Pause. Do you see it? Can you tell why I posted these? Have you actually tried to look? Don't just start reading. Play my game. Please. Ok, you might need super strong reading glasses.
Here's my dream for the next year or two. I don't really want to go back to work just because both kids will be in school all day next year. It's not about laziness, but availability. There's no chance of getting a real teaching job around here. Even if I could, I don't want one. I am not capable of being an excellent teacher and parenting. I don't have that kind of energy. And I don't want to be anything less than an excellent teacher. I don't have any other job skills that would land a great part time job, like nursing or pharmacy. There are jobs out there I could get, but I want to be able to stay home if someone if sick, to help in the school, to have the emotional energy to help my kids and to guide them through each trial life throws. And I couldn't think of an job with such flexibility. But I do have a lot of skills and I like to be challenged, to learn new things, to interact with people.
So a year and half ago, I started a blog. I wanted to practice writing. It turned into this therapeutic outlet. But it was practice. And if somehow I could break into the world of freelance writing, I could work from home. I could have flexibility. So above you see Plan A for the future. Check the byline. This article marks the first time I have actually been paid to write. Yippee! Though I must say that when I read the article in print, I thought, " Ouch. I'm rusty." I haven't been practicing journalism---blogging is a totally different style. But I was assigned a second article and received an email saying in essence, "You did a nice job." And the second one was better. And I got paid again. And the editor sent me to a "photo shoot" to get my picture taken and she asked for a short bio. I think I am in (with 1 magazine anyway). What other markets can I break into? I wanted to tell you sooner, but this is scary for me. It carries the possibility of failure, and I don't really want to share that with you. But I will, because I've discovered awesome accountability in my faithful friends who read this blog. And as I've prayed, I've felt God's leading, his nod of approval, his peace. So I know that even if my attempts fail, there will be valuable lessons to help me grow in faith.
And now I have one more question, again risky, because what if there is no response? I can't turn anything I have written on this blog straight into an article, but I can change them. There are magazines out there for almost all topics. So, is there anything I have written here that you remember? That you think might be worth sharing with people who don't know me?
8 comments:
Okay, without much thought...I really think that you should write about living in the city. You have an interesting take because you are not involved in the whole "white flight" thing that seems to be happening in our city. I also like to read about your thoughts, but I'm not exactly sure about how all of that could fit into a magazine. There are many people who write about these topics. What about the monthly paper for the Saginaw News that is always asking for ideas to write about?...you are a writer...you have ideas...you could definitely do writing pieces for that. You are also totally experiencing life with allergies and many families are going through that and some are just starting out. You have a good amount of knowledge in that area also. What about company brochures? By the way, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will continue to think about it.
I was excited to see the magazine pictures. I knew instantly where you were going with this post. However, I must say, I tried to enlarge the picture so I could see your same someplace but was unable to. I must get a copy of the magazine for myself. Where can I find one?
Chris gave you some great ideas.
I'm so happy and proud of you! Way to go!!!!
Huge congratulations! How exciting! I also tried to enlarge the pictures to see your name in print. :)
My first thought when you asked for topics to write about and outlets for your writing was: food and parenting. I think you could fill a great niche as a parent dealing with allergies and food limitations, especially since those issues are on the rise.
I'm ignorant on the topic, but are there worthwhile Christian publications out there? I assume there must be, and you could be a wonderful writer for such publications. Your faith really shines through in your blog posts.
Why don't you just edit these blogs into a small book?
You are so good at electronic things, photo scrapbooks, posting pictures, using Snapfish abd etc. So write articles about how to do this for those who don't know. Instead of Hints from Heloise, make "Hints from Laura" or "Hints From Stay At Home Mom"
Elliot
This is so funny b/c I bought this on monday! B/c you wrote it! I thought that was awesome and I was going to toot a horn for you if you did not!!! You go girl!
is futush that dish I had with you. or no?
Congratulations! This is so exciting! To be able to work from home, at something that you are good at, and that you love - wow!
My first thought regarding topic was parenting. I especially like when you write about the topics that some people don't like to write about (like your "Heartaches post on 10/9/08) but that touch their heart.
I also like Chris's idea of getting involved in the city.
The Saginaw Times Newspaper is looking for writers - I just saw the ad in their classifieds.
SOMEHOW I missed this posting and i feel like an idiot! I thing it is awesome that you are published! Tracey and I were talking about you this morning and she said, "Didn't you see it on her blog?" Apparently I didn't scroll down far enough the last time I checked your blog. Congrats, you are a great writer, maybe Amanda would let me borrow her magazine. :)
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