My New Chapter

Finding My Way Back to Writing

When I was little, I fancied myself an author.

I’d scribble short stories in the blank pages of yearbooks or on the backs of homework assignments—my tales far more important than the fractions on the other side.

Eventually, writing took a backseat to life: high school, boys, college, boys, career, marriage (I found him!), and motherhood.

With my two daughters now enrolled in school full-time, there really was no excuse not to pick up the pen again (well, more accurately, to go buy myself a laptop). At 42, I have rediscovered the magic of storytelling and its quiet power to heal.

The short stories and vignettes I share here are snapshots from my life—touching on nostalgia, loss, trauma, grief, and healing. My hope is that starting here will one day give me the courage to submit my memoir, a much larger project.

Yes, I know the memoir market is crowded, and yes, I’ve heard all the warnings about how hard it is to get one published if you’re not already famous. I’ve been warned over and over.

But it’s not impossible. Just hard. And I can do hard.

I may not be known for my patience, but for this dream, I will be. And if this ends up being the only way I reach readers, so be it. This step alone feels fulfilling.

My goal is to build a small community of readers who enjoy stories drawn from real-life experience—from the joyful and funny to the ugly and sad. I plan to share a new story or vignette every couple of weeks—whenever the memories choose to grace me with their presence.

I have never shared my work publicly outside of those who love me most, or the small cohort of women who joined me in a professional writing course (my first one ever): Writing Your Recovery with Ann Dowsett Johnston.

That alone is intimidating. I can only imagine the anxiety and nervousness that posting for strangers will bring. But I am slowly discovering how essential feedback is for growth—whether as a professional writer or simply someone who writes as a hobby.

So here I am—ready to share, ready to learn, and ready to grow.

Sincerely,

Devin Lombardi
daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, writer

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