Keep Plugging Away

Writing is one of those hobbies or career choices that falls into the "Marathon" column. "Wut?" you may ask. Well, please let me explain. There is definite pressure to produce. As soon as you leak the words, "I'm a writer" people want proof. Where have you been published? Where can I read your work? The questions flood in and some people quit right here because they don't have answers.

As a people pleaser, my heart used to flutter with anxiety in response to these questions. But I kept plugging away in private. I humbled myself and took crap writing assignments. In college, I was a married mom competing against young, cocky, brilliant writers with no preconceived notions or boundaries. Think that wasn't intimidating? You betcha.

Again, I kept plugging away. My first real assignment was for the college newspaper, The Gull's Cry. I was just a mere contributor, but I took each assignment seriously. Eventually, I worked up my courage and became a freelance journalist for a nearby online newspaper, The Chipley Bugle. I followed their leads and hunted down and produced my own stories. What a fun Saturday job! (Check them out here: Chipley Bugle – The Little Paper with the BIG TOOT)

The owner was a former editor of a local newspaper and he approved of my writing! That was such a thrill for me. The first and ONLY pat on the back I needed. He, his daughter, and son-in-law all believed in me so much they even gave me a computer to write with at home. Crazy cool. I was legit. I just took off flying from there.

Just remember it may take days, weeks, or years to become published but the adrenaline rush from writing your first bio, receiving your first dollar (mine is framed), or seeing your name in print is worth the wait. Don't quit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!