Scott Lee - Gen4

I'm very happy to be entering the fray of this incredible community of creative writers. I've finally freed the chains of my professional career that - for many years - tied up my hope of bringing to life the many stories I've lived that go a long way to explain the place this world of ours finds itself at today.
I spent my professional career as a strategist, adviser and program manager to many public, private and not-for-profit organizations. One of my greatest gifts that kept me very active over the years was my ability to research, capture, package and create highly focused and compelling content. Whether tasked with producing long-range strategic plans, creating unique market-facing messaging or delivering a presentation at professional events, my creative juices went into high gear.
Growing up the fifth of six children in a rural, blue collar farm region of Upstate NY, I didn't envision a future that would land me in college. Like most others who grew up in that setting, you would have your eye on working the farms, getting a job at a local factory or enlisting in the military after high school. I was blessed when a college placed its bet on me making it possible for me to break the mold. It was in the Fall of 1977 when I entered college that I learned that I had some catching up to do when it came to my writing and reading skills. So I made the bold move to take on a Minor in Communications on top of my Business & Engineering degree. A program that changed my life, providing me all of the development and support to bring forward my gift for writing.
Fast forward ... I was at a retreat this past Fall as I took my first steps to gain insight into how to best begin my journey to pivot to creative writing. I was very fortunate to join a program for wannabe writers being held that week by a well-regarded writer and journalist from San Francisco - Laura Hilgers. After a number of class exercises, Laura reinforced my strength as a writer but also affirmed that I had no lack of interesting stories - both personally and professionally - that would gain great interest in the markets. She advised me to focus on personal essays and opinion pieces in the early going, aware that I've been framing an initial book that speaks to a divided country that has to find a pathway to peace and respect for one another or reach the point of no return.
Although I'm just now kicking off my writing efforts in earnest, I look very forward to working with a number of you over the months and years ahead as I get on with my next chapter.