June 9, 2008
Baby Steps
Now that I’ve put my dream of writing in writing, it’s time to get to work.
In the short time since my dream became ‘public’, I have been offered the opportunity to write an interview-based article for a small Christian newspaper. Not ever having made the transition from interview to article, I think it will be an appropriate challenge to see if I have what it takes to make that leap from project idea to published journalist.
A friend commented about a blog of mine that lead me to an idea for an additional article, so I’m already making notes for an outline. Since the subject matter revolves around recent events in my own life, I think it will make an interesting essay. I hope someone else feels the same, preferably someone with the word ‘publisher’ or ‘editor’ somewhere in their job description!
I rarely do things ‘by the book’, rather, tend to rush off willy-nilly, but I realize that if I ever want to be published, I need to educate myself first. I’ve been researching online and my favorite tool thus far has been Absolute Write, a gathering place for writers of every genre, at all levels of experience. This fast paced forum is chock full of knowledgeable and extremely helpful journalists, and after perusing the discussions just a few days, I already have dozens of other websites and books added to my list of ‘must haves’ for my virtual and physical reference libraries.
As I add to those lists and put them in some semblance of order, that will be the topic of another post here.
June 7, 2008
What I Want to Be When I Grow Up
Here it is, in print. I’m telling the world in a journal that I want to be a journalist. How appropriate.
There. I did it. I feel better.
I’ve done a lot of things in my life – As a retired Marine MSgt having served more than 21 years, I’ve traveled the world and have seen myriad wonderful sights, and have lived through some not so wonderful experiences as well.
I’ve held many titles including manager of a dry cleaning company with 6 stores, administrative assistant, receptionist, proofreader and editor for the nation’s largest radio research firm, assistant working with special needs children on the school bus. Toss in wife, mother, gardener, overseer of our small hobby farm with 6 horses – well, I consider myself a fairly well-rounded individual.
Is it enough? Is it ever?
I want to write. I want to be published. I want to be paid for what I know I can do.
I’m just now reading the road maps for my new journey, and deciding on what paths will help bring this new dream to fruition. Will I make it? Will there be forks in the road that could lead me elsewhere?
Stick around and read my story, as it is being written.
Marie Anne's Missives 