We recently connected with Chelsea Pegues and have shared our conversation below.
Chelsea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
To be a professional writer has been my dream as long as I can remember. I was never really in love with school, although I do have a passion for learning (to me, they are indeed two different things). In any event, I was raised by two hardworking parents who were very smart- but their financial situation during my formative years made it clear to me that I should focus on a “stable” career that would help set me up for a less stressful future. Although my folks were always supportive, it didn’t really dawn on me that I could chase my dream and still “end up okay.”
I lost my father unexpectedly, two days before Christmas 2020. He died of complications due to alcohol abuse. I was paralyzed by grief; I thought I’d never be functional again. Eventually, grief led to exploration, and wanting to learn more about the science of addiction: how people become dependent, how some recover, methods of harm reduction, etc. In 2021, I started “The Stiicky Eddie Podcast” in my father’s memory. On this show, I was able to interview authors, journalists, doctors, and those in recovery- all with their own stories to tell. I fell even more in in love with writing scripts and learning to be a better interviewer.
This past July 2023, I was on my way home from a run in my neighborhood when I was struck by a vehicle and thrown into a metal pole. I was in the trauma ICU for three days, and had a very long road to recovery- but I’ve made it! I refused to leave my family (my husband and young son) and be kept down. Losing my father so suddenly and then experiencing my own near-fatal accident three years later, I finally decided there was no more time to waste! Why do we wait for “the right moment” to pursue what we want? After all, we are (clearly) on borrowed time. Thus, in late 2023, I made the decision to transition into writing full-time, and I left my office job for good (after seventeen years in the corporate arena).
These experiences have had a profound impact on every aspect of my life. My desire as I move forward is to apply my creativity and skills to projects that make a positive impact in the world.
My written work has lately been featured in Women Who Podcast magazine, and I am honored to be consistently invited to appear on platforms where I speak openly about being the child of a parent suffering with addiction. I am humbled to dedicate my time to freelance writing endeavors, as well as to addiction and recovery education, in an attempt to be a force for change.
I am passionate about the craft of storytelling, whether it’s a well-researched article or a creative work based on imagination. It’s my philosophy that the words we weave together to make our mark on the world will far outlast our physical presence.- therefore, why not make every piece as impactful as possible?
Chelsea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
As a kid, I was always the person my peers used as a “human spellcheck” in the days before Google and smartphones. I loved helping people write their school assignments and complete research tasks. There are at least three books on my nightstand being read simultaneously at all times, and I am that obnoxious friend you love to hate when they correct your grammar!
Until my dad passed, I hadn’t realized how organized he really was. He had left me in a position to finally finish school, and have the foundation (and courage) to throw myself into my passion full-time. It’s strange, and definitely painful, (because I would give anything to have him here instead) but I think he’d be super proud- and relieved -that I’m making my dreams come true.
I specialize in crafting content that sparks interest, informs, and leaves a lasting impression on my client’s intended audience. With my expertise in various writing styles and genres — creative storytelling, technical, professional and blogging, to name a few — I am committed to delivering high-quality content that meets their specific requirements, whether they’re working on non-fiction, a novel, or a children’s book. I offer author support (including research assistance and guidance with journalistic writing, if applicable) and am prepared to apply the necessary stylistic tools to help complete the project.
If a client needs a second pair of eyes on a college admissions essay, corporate correspondence or weekly newsletter, I’m ready to dive into their piece with the proverbial fine-toothed comb and assist with structure, verbiage, spelling and grammar- all while ensuring that the message is clear and appropriate for its intended audience.
I’m certainly proud of completing my first personal essay in which I reflect on my first few days of grief and loss. I am currently shopping this piece to several literary magazines- putting yourself out there is so scary! As I mentioned previously, quite a few of my interviews have been featured in Women Who Podcast Magazine, an online publication which supports female podcasters and entrepreneurs. I never thought that I would be capable of networking and asking for help the way that I do now. I actively seek out other creatives I feel are aligned with my own goals (usually on social platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram) and make sure to connect with them if I can. I’ve forged some amazing relationships this way, and I love the supportive space I find myself in these days. When a client agrees to work with me, I want them to feel wholly supported and understand that NO project is too small. Everything you put out into the world is important and meaningful and should be treated as such.
It means the world to me to help others, just as I’ve been helped these last few years.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Everything in life exists with a counterpart, and creative vs. non-creative work is no different. It is a truly co-dependent experience, when you think about it. I’ve had colleagues in a traditional office setting who were amazingly adept at balancing budgets and running statistics, and others who received great satisfaction from dismantling technological equipment and fixing mechanical issues. I couldn’t function without them, for sure. Yet, when the time came to prepare a written presentation, prepare a speech, or proofread a thesis- I was always called upon. I loved it then and I still appreciate that mutually beneficial experience. Although I am now a full-time creative, I think that non-creatives should note that we take what we do just as seriously. Our work is born of passion for our medium(s), and our goal is to leave the world just slightly better each day- whether it’s through an article, a poem, a painting or a song. If just one person’s experience is improved as a result of our creation, it’s all worth it. And without creatives, non-creatives would have nothing pretty in their office spaces to look at or listen to! In a lot of ways, the journey of a creative is a struggle because of the stigma attached to that very word. Thus, often times it takes much longer to gain a sustainable foothold in our chosen fields and to be recognized by peers. We are working hard! We just work differently.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
In pursuing a creative career path, I feel like I’ve been given my life back. I was always meant to do this, and I try not to dwell on the fact that I didn’t start sooner. For me, writing boosts my confidence, and gives me a reason (maybe I should say MORE of a reason) to ask questions and do research on the topics I find most interesting. At the risk of sounding sappy, writing feeds my soul and is truly a gift. I feel like language is a gorgeous palette of colors I’ve been given to play with.
I can also dedicate my time differently, and accommodate my role as a mother with less guilt than I had working in a non-creative role. At the end of the day, I am flexing muscles and using skills I hadn’t applied in awhile, and producing work that I feel leaves a piece of me in the world. Hopefully, the projects I collaborate with clients on make them feel just as good about themselves. And those elements combined are what make this career choice the ultimate reward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chelseaelizabethwrites.com/
- Instagram: @chelseaelizabethwrites
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-pegues-7b63ab211/
Image Credits
Natalia Baquero (Outdoor shot of me leaning over stone wall and looking away)