12/11/2023 - My SCBWI “member bio” on SCBWI.org:
A Years-Long Journey to Becoming an Author
When I was in elementary school, I enjoyed writing funny stories to share with my class. Their laughter motivated me to write more.
Through the rest of school and into young adulthood, I just wrote for me. Except, while in college I did write papers in English on topics and theory in economics, and papers in Spanish on Spanish and Latin American literature.
After attending my college graduation at age 29 (with wife and children in tow), I landed a beloved job with Nike. For 15 years I corresponded with Nike endorsees – athletes, coaches, universities, professional sports organizations, and their agents. In the beginning, this was in the context of tracking and fulfilling contractual obligations to endorsees. Later, I was part of a team drafting and negotiating endorsement contracts. All this writing was extremely dry. Total accuracy and efficiency over any creativity whatsoever.
I moved on to a much more beloved job as a teacher of elementary grade students and English language learners. When I needed published mentor text to use with my students, but could not find it, I wrote it myself. Total creativity with the necessary accuracy and efficiency. I loved writing for kids and dreamed of someday writing to be published. But I never seemed to have enough time and energy for that.
Today I do.
Whether my years-long journey ends in fame and fortune, or just plain obscure anonymity, that does not matter. I’m having a blast!
Cheers,
David Waite
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