It's My Path

It's happening.

Friends and fellow writers are doing it. They're accepting offers of representation, working with agents, selling their books and seeing their titles in print, held in hand. It's an awesome thing to see, to be an infinitesimal part of.

With each friend's success, I feel that much closer to my own. And yet I also feel further and further away.

Do I have what it takes, I ask? Maybe I don't write well enough, maybe my words aren't going to grab the attention of who matters most, maybe I don't represent myself in the best way possible, maybe...

If only...

Often times I see a writer who's a step - or several - ahead and I think, why isn't that me? What am I doing wrong? I think, they're doing something I'm not. And I may fall into a pity pit for a bit, feeling morose and doubtful and envious.

But then I'm reminded: I'm me. I am on my own path. Not wrong, different.

Mine.

I have to step back, look at what's best for me without comparing my steps to others', and let my path unfold before me.

As I keep this in mind, I will step sure-footed, with confidence and faith.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Trained or Self-Taught?

So one who wants to be a writer can seek a formal education. There are, after all, degrees in creative writing, journalism, the whole gamut.

Or, one could be self-taught.

Though I have a couple years of community college under my belt, I never earned a degree. And even if I had, it would have been in Occupational Therapy or psychology - nothing writing-related. So I've gotten where I am (wherever that may be) by teaching myself.

I've always been incredibly detail-oriented. I've had a knack for grammar and spelling. I've paid close attention to how others write, their voices, formats, markets, what works, what trends call for or reject, etc., and, as a result, I've honed my writing over the course of several years. I have to say the self-taught route has worked just fine for me so far.

Was your knowledge gained through higher-education or osmosis? A little of both?

While there are certain benefits to specialized courses (and I'm not against them), are they necessary to be a success?

Tell me what you think.

February: Here I Come!

I feel decent about what I accomplished in January. Though our family's sickliness kept me offline for much of two weeks, I was able to get quite a bit done. I checked into three freelance jobs, securing one. (Check out my articles at Type-A Mom.) Submitted 9 articles: 3 rejections, 3 published, and 3 I haven't heard on yet. I also brainstormed on my next column (due come spring) and saw the publication of installment #2. Woo hoo!

This week comes to a close just as a new month begins. I have a lot to look forward to in February with my writing (certainly not anything pertaining to Valentine's Day, my husband will likely ensure...) , and I'm excited to begin! I have some carryover goals from last month, but new ones I'm excited to pursue, as well. In the coming weeks I hope to:

*Submit proposal to another local paper about new column
*Submit entry for the Erma Bombeck writing competition (we have until the 17th!)
*Submit/query articles to mags as I'm able
*Publish several articles online with Type-A Mom
*Add to novel word count (this is my biggest individual goal for the month)
*Blog on both Something She Wrote and A Believer's Blog more regularly

Here's to a successful month for all of us!

On The Road (to writing) Again

The last few days have been spent stressed and worried about issues at home. Today's a little less hectic and I'm getting back into the groove. I've been searching freelance jobs online and have, along with one last week, submitted two e-mail applications for paid blogging and/or freelance positions. I wait for responses ever-so-patiently.

Still working on my own articles; one is ready to send via snail mail, as soon as my replacement ink cartridge gets here, and another is halfway done, market selected (if I can get their page to come up without error, as it has for a few days now).

I've figured out my plan of action for my next column, as well as gotten official word that this month's is coming out next week. I can't wait to see it! Also thinking about my proposal for a second, unrelated column, which I hope to submit to the appropriate people in the next week.

Haven't looked at the Work In Progress (WIP) for about a week... but still have, what?, two-ish/three weeks in the month? Still time for that.

Whew! I'm digging this. I love throwing myself into the thick of it, trying to get set up with as much work (and success) as possible!