S TA R L E T T E R
DEFINING SUCCESS
Am I a writer? Am I a success?
I’m a single mother of two. I recently left a career, working full-time (at the very least) in addition to running a household and parenting my daughters. I was a success. I had studied for three years at a good university to enter this career. I was also stressed, unhappy and run into the ground. All I thought about was writing. With my full-time job, I didn’t have the time or energy. Without my job I could not pay the bills. Rock, hard place, you know the story. My mental health was severely declining and I made the decision to leave my ‘successful career’. I got a part time job in a café, a lovely lively hub of social activity. I work eight hours a day, three days a week and truly enjoy it. Making this change enables me to have more time to parent, a full-time job in itself! I also am able to find time for writing. I don’t mean only ‘writing’ but researching, learning, developing the craft and reading Writing Magazine. Money can be tight, but my mental health is good. It would be wonderful if one day I could progress to make writing a financial success, but if that doesn’t happen, I will have the success of happiness and isn’t that something we should all aim to achieve? I am a writer. I am a success.
KIMBERLEY REED Filey, North Yorkshire
The star letter each month earns a copy of the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook 2022, courtesy of Bloom sbury.