Red Means Stop. Youth Means Never Stop Moving.
Dear Drew,
I don't know where to start, so I'm going make this as concise as possible while still giving you the information you need, I do feel like a little back story is necessary ( sorry if it bores you). I sort of grew up as a child all over America with homebases in Portland and San Francisco. My mom decided to homeschool me and my slightly younger brother, not because she though our public educations were lacking, but because she was a artist, and bored as hell and needed to be on the road. It worked out well- me and my brother know more strange historical facts than any of our peers, and my dad would come visit us on the road for a week at a time, whatever hotel we were at ( he had a traveling job) and they are still happily married today. This upbringing however, is what is fueling my sickness and causing me to have conflict today.
When I was about 15 we stopped traveling and moved for good to Dana Point,Ca just a mile south of Laguna Beach. We ended up staying there through highschool, the longest I've ever stayed anywhere. Through highschool I pursued acting and directing at an academy for young young actors. Through college I lived in San Francisco, Hollywood, and San Diego, but finished a B.A. in Cinema by the time I was 22. By the time I was done, I was sure I wanted to act and direct and had already been in some major films, as well as made some shorts myself. I should have stayed in Hollywood and pursued my dream, but instead moved to Florida to work at magazine writing as well as be a therapist for young girls who are orphans. ( Hey, it sounded like a fun change, and I love the south.)
I stayed in Winter park writing and editing for about a year, and then picked up and moved everywhere. Literally. I started an online vintage store that I can take with me wherever I go, and always pays my large college loans,new car,rent etc- so it works. I also write freelance for a number of magazines, that helps too. I absolutely love living in different towns for a few months and getting to know the people. These new experiences also keep me inspired, and I've never been so productive in writing my novel as I have been now.
Here's the problem. I have recently gotten the opportunity to move back to southern California -actually several opportunites all just last week. Stuff I wasn't even pursuing myself. An amazing director/ photographer I used to work for has a project in modeling that pays excellently that he wants me to do. I have experience with these accounts, because I used to model in print ads for them when I was 19 for him. So it would be pretty easy work, and I have the opportunity to work on a great film with him this fall. Also, I have been accepted into a master program in literature, which I would love to pursue and maybe someday be a professor. Another weird thing that happened last week, I found out some of my bestfriends from Florida are moving to Long Beach and want me to help them open up a bar/ coffee house that resembles one of our favorites in Winterpark.
This is a lot of information, and I promise this letter is almost at it's close. These opportunites back home in LA seem like a open door, especially since they all made themselves known to me last week. I almost feel foolish for considering not going. The truth is, I love traveling and moving. I love meeting knew people. I think my writing and creativity has never been better. The thought of getting a lease in LA and staying there for as few years is really scary to me. I'm afraid I'm giving up and saying goodbye to this time in my life before I'm ready. When will I ever have the chance to do this again? What if I get married to someone who won't ever want to leave? I'm 25, so maybe I am being childish and too non-committal and I need to fix something about myself. I'm not sure. I definitely have to be a writer. Writing is what I care most about, but at the same time - these opportunites are things I have always wanted to do, and I don't want to pass them by. Is it possible to always have a life of travel like this, even when i'm old?
Drew, I know you can't give me the answer, but I need some advice, seriously. If I were to talk to my friends and family, they would say I need to be in California. They have a bias of missing me, and not understanding the gloriousness of being on the road, and they think I need to get a 9-5 job ( which I have had so many times, and I make more now and am way less miserable.)
Can you help me? Thanks for listening.
The girl with Peterpan-itis or Jack Kerouac-itis.
Dear girl with Peterpan-itis or Jack Kerouac-itis,
This question was a bit of a stumper for me, as it forced me to confront various conflicting traits & motivations within myself.
Personally, I love moving on, moving forward, away from the past and toward the uncertain future. I've moved around the United States my whole life, and I know I"ll relocate again someday.
Now, I usually associate moving with opportunity. The opportunity for a fresh new start, unstained memories and the chance to carve out a life for myself free of past experiences & troubles.
So, with all of that said, you would think my answer would be as simple as "get the fucking move-on to California," and this little column would come to an awkward close.
But, being a writer myself, I understand the invaluable nature of inspiration. It doesn't come easy, but inspiration is almost always initiated by change, and what could be better fodder for a writer than a constant change of scenerey, a life on the road?
So, I ask that we do like preschoolers do and come to what grownups call a "compromise."
If you have the opportunity to model, get a degree in literature, and open a bar with some friends, I think you should take it, if only for the inevitable sitcom deal you'll get when you option your life story to McG.
But, and this is a big but, you can only take this opportunity under one condition: despite all of these incredible new activities, jobs, roles, & challenges, you have to guarantee yourself time & space to WRITE.
Seriously. If making the trek to SoCal means your writing time is leaving your schedule to spend more time with it's family, then I'd say you're making a grave mistake.
You say you're a writer. Writers write. They don't just talk about writing, they don't lament about not having time to write anymore, and they sure as hell don't constantly blabber at bars and streetcorners about what great ideas they have, if only they had time/talent to sit down and put them all to paper.
If so, every single motherfucker in Los Angeles is a writer.
So there's the rub. You can't let your life become too busy to override who you are. It's just like professionals who make career decisions that might hamper success, in order to have a personal/family life. They put something first, and no matter what, that goal always receives preferential treatment.
So, if you want to indulge yourself in all the cake you can eat, make the move and bring the typewriter.
If you're worried about losing inspiration, don't. Find ways & times to make writing an adventure. Have friends scattered all over the place? Go for writing visits. There is so much beauty in California, and it's surrounding areas, to experience during all-day trips across open roads with the window down and the perfect, moment-encapsulating soundtrack blasting from your stereo.
I assure you, between modeling, earning a literary degree, and working & playing with friends or family, you will have plenty of new people & experiences to write about.
Just remember to change the names to protect the innocent.
Drew Lindo has a new email address. Send all of your questions to askdrewlindo@gmail.com.
Click here to email Drew Lindo!
I don't know where to start, so I'm going make this as concise as possible while still giving you the information you need, I do feel like a little back story is necessary ( sorry if it bores you). I sort of grew up as a child all over America with homebases in Portland and San Francisco. My mom decided to homeschool me and my slightly younger brother, not because she though our public educations were lacking, but because she was a artist, and bored as hell and needed to be on the road. It worked out well- me and my brother know more strange historical facts than any of our peers, and my dad would come visit us on the road for a week at a time, whatever hotel we were at ( he had a traveling job) and they are still happily married today. This upbringing however, is what is fueling my sickness and causing me to have conflict today.
When I was about 15 we stopped traveling and moved for good to Dana Point,Ca just a mile south of Laguna Beach. We ended up staying there through highschool, the longest I've ever stayed anywhere. Through highschool I pursued acting and directing at an academy for young young actors. Through college I lived in San Francisco, Hollywood, and San Diego, but finished a B.A. in Cinema by the time I was 22. By the time I was done, I was sure I wanted to act and direct and had already been in some major films, as well as made some shorts myself. I should have stayed in Hollywood and pursued my dream, but instead moved to Florida to work at magazine writing as well as be a therapist for young girls who are orphans. ( Hey, it sounded like a fun change, and I love the south.)
I stayed in Winter park writing and editing for about a year, and then picked up and moved everywhere. Literally. I started an online vintage store that I can take with me wherever I go, and always pays my large college loans,new car,rent etc- so it works. I also write freelance for a number of magazines, that helps too. I absolutely love living in different towns for a few months and getting to know the people. These new experiences also keep me inspired, and I've never been so productive in writing my novel as I have been now.
Here's the problem. I have recently gotten the opportunity to move back to southern California -actually several opportunites all just last week. Stuff I wasn't even pursuing myself. An amazing director/ photographer I used to work for has a project in modeling that pays excellently that he wants me to do. I have experience with these accounts, because I used to model in print ads for them when I was 19 for him. So it would be pretty easy work, and I have the opportunity to work on a great film with him this fall. Also, I have been accepted into a master program in literature, which I would love to pursue and maybe someday be a professor. Another weird thing that happened last week, I found out some of my bestfriends from Florida are moving to Long Beach and want me to help them open up a bar/ coffee house that resembles one of our favorites in Winterpark.
This is a lot of information, and I promise this letter is almost at it's close. These opportunites back home in LA seem like a open door, especially since they all made themselves known to me last week. I almost feel foolish for considering not going. The truth is, I love traveling and moving. I love meeting knew people. I think my writing and creativity has never been better. The thought of getting a lease in LA and staying there for as few years is really scary to me. I'm afraid I'm giving up and saying goodbye to this time in my life before I'm ready. When will I ever have the chance to do this again? What if I get married to someone who won't ever want to leave? I'm 25, so maybe I am being childish and too non-committal and I need to fix something about myself. I'm not sure. I definitely have to be a writer. Writing is what I care most about, but at the same time - these opportunites are things I have always wanted to do, and I don't want to pass them by. Is it possible to always have a life of travel like this, even when i'm old?
Drew, I know you can't give me the answer, but I need some advice, seriously. If I were to talk to my friends and family, they would say I need to be in California. They have a bias of missing me, and not understanding the gloriousness of being on the road, and they think I need to get a 9-5 job ( which I have had so many times, and I make more now and am way less miserable.)
Can you help me? Thanks for listening.
The girl with Peterpan-itis or Jack Kerouac-itis.
Dear girl with Peterpan-itis or Jack Kerouac-itis,
This question was a bit of a stumper for me, as it forced me to confront various conflicting traits & motivations within myself.
Personally, I love moving on, moving forward, away from the past and toward the uncertain future. I've moved around the United States my whole life, and I know I"ll relocate again someday.
Now, I usually associate moving with opportunity. The opportunity for a fresh new start, unstained memories and the chance to carve out a life for myself free of past experiences & troubles.
So, with all of that said, you would think my answer would be as simple as "get the fucking move-on to California," and this little column would come to an awkward close.
But, being a writer myself, I understand the invaluable nature of inspiration. It doesn't come easy, but inspiration is almost always initiated by change, and what could be better fodder for a writer than a constant change of scenerey, a life on the road?
So, I ask that we do like preschoolers do and come to what grownups call a "compromise."
If you have the opportunity to model, get a degree in literature, and open a bar with some friends, I think you should take it, if only for the inevitable sitcom deal you'll get when you option your life story to McG.
But, and this is a big but, you can only take this opportunity under one condition: despite all of these incredible new activities, jobs, roles, & challenges, you have to guarantee yourself time & space to WRITE.
Seriously. If making the trek to SoCal means your writing time is leaving your schedule to spend more time with it's family, then I'd say you're making a grave mistake.
You say you're a writer. Writers write. They don't just talk about writing, they don't lament about not having time to write anymore, and they sure as hell don't constantly blabber at bars and streetcorners about what great ideas they have, if only they had time/talent to sit down and put them all to paper.
If so, every single motherfucker in Los Angeles is a writer.
So there's the rub. You can't let your life become too busy to override who you are. It's just like professionals who make career decisions that might hamper success, in order to have a personal/family life. They put something first, and no matter what, that goal always receives preferential treatment.
So, if you want to indulge yourself in all the cake you can eat, make the move and bring the typewriter.
If you're worried about losing inspiration, don't. Find ways & times to make writing an adventure. Have friends scattered all over the place? Go for writing visits. There is so much beauty in California, and it's surrounding areas, to experience during all-day trips across open roads with the window down and the perfect, moment-encapsulating soundtrack blasting from your stereo.
I assure you, between modeling, earning a literary degree, and working & playing with friends or family, you will have plenty of new people & experiences to write about.
Just remember to change the names to protect the innocent.
Drew Lindo has a new email address. Send all of your questions to askdrewlindo@gmail.com.
Click here to email Drew Lindo!
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