It took me a long time to even dare to envision myself as a writer. I was very uncertain and hesitant and afraid to pursue a creative life.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
In retrospect, it seems like everything in my life led to me becoming a writer. I just didn't realise it at the time.
I had just been in some repressive situations - the black middle-class college scene and the crazy United States Air Force - and so I just felt like getting out of that. I thought, now, that I wanted to be a writer. I had something that I wanted to do, that I was interested in doing, so I wanted to pursue that.
I couldn't be a writer without hope. I think I became a writer because I'm pretty optimistic.
I can't say that I ever actually decided to become a writer. It kind of snuck up on me.
I never wanted to be anything but a writer, and I never let go of it.
I don't think I knew I would be a writer. I wanted to become a writer, and I tried to write.
I was always meant to be a writer. I've felt that way since I was a child.
I was always attracted and repelled by the idea of being a writer.
Writing happened to me. I didn't decide to start writing or to be a writer. I never wanted to be a writer.
I never even dreamt of being a writer because I didn't feel allowed. When I was a child I was terribly ambitious, but I didn't know at all what this great thing would become.