Blogging has been around for centuries at this point. You can say I’m not an early adopter, but I guess some things are inevitable.
So I have the generic description of “writer” set next to my name and you are thinking something along the lines of “Great another writer, that’s so original.” But if you’re here reading this, I’ll do the right thing and differentiate myself.
When I say I am a writer, I mean that my passion is for creating with words. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in English and subsequently I’ve read many of the classics. While in college at the turn of this last century, I had ambitions to change the world with some great literary piece and I worked for years on a book that mirrored Christ’s passion. But that all was for naught and the idea sits in a hanging folder in my desk drawer.
Also, while I was attending college, again nearly two and half decades ago, I was in a pop punk band. I was one of three primary lyricists, crafting coming of age words to upbeat power chords and blast beats. Now, as I sit in my living room in my forties, I still play those tunes and think about where I’ve been since originally penning the ideas and phrases of a twenty year old.
I am a professional writer also, but not in the way that you would normally think. I have been in law enforcement for fifteen years, working as a patrol officer, an investigator and for more than half my career, as a first line supervisor. Being a sergeant is a little like being an English teacher, because I have to help shape thoughts and ideas into some semblance of articulation. I am leaned on by my bosses as well as my subordinates in crafting messages and producing logical reports.
So, as I close out my inaugural blog post, I acknowledge that I am more than fashionably late to the party. I, like a friend of mine, showed up nine hours late and missed the cake cutting. I am here for a reason, because after nearly twenty-five years of wanting to be a writer, I am going to do it. I currently sit at the midpoint of my first novel, which I plan to finish by November. Additionally, I have spent the last year silently releasing music onto Spotify, and I am going to increase my output there also.
The party’s not over yet, will you spend some time with me?
R.L. Carpentier, writer 