lorlie6, From Bishop, California, 179 Fans, 19 Hubs, Joined 7 months ago
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lyricsingray chats with lorlie6
A shy flower opens up with a touching interview
Thank you, lorlie, for sharing a bit of yourself from both inside and outside of HubPages. Those who may not be aware, you and I have certainly supported each other through some challenging times. You have grown to be a dear friend to me, and today I am excited to learn even more.
I know lorlie you are a very private and quiet person. This interview for you is challenging, and not as easy as it may be for others. This makes me even more proud of you to demonstrate the courage you possess. Thank you for that Lorlie. See, the point is I know the woman behind the shy exterior. She is loving, compassionate, funny, talented, smart, and most of all strong-willed.
Let's chat, shall we?
1) Lorlie, who do you look up to or consider a mentor in your life, and why?
First of all, Lyricsingray, I want to thank you for this opportunity to communicate with other Hubbers in this specific way-in an interview. I don't have the current statistics on me, but I know that there are thousands of Hubbers who aren't presented with such a chance, simply because we have become such a huge community. You, Lyrics, were one of the very first Hubbers I got in touch with months ago when I joined. Your story affected me deeply, and continues to do so both as a writer and as a friend.
Now to your first question: over my 53 years I have had numerous people I've admired, but I don't think I'd consider calling any of them a 'mentor.' Although I can say with certainty that people who teach get my vote. I have always loved being a student, and was probably one for far too long! Somehow I always was able to get funding for just one more term, and I did. But as I see it now, I had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. So, I suppose I would mention every English, sociology, philosophy, and religion professor that I ever studied under as possible mentors. There, I've already contradicted myself, and it's only question one!
Truthfully, though, I was raised by teachers, and they did all they could to instill the love of knowledge in me at a young age. I still have it today.
2) Lorlie, why do you write? Example, we all write because we love to, but all of us write for other reasons as well, why do you?
I believe I've read this somewhere before, but I write for many reasons. Sorry if that sounds cheesy, but it is terribly true. As you know, Lyrics, I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. As I look back over my life, I see clearly how the disease of addiction has stunted my development as a human being. I began my career of drug addiction at the age of nine, and until 19 months ago, remained there emotionally. On a good day, I may be 11 emotionally. Using drugs and alcohol was my way of coping with the world for many, many years. I excelled in only one area, and that was academia. A fantasy world, if you will. I found writing early on in my scholastic career and composed essays, term papers, you name it--loving the process. I was also an avid reader and found solace in the writings of others. I was, as you've mentioned, quiet, as a child, and escaped regularly into the most improbable of novels for my age. I read Moby Dick at thirteen and absolutely adored it. No wonder I had no friends! I was an alcoholic by that age and could curl up with Mr. Melville and no one would be the wiser.
The first diary I owned came with a little lock and key. I still own this small piece of personal history, thankfully. I wrote then with fervor, for want of a better word. Events in my life were scribbled with a frantic emotionality that perhaps I tried to destroy with drugs and alcohol.
3) Do you consider yourself a true Hubber? Not just a person on site that writes but how do you define yourself with other criteria you believe creates a Hubber. What are those criteria for you?
This is a huge question for me, Lyrics. I joined HubPages back in June of 2009 but did not write my first Hub until August. I was very intimidated by the quality and quantity of writing on the site, so for the first few months I simply read Hubs. What an experience! The caliber of writing is first rate, and I was hesitant to contribute at all. But the more I read, the more I found that Hubbers are quite forthcoming people, willing to write their hearts out on the site, for all to see.
Once I truly understood this, I decided to join the party! So, I suppose my first criterion for a true Hubber would be courage. Honestly, it takes guts to put your life story down, and I am truly impressed with most all I've read. The second quality I would say defines a Hubber is the love of language. That's a given. I am particularly impressed with the perseverance of Hubbers whose language of origin is not English.
Their communication skills are extraordinary and so passionate. Lastly, the sense of community is second to none. I have never found such empathic and understanding people on an Internet site. I find that Hubbers are loyal to one another in a unique and personal way. I am here to stay.
4) You have written very touching, honest and courageous Hubs about the challenges in your life. When you write these Hubs, do you find it healing or painful?
Most of the Hubs I've written have been very cathartic, Lyrics. As an addict and alcoholic, I've stored most of my emotions away tidily. Writing is most painful while in process, but once I have written my 'transgressions,' I suppose, the healing begins.
5) More about your Hubs that you have written in the last 7 months. Any regrets for sharing, or circumstances you wished had been included?
Initially I was hesitant to write most of the Hubs I have written, but I have become aware that I am not the only one with 'issues!' So much support pours forth from comments and emails that I have become less and less afraid to share who it is that I am.
6) How did you find HubPages and what makes HubPages a place you continue to write with?
Well, I purchased my very first computer in March of last year and was looking at writing sites. Most of them were terribly competitive and not conducive to the novice writer's needs. I simply happened across HubPages and after 2 months, as I said, began to write.
One of my first Hubs dealt with an upcoming surgery-total hip replacement. I'm fairly young for such a procedure, but genetics get you every time! Actually, I was barely able to walk for much of the summer, and HubPages saw me through that-as well as my recovery. I am on HubPages to stay!
7) Lorlie, what do you want us to know about you that many of us do not already know?
I had the opportunity to spend 9 months in the People's Republic of China in 1985 as part of my Medical Sociology graduate studies. My experience there was life-changing, as you can imagine. I lived in a foreign languages institute in Beijing with students from all over the globe. The China of 1985 was a very tense one, post-Mao, but pre-Tiananmen Square.
The prevailing politics were not what impressed me most about the experience, though, it was the overwhelming sense of being a foreigner. I learned how it felt to be a stranger in a strange land.
8) I know this is a hard one for you, but you can do it. Lorlie, what do you think the most significant lessons in your life have been?
Ah, lessons. Probably the most important lesson I have had to learn over the years is not to take myself too seriously. I'm not saying life is not full of tragedies and losses, but it is also replete with love and new beginnings. I am proof of that. In June of 2008 I almost died of acute pancreatitis due to alcoholism. Drinking had become my entire identity, and, let's face it, I was essentially suicidal. Alcoholism is a very slow harbinger of death, and I had many years to work on it. I have not touched alcohol since the 24th of that month, and God willing, I never will again.
I have a new life that I did not know existed. I have hope. I'll never give up.
9) If you had to pick one Hubber that possessed talent, creativity, support, success, popularity, sensitivity, originality and courage, who would that be? Oh, my mistake, I was talking about myself. Sorry about that.
Why, my dear, who else would I choose? :)
10) Lorlie, what are your dreams?
Wow. I must admit that through HubPages I have accomplished at least part of one dream-being a writer. I consider communication to be an art form, and writing has always had an almost heavenly quality to it when done with care. Painting pictures with words is an honorable vocation to me, and I am happy to contribute what I can.
I hope to live an honest and fearless life-quite a leap for an addict, as you well know.
My lies and terrors have held me far too long, and it is time to grow up. And live.
Thank you Lorlie, you are not just a special woman but a very talented Hubber. One I admire and without doubt, also will many once they read this and get to know you better.
Lyrics, it has been my real pleasure to be involved in this interview process. I can't praise HubPages enough for their support when I have been in need of help, and their willingness to go the extra mile for me as a new computer user.
Most of all, though, thank you, Hubbers, for sincerely being there as actual human beings who love to write as much as I do. I love what we do!
Now readers, fan her. :)
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