Writing Dream – Real or Mirage

Passion drives my writing or writing releases my passion. There are those days when I can not be sure which came first (although most days I believe it was the chicken). Opportunities have come up and I have followed through but I am not where I think I need to be with my writing. It makes me wonder some days if my talent, skills and passion are strong enough to make a career as a writer or if a freelance writing career is only a mirage.

Am I alone?

I went the full gamut this weekend. The high started with an opportunity to do a news article on a local political event. I was getting the chance to be a real journalist – not that I ever wanted to be a journalist. But the thought seemed to make a freelance writing career seem more real.

The realization of the looming, end of the month, along with the minute balance in the paycheck threw me down into a pit of concern. Am I really doing what I need to be doing?

A comment from a new IM friend sent me soaring back up to the top of the mountain. “You are good girl.” It never ceases to amaze me how the uplifting words on one person can reinflate an entire being.

Goals to Pursue My Freelance Writing Career

1. Send in one magazine query or manuscript ever week day. That’s five a week. If only 25% of the manuscripts sale then I will be back up to a living wage once again.

2. Create a brochure of speaking subjects and teaching subjects to send out to every club, church, library and civic organization within a 50 mile radius. There is no chance of speaking or teaching if people do not know that I speak and teach.

3. Pray, pray and then spend some time in prayer. My relationship with my Savior is the fundamental source for all that I do. I have to spend time talking and listening if I am to clearly discern His purpose and plan.

4. Finish editing my novel before the end of September.

5. Develop a book proposal for my non-fiction book. The idea is finished and the skeleton of the book is complete. I just need to create a proposal (and yes, I know I went about this backwards – it is a long story).

6. Commit to NaNo this year. Hold my feet to the fire when you see me or talk to me. I will complete my first YA novel by the end of October!

7. Redesign old blogs and begin to fill them regularly with content. Setting aside two hours a day or one day a week should give me plenty of time to create content.

I love the opportunities I have through my ghost writing. Subjects that I would never have considered are now almost second nature to me because of the time and research I have devoted to them. But I have a voice and it is time for me to speak with that voice and allow that voice to carry me to the freelance writing career that I see in the distance. It is not a mirage and I will get there.