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Abstract

he lean years waitressing in NYC, taking dance classes and singing lessons, going on the road with second-string productions, and doing the obligatory stint on a cruise ship.</p><p id="8533">If I all I could be was an actor, it’s all I would have wanted to do, but because I can write, I didn’t have to. That proved to be an advantage. I may have missed out on fame and fortune, but I get to sleep in my own bed.</p><p id="c37c">Actors have to go where the work is, but by choosing to write, I could work anywhere. I have a stable relationship and was able to be home for my kid. That’s not always possible with a professional acting career.</p><figure id="b347"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*Fu2ainblh9rKCOMkXPKS3g.jpeg"><figcaption>Robert Issen and Denise Shelton in a promotional photo for “Love Letters” (photo by Laurel Issen)</figcaption></figure><p id="d680">The paid gig was on an award-winning interactive children’s TV show in Columbus, Ohio. I beat out 74 other actors for the role. I was on it for a year.</p><p id="b74d">I’ve also appeared in community theater productions and served on the board of a musical theater company.</p><p id="47d6">Earlier this year, I was in rehearsals for a play that shut down in March due to what my castmate Shaun calls, “The Big Dumb Thing.”</p><p id="4825">I haven’t entirely given up my dream of acting stardom. Who knows? Maybe I’ll write myself a terrific role in a play that makes it to Broadway. I’m keeping my options open.</p><p id="657

Options

d">©2020, Denise Shelton. All rights reserved.</p><div id="ddf5" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/so-you-want-to-write-for-pomposity-good-luck-14c077c7d478"> <div> <div> <h2>So You Want to Write for Pomposity? Good Luck!</h2> <div><h3>If submission guidelines told the truth</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*Nzs70JnuG9xI528EIbH_pA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="b27b" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-comment-and-respond-to-comments-on-medium-58d919572400"> <div> <div> <h2>How to Comment and Respond to Comments on Medium</h2> <div><h3>And when saying nothing is your best option</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*YDkn1IxcXgDde59m0fLrIg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="eb8f">If you liked this, please visit my <a href="http://denisesheltonwrites.com/">website</a>. You can sign up for my monthly newsletter <a href="https://deniseshelton.substack.com/">here</a>. Thanks for reading!</p></article></body>

Writing

If I Wasn’t a Writer…

I’d be acting on stage

This is in response to Sherry McGuinn’s prompt from her story “If I Wasn’t a Writer…”

If I wasn’t a writer, I’d be acting. On stage, most likely, since I was never the kind of pretty that makes its way onto the big screen. (At least I never had to worry about Harvey Weinstein.) I might have even made it to Broadway by now. Yeah, I’m that good. Leads in school plays, local awards, glowing reviews, a paid gig, I had ’em all.

Denise Shelton (center, uppermost position ) in rehearsal for a high school production of “Who Are We This Time?” (photo by Steve Raleigh)

But, because I can write, I had a creative outlet that allowed me to forego the lean years waitressing in NYC, taking dance classes and singing lessons, going on the road with second-string productions, and doing the obligatory stint on a cruise ship.

If I all I could be was an actor, it’s all I would have wanted to do, but because I can write, I didn’t have to. That proved to be an advantage. I may have missed out on fame and fortune, but I get to sleep in my own bed.

Actors have to go where the work is, but by choosing to write, I could work anywhere. I have a stable relationship and was able to be home for my kid. That’s not always possible with a professional acting career.

Robert Issen and Denise Shelton in a promotional photo for “Love Letters” (photo by Laurel Issen)

The paid gig was on an award-winning interactive children’s TV show in Columbus, Ohio. I beat out 74 other actors for the role. I was on it for a year.

I’ve also appeared in community theater productions and served on the board of a musical theater company.

Earlier this year, I was in rehearsals for a play that shut down in March due to what my castmate Shaun calls, “The Big Dumb Thing.”

I haven’t entirely given up my dream of acting stardom. Who knows? Maybe I’ll write myself a terrific role in a play that makes it to Broadway. I’m keeping my options open.

So You Want to Write for Pomposity? Good Luck!

If submission guidelines told the truth

medium.com

How to Comment and Respond to Comments on Medium

And when saying nothing is your best option

medium.com

If you liked this, please visit my website. You can sign up for my monthly newsletter here. Thanks for reading!