Call me a sucker but just looking at this inspires me. Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity? Sign me up!
I'm doing research, reading a book on how to become an FBI agent. It's dry, pedantic, and yet just reading about the application process, the screening, even the colors and symbolism of the logo, tugs at something within me. A competitive spark, and a patriotic one.
Yep, this is how you recognize grist for the mill of writing. If you're a writer you know the good stuff when you see it, when you hear it or feel it. Listen to that voice and write from that passion, and it will come alive for others.
The screening, testing and training for the FBI are pretty rigorous, and my main character Lei Texeira is thinking about those challenges somewhere in the netherworld where our characters draw breath. I've come to believe it's something like Jungian psychology; characters live in the collective unconscious and we writers are privileged to ferry them out of the underworld.
All this should tell you I'm plotting my fourth book in the Lei Crime Series even as I prepare for the publication and launch of the first book. With all that going on–maybe because of it–within me rises a regret, a longing for lost opportunities. I wish for parallel universes where alternate life paths come true.
Star Trek fan anyone? Remember all the alternate universes? Who knows, it might be true on some level.
In some other life, I'd have liked to be an FBI agent. Now I'm too old to even apply. Oh, and I'm too nearsighted to have ever qualified. (Isn't that discrimination? Apparently they can set these standards and get away with them) They are very uptight about vision, probably all that target practice. *pout* Not my fault I'm blinder than a bat.
I'll chalk “FBI Agent” up in the column of noncareers that I never had- along with psychiatrist (I'm always thinking I can do better with meds than the psychiatrists working with my clients) lawyer (God knows I love to argue) and TV journalist (Barbara Walters reminds me of a therapist and boy does she know how to pry info out of people).
When you're young, it's all ahead. You imagine that you really could do anything, especially if you were born with the extra dose of imagination and grandiosity I was. Life eventually smacks some sense into you, you choose a path and find something you love to do and can do competently, and you live it.
If you're even that lucky and determined.
But if you're a writer, all those other lives become possible. This is part of why it's so addicting. Yes, writers are passionate people–especially crime writers, who deal with the dark underbelly of human motivation and drama. We feel deeply, and most of us love justice and keep the sword-edge of it sharp and close- sometimes so close it cuts.
What are your paths wished for and not taken? What would you have been in an alternate universe?
COOL! The FBI and CIA seem to be following me around these days (I mean, in the books I’ve happened upon lately). I’d have been a star on Broadway, a master quilter, and an agricultural engineer bringing water to the world!
I love it- the agricultural engineer who brings water, while singing and developing a quilting industry among the people!
I wish I were a novelist maybe I could become an opera star, chef and a list of other wonderful careers
Hi Lady Bren, thanks so much for popping in to comment! How about a singing chef?
As a senior citizen, this is my very favorite subject. My choices have all been made. Many if not all the consequences of those choices already experienced. All I ever wanted was 4 children. Very 1950’s. One day, after everybody had left the nest, I remembered that that was my life’s dream, and that I did it. What a thrill that was! To think that I had actually accomplished all I dreamed of, while I was so busy doing life!
I think we need to differentiate between being and doing. Big difference. How successful we are in what we do in life is dependent on our ability to Be all the things that being requires. If we can’t Be in the moment, we have squandered it. So that is the real challenge facing us all. It is probably easier to be in the moment if you are doing something you love, but that is not a given. So being true to oneself, being grateful for every opportunity, every gift, every little tiny thing is so much more important than any career path, any activity that makes us think we have done it.
This is not just the rationalization of a woman whose ‘career’ consisted of cleaning for others. It is actually life on life’s terms, something none of us hear about when we are busy dreaming our dreams.
I had an FBI man show up at my door when Toby was under 1 year old. I opened the door, he said, “FBI, Mam,” just like in the movies, and I said, “Just a moment”, just like in MY movie, and walked 10 ft across the living room to the window, where 10ft tall pot plants were filling the space. I pulled down the blind, went back to the door, opened it, and said, “Come in”…. (My ex boyfriend was trying to join the Peace Corps, and he was interviewing me about his character.)… I am not even sure the FBI knew what pot plants looked like in 1964, but I wasn’t taking any chances!
What an awesome story and I can’t believe I never heard that one! LOL~!
I love your wisdom on this. THanks so much for sharing! Being and doing…you’re right, big difference.