Well, one aspect of my start as a writer is taking off ... slowly. I am what you can call a Contributing Editor for an online entertainment news website. I just started this week. This website published one of my blog entries that I sent to them as a writing sample back in February. The Editor-in-Chief loved it, and so he's offered me a spot as a writer for their online website.
I am STOKED. I get to write and do research that I love. My first piece is an editorial on a local musician, and researching her music was very enjoyable. At first, I was intimidated by the deadline and their expectations. But, once I got through some research and began to form my opinion, the words flowed right through my fingers and on to the Pages screen. It feels good.
I am not a journalist. That was my first thought as I processed the weight of my first assignment. I am not a journalist. I don't like doing interviews and digging around for dirt to splash into an article. But, it wasn't like that. Once I sat down and really thought about my contribution in doing this piece, I felt confident in letting my opinion be known.
So, yesterday morning, I checked my email and found one from my editor's assistant. She gave me the basic guidelines for the article and when they'd like to see my first draft. They gave me until Sunday evening. I thought that should be enough time, so I go about my day doing what I needed to. It was a little before lunch when I sit down at my laptop and start researching. And, after watching a few music videos, reading some of her interviews and learning more about her, I take a picture of my screen and send it to Stetson Man with the caption "I got this far." I started the article and got a few paragraphs done. He read it and said it looks good so far. Yeah. I can already tell that he's going to be my biggest cheerleader.
It was the bare bones to the start of the editorial, so I was getting hungry and figured I needed a little time to process my research. Then, I can begin forming my opinion.
I go out and get a yummy steak plate for lunch, and by the time I had finished that, it was time to pick up B from school. So, I go and find her at the playground with one of her classmates. His mother is sitting nearby, so I go over and chat with her while our kids run around and play. After that, one of her best friends invited her over for a playdate, so I drop her off, and return home.
Now, I'm feeling the writing coming on, so I put my headphones on and put on her music. As I listen, the article kind of blooms before my eyes and I finish it within a few short hours. Proud of it, I text SM later that night and tell him that I'll send him the draft because I want to know what he thinks. Being that I am a writer and this is my passion, it matters to me what he thinks. It matters to me that he supports my work. Though, it's not work to me, and I love that. My goal one day is to be able to support myself and my family as a successful writer, and it's important to me that he gets that and stands by me while I make my dream come true.
After proofing my draft a few times, I decide it's ready to go, so I sent him the first copy. And, then a copy went to my editor's assistant. Feeling a bit nervous, I text him and tell him that. I just hope it's what they're looking for, and he reassures me that they're gonna love it. He was making dinner at the time, so when he was done, he read it. He texts me saying he thought it was really good. That's more of a positive reaction than I could have asked for.
So, now I'm waiting to hear back from my editor or his assistant. I'm really hoping it's not going to need too much tweaking, and that it's what they can use. It's exciting, and I didn't even have to leave the house. That's what I like about it ... being able to work at home on my own schedule. It's slow at first, but I'm hopeful that this will take my career as a writer in the right direction.
Until the next post ... xoxo
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