Is This Your Life?

I subscribe to a bunch of pages on my social media feed, many of them related to writing.  One of my favorites is K. M. Weiland’s Helping Writers Become Authors.  Her Facebook posts are full of ways to help budding authors – like myself – improve our craft.  From getting started to tips on how to create realistic character arcs; inspirational quotes for writers from other writers, to the ever tongue-in-cheek witticisms known as “You Know You’re A Writer When…”
Today, while playing around on Facebook  (I know, I know.  I should have been writing), I came across her Writing Question of the Day:

“What is it about writing that tells you that this is what you want to do with your life?”

This topic has been on my mind of late.  After six months of six-day work weeks I am suffering from a combination of job burn-out and what we like to call “vacationitis” (my vacation starts in 15 days, but who’s counting?).  The more I think of my upcoming trip and spending so much time with my Sister and Fave Nephie, the more I want to drop everything here and move closer to them and write full time.  As appealing as it sounds, I know it is not a realistic option.
Yet.
So I sat in front of my screen and looked at the question for a while, thinking about writing and if I truly want it to be my career.  My future.
I did not take long to ponder this, the answer is a resounding YES!
I’ve been telling stories for a long time.  From the moment I picked up my first pencil I knew I had discovered an outlet for my creativity.  I could express myself much more eloquently through prose than I ever could by any other means.  When the world becomes too much for my introvert brain to handle, I always have my writing.  I have my 3am philosophy.  I have my poetry.
And now I have my novels.
Writing makes me happy in a way that nothing else does.  It makes me realize there is an outlet for my creativity and worries; that I have the freedom to express myself in the best way I know how.  That a person’s uniqueness can – and should – be celebrated, not shunned.  That there is always the opportunity for a happy ending, no matter how bleak life looks sometimes.
We all have stories to tell.  Some people speak them aloud; some people play them through music and yet others produce them on film or with paints.
I did not choose writing, writing chose me.
And now, I must write.

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Now it is your turn to answer this question:  Are you a creator?  A writer?  A painter, a musician or dancer?  A knitter?  A Mom?  How did you know this was the life you were chosen for?
To one commentator will go a gift card to the e-retailer of your choice.