Hello, hello.
It’s been a little while. Longer than I intended. Sorry about that.
See, the thing is, I’ve been making moves. I’ve invested in myself and my writing skills in the hopes of finding a career in writing, because I’m determined to make it happen. At any cost.
How It Started
I’ll avoid the nitty-gritty of my writerly background, because I waxed lyrical about that in my last blog post, which you can find here. To make a long story short, I’ve been writing songs since I was eight (that’s 16 years!) and I’ve been going to school for music since 2021.
But!
I’ve also dabbled a lot in fan fiction, original fiction, and even writing scripts. I just love to write. ANYTHING. As long as it sparks joy, that is.
But that’s the thing about me: I’m very excitable. If something tickles even the slightest bit of my fancy, you can bet I’ll be writing about it by the end of the week, be it a cheesy fanfic about my favourite couple in a TV show, a musical heavily inspired by my favourite media or tropes, or an analysis of my latest song obsession.
Let’s just say, my desire to write professionally isn’t out of nowhere. In fact, I’m shocked it’s taken me this long to pursue it.
But how does one make writing a full-time job with no “professional” portfolio or credentials to back them up?
You go through Word Tonic.
That’s right! I’m proud to say, after seeing many a meme-filled Instagram ad from Word Tonic about making copywriting a viable job for Gen-Z writers like me, I’ve been hooked. It’s my time to turn my lifelong passion into my rest-of-my-life-long job.
How It’s Going
Welllllllll...
I’ll admit, I haven’t been as on top of things as I’d like to say I’ve been. I could easily lie and say I’ve been off doing miraculous things, but I always prefer the truth. And the truth is? I’ve been depressed. I’ve been stuck in the apartment most days, and whenever I do go out and do groceries or spend time with friends, that’s a major win for me.
See, back in June, I was diagnosed with sciatica (basically, my back muscles hate me). And after a lot of thought, I quit my job in September. Since then, I’ve been struggling to keep my chin up. But Word Tonic has given me hope for a future of doing something I actually love. And since I started going to the gym to get my body back in working order, I’m feeling better than I ever have. That sounds like hyperbole. It’s not.
So now, I’m getting back into the swing of things. I’m writing as often as my depression will let me (perks of having an actual disorder). I’ve written seven songs in the past two weeks. I’ve completed my submission for Word Tonic’s next anthology (coming this January!). And I’ve enrolled in yet another year of school, this time to learn about music business and artist development.
That sounds like a lot, though, so which will come out on top?
How It’s Going to Be
I worried that when I mentioned my new goal to learn to copywrite with Word Tonic to my family, they would think I would quit music. And I would have laughed. Hard. There’s no way in hell I’d ever give up on music. It’s such an intrinsic part of me that I wouldn’t know who I’d be if I ever stopped.
But they didn’t.
My parents just said, “okay.” My boyfriend and other friends were chill with it, too. Because I have the great fortune of being surrounded by people who believe in me. People who are so supportive and so encouraging. And for them, I’m eternally grateful.
My mom especially. Never once in my entire life has she made me feel inferior, or like I’m stupid, or I can’t do something I want to do. She’s the reason I am who I am. Her support through each of my endeavours in life has shaped me into the resilient person I like to think I am today.
When I told her about my copywriting goals, she didn’t say, “What about music?” or “Aren’t you too young?” No, she just said, “okay.”
Because in our family, it’s never a matter of Plan A vs. Plan B. We don’t believe in that stuff. To me, if you’re already making a “Plan B,” you may not be fully committed to your “Plan A.” If you want something, go for it – no excuses, no “if X happens, then I’ll do Y,” no doubting yourself. You’re too cool to doubt yourself. Call me conceited, but I think I’m too cool to doubt myself, too. To restrict myself to just one potential future seems silly.
For me, whatever happens, happens. I’ll work toward any and all of my goals, because I believe all of them are possible. I don’t believe there’s just one possible future out there for me.
I love music, so I’m going to keep going to school to learn about it.
I love songwriting, so I’m going to keep doing it, and soon I’m going to put out my debut demo album.
I love writing scripts, and one day I’m going to direct my own musical.
I love writing, and one day I’m going to publish my own book.
But all that will be in good time. There’s no limit to what I can accomplish except for the limits I impose on myself, so the minute I stop limiting myself is the minute anything becomes possible. I will do all of the above. There’s no special order it needs to be done in. There’re no ifs or buts, only ands. I can be a songwriter, and I can be a copywriter, and I can be a director, and I can do anything else I put my mind to.
It’s as simple as believing I can.
Keep looking forward,
Roman Ellis
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