Days 74 & 75 of the 111 Day Writer’s Journey

DAYS 74 & 75: A Writing Career

I’m a Writer?

When people ask me what I do for a living, I have two answers:
•    I am currently utilizing the temporary staffing format for expansion of my skill sets
•    I am a writer

The latter answer yields a significant amount of questions and sincere interest in learning more. “What do you write? Do you write articles? What have you written? Are you published? Where can I read your work? Can I buy your book?”

“I write fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. I’ve written articles for a local publication. I’ve completed a two-act play and a YA novel, which have yet to be published. Check out my blog to read selections of my work. You can buy my book once it’s published!”

I’ve found that others relate to my writing when I’m forthright about my struggles (personally or professionally). I doubt that I am the only one who’s dealt with issues of self-esteem, belief in one’s talents, or battle between the comfort of dependence and an independent spirit. I share my work in the hope that doing so helps someone else who may be going through similar struggles.

Writer’s Time Out

If you’d asked me what I was “going to be” when I got older, writer would not have been high on that list. The desired role of singer left no room for any other possible career goals. When I finally realized that not only did I love to write but others loved what I wrote, I didn’t know how to turn that realization into a career.

I’ve floundered ever since, weaving in and out of careers while I kept writing on my “free” time. It was somehow safer not to pursue a profession in writing, because I didn’t know how to deal with the possibility that I wasn’t as talented as I thought. That I didn’t have the experience. That {insert dream-crushing comment here}. I journaled and blogged about my dreams, my goals, my hopes for a career in the arts but didn’t believe in myself enough to take action steps.

Having confidence and believing in myself is necessary to keep moving towards a writing career. I don’t know what lies ahead. I’ve spent plenty of time looking back and dreaming of the future. It’s time to live in the present. And right now, I’m focusing on writing – the gift that continues to give back tenfold!