Courtney’s Story

To call oneself a writer is a really bold step. It asserts that one doesn’t just enjoy writing, but is actually expert at it. Until recently, I never dared to call myself a writer. Writing has always been something that I’ve done and enjoyed. But I never had the moxy to declare it as my personal identifier. Besides thinking that calling myself a writer meant that I had to be skilled enough conjugate a sentence on command, it also felt a little unfair to those who live, and starve, by their pen. Could I truly lay claim to being a writer if I wasn’t willing to leave the comfort of a full-time 401K-bearing job to travel with stacks of self-published chapbooks to book fairs and open mics?

What I’ve realized recently, is that in my career, I’ve gravitated to employment positions where writing has been a huge part of my everyday experience. Currently, I work in nonprofit fundraising, with grant writing and grant reporting comprising a major part of my job. Previously, I worked as a research analyst in education policy, where I authored major reports. I’ve been through the writing process and have enjoyed the euphoria of finishing a draft followed by the heartbreak of seeing said draft return in need of major surgery. I’ve taken my writing hits, lost words, found inspiration and come away with the understanding that yes, I am a writer–if only because that is the only thing I’ve ever really been able to do.

So now, I claim it. I am a writer. What’s more, I Write For The Cause. A writer is who I am. But what I care about is correcting the social inequities that exist in our society. So I Write For The Cause to help shine a light on the injustices that exist, tell the stories of people and communities working to correct those injustices, and help organizations working for the public interest gain support for their work.

My mission now: to become the best, most well-versed, technically sound, artful, passionate, inspiring, thought-provoking, grounded and fearless writer that I can be.

I welcome and thank you for being a part of my journey.

~Courtney