BE YOURSELF By Sue Van Der Hout
Ally McBeal, L.A. Law, Perry Mason all play with the siren sound of law’s seduction. Never secretly want to live the roller coaster of a lawyer? Okay bucko. Then see if you can abide by the cardinal rule of a good cross examination: STOP. Can’t do it, right? Why? The University of Notre Dame captures the essence of the draw: "The law offers many attractions: prestige, power, a professional lifestyle, a range of salaries from decent to excessive, and a chance, perhaps, to "change the world," if not on a large scale, at least on a small, local or individual scale."
Some people fall into law because of the ambitions of others: parents; the herd; friends. The fortunate few come to the realization that their passion train is taking them elsewhere and pull the zip-cord. Lisa Summers trained as a lawyer but is now pursuing her dream – writing and acting. Initially her parents were horrified, but they got over it. She´s thriving.
Care to share your bumpy ride from been there, tried that, to I’m living my authentic life?
It was a long journey. I never had the sense that law was my "home". My first love in law was international human rights, but it was tough to get articles in that area, so I specialized in immigration. I floated. In 2002, I worked on a contract project but when it was over, it was hard to find legal work. I moved to Ottawa trusting that I’d find something. I did, with government. Unfortunately, that ended on a bad note. I found myself back living with my parents in Mississauga. It was fight or flight. I moved to New Zealand in 2004 to train as a teacher.
| I never had the sense that law was my "home". I found myself back living with my parents in Mississauga. It was fight or flight. I chose flight and moved to New Zealand in 2004 to train as a teacher. |
Did going abroad help clarity your vision? Yes, but not in the way I expected. New Zealand wasn´t what it all I thought it would be. I was thinking bucolic countryside and Lord of the rings. Not. While it´s a biracial country, and in fact I´m biracial, it struck me as racist and that depressed me. There are deep tensions between white New Zealanders and the Black Maoris.
So was teaching your calling?
Actually, I moved home to write a novel based on that experience. While working on my novel, I joined a startup magazine the editor. We got national distribution and good advertisers but eventually the magazine folded. It was a great experience. I managed editorial staff, I was creative, I had fun and I learned that I could write well.
| While working on my novel, I joined a startup magazine the editor. ……… I was creative, I had fun and I learned that I could write well. |
When did you have a Eureka moment?
I´m the happiest I´ve ever been. I wrote my book and to get it out there decided to self publish. It’s called Men are Like Lattes and it’s having a great run. I´m now married to a military pilot. We moved to Orangeville to be near his base. To cover expenses and pay my publicist, I work with a local firm doing general law. That means a taste of everything. Strangely enough, it was one of the easiest transitions to make.
| To cover expenses and pay my publicist, I work with a local firm doing general law. That means a taste of everything. Strangely enough, it was one of the easiest transitions to make. |
Your goal?
My goal is to be writing full time and to do a screen-play. I love to write.
06.11.2007
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