hopefully we don’t walk into traffic.

So here I am, bringing my experiences and hopefully, unique perspective to this nascent blog. Oh, and a fillip of fabulousness. It’s a dirty job but someone has to do it.

*     *     *     *     *

L.A. Lewandowski is a Contributing Author for Indies Unlimited and author of the novel, Born to Die-The Montauk Murders. For more information please see the IU Bio page and her blog: http://www.cultureandcuisineclub.com

[subscribe2]

Author: L. A. Lewandowski

Lois Lewandowski graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Political Science and French Literature. A passion for life lived well is reflected in her novels, Born to Die-The Montauk Murders, A Gourmet Demise, and My Gentleman Vampire, giving readers a glimpse into the world of the beau monde. Lois lives in Tampa, Florida. Learn more at her lifestyle blog, and her Amazon author page.

36 thoughts on “Following Your Passion”

    1. Oh Cathy,

      LOL. I've been writing so much that lots of things have to take a back seat. I noticed dust under the couch, and when I tried to swiffer it the dust bunnies jumped out and attacked me! I had to run for my life. At least that's my story.

      I enjoy your pieces and look forward to reading the next one.

    1. Which writer isn't working hard? Report him or her immediately to the Dark Lord and the Mistress of Minions. No gruel for them!

      Ballet taught me lots of things, like doing something a million times to make it look effortless. I would have been a great attorney. I talk a lot and can really argue a point if I set my mind to it. Ask my husband.

  6. I hope I made that up. 🙂

    I've been writing all day and I needed to go to the bank. I looked down when I was there and realized I was wearing these ridiculous slippers. Thank God they have a drive thru.

  8. Now your memoir has a title, Lois: Slippers in the Drive Thru.

    So good to see you here and I love how everyone's journey toward this elusive state of "being a writer" is so unique.

      3. Lois, I remember once (back in the dark ages) when I was in high school, while walking home with my friends we discovered my one friend's nightgown hanging down below her skirt. Now that's pretty silly!

        And to tell on myself, I used to play the piano at church. One week-night meeting I walked up to the piano and someone quickly trotted behind me. My full skirt had got caught up in the elastic at the waist and my slip was in full view at the back. She pulled it down for me and I felt really stupid. And it wasn't a ladies only meeting.:-)

        1. Diane,

          That's funny … now.

          I knew someone that after working really late went to Home Depot the next morning. She's talking to the guy in the paint dept and she looks down and something is sticking out of her pant leg. He sees her look. She reaches down and pulls a pair of panties out of the pant leg and puts it in her handbag. Really cool.

      1. Forty love? Advantage Lois? 😉

        Oh, if you haven't already, you guys should read Infinite Jest. Set in a tennis academy and a rehab centre. Possibly the most infuriating yet brilliant book I've had the (good/mis)fortune to wrestle with. Insane, obsessive-compulsive, but when it soars, it soars.

          1. And in the interests of fairness, it's probably important to point out that it took me four years to read… and that the author, David Foster Wallace, who was probably a genius, ended up committing suicide. 🙁

        1. Is that Bugs Bunny?

          I exhale when I hit the ball. If you yelled, "Service" as you hit the ball it's called a voice let and not courteous. Grunting is ok, tho. 🙂

          I don't have any cold cuts in the house, so no sandwich for you.

          I'm making brownies, now. No additional fiber.

  12. An optional prerequisite for the modern writer is to have done a series of mediocre / unsuccessful / dangerous / boring previous jobs and undertakings, so you qualify rather well, Lois.

    If you count my stints as cook and heraldic artist, I have held almost a dozen jobs that led me to writing. And yes, the experiences do figure if you read carefully.

    People are intrigued by difference and sparkle. And you have both. Rock on.

  14. Welcome to the loony bin, Lois. Steve keeps us at bay with extra grog on Fridays. Great to have a fellow Floridian on board. There's a ton of great material happening under our noses every day.

Comments are closed.