Nov 01 2008
Hello, Sandy.
I have a friend named Sandy who is in the beginning stages of a writing career. She’s made the decision to become a writer, and armed with her laptop she’s getting busy with writing blogs and applying for jobs.
By the way, you can read her blog here.
I’ve had a few friends who have told me that they wanted to start writing careers and I’ve tried to help them along, but so far Sandy has been the only one who has the same ambition that reminds me of when I first started writing. Once I got the thought into my head that I was going to be a writer, that was it…I was going to become a writer and that was that. I have the feeling that Sandy feels the same way about her potential as a professional writer. I’m excited to see what she winds up doing.
So Sandy, if you’re reading this - and you should be - then keep these things in mind while starting your writing career:
- Don’t take rejection personally. If you do, you’ll wind up in a fetal position, calling me to bake you some brownies. You’re going to get rejected a lot when you apply for writing jobs in the beginning, so learn to accept it and move on.
- Don’t stop learning. Whenever I’m offered a job that will take a lot of research or requires the use of software I’m not totally familiar with I use it as an opportunity to broaden my horizons.
- Don’t sell out. Once in a while I’ve written some stuff that I’m not too terribly passionate about, but I have turned down writing jobs that would pay a bundle but go against my own principals…like the time an editor asked me to write some stuff that was d-i-r-t-y.
- Don’t obsess. There are times when I have to force myself off the computer in order to go to sleep at night. I just get so wrapped up in the work that sometimes I start to tell myself that it’s okay to skimp on sleep or skip the gym. Writing is great, but it shouldn’t be your whole life.
I’m not saying that I have the secret formula for a perfect writing career, but hey, it’s worked for me so far. Good luck, Sandy. Fair thee well.
5 Responses to “Hello, Sandy.”
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There are only two reasons that people decide they want to become writers: (1) Because they erroneously believe it will make they rich and famous, or (2) They are insane. I fall into the second category, of course. Sounds like your friend might be insane as well. And perhaps you too. But that’s okay, because insane people make the most interesting friends. By the way, I think you have really good taste in blog theme templates
I’m not rich or famous, but I am certainly insane.
I can’t decide which is better…getting compared to a pan of gooey brownies or having a haiku written to me. Thanks, Sandy!