Doing What I Love

Almost two years ago I set out (again) to be a writer.  With three of four children in school either full or part time, I was more determined and enthusiastic than ever to immerse myself in the career and life I felt most comfortable in.  

So...first I needed goals.  They were (in their most rudimentary form) as follows:

Writing goals:  

(1) Get freelance writing website up and running again
(2) Re-establish my writing business - line up some work

(3) Blog regularly

(4) Edit my book

(5) Publish my book (four and five were long term, but still important goals).

(6) Write, write, write

What really happened?

Well, I did start that website, but instead of writing, somehow my life and career took an unexpected turn.  If someone would have told me two years ago that I would immerse myself in a career in sales, I'd never have believed it.  Really.  Never.  But that's exactly what happened.  About two weeks into setting up my website, I received an email from a family friend asking me if I'd be interested in working as a sales manager for their rapidly growing company, AcousticSheep, LLC.

I was a little torn at first because I knew I wouldn't be able to pursue those writing goals as I had planned, but the product was so awesome and the owners so inspirational, that I couldn't turn it down.  Our CEO, Dr. Wei-Shin Lai, invented SleepPhones in 2007 to solve her own need for comfortable headphones to help her get back to sleep after late-night emergency calls.  See the SleepPhones Story here.

The position was only part time, but I knew I couldn't juggle the demands of a part-time job, being a full time mom, and still be able to funnel the time and energy I would need to reestablish myself in the writing world.  Yet I took the job, and I have never for one moment regretted it.

Over the last 18 months, I've had the pleasure of learning and growing in so many more ways than I ever would have imagined I could - especially in such a short period of time.  It's taken me out of my comfort zone because, let's just be honest here, I didn't know the first thing about sales.  I knew nothing about margins, distribution, price points, Incoterms and so on.  

And I love it!!!  I'm so blessed to be able to work with great people, both within my company as well as those from all over the country and world!  I get to sell a product that's absolutely amazing (and changing lives every day, I might add).  One of the coolest things?  I'm writing every single day - just not quite in the way I was expecting. 

My goals?  Well, they still exist.  I pick up writing when I can - as time and desire allows for it.  Crazy enough, I still get article requests from some of my favorite clients, and I write for them.  And I'm reminded that no matter what path my life takes me on, I am doing what I love and loving what I do.  I'm still a writer - every single day.  I am thankful!       

Why "Blog Surfing" Makes Me a Better Writer

Since returning to the world of blogging and freelance writing, I have been taking the time to visit and catch up with some of my favorite blogs. I have even added and visited several great new ones. I used to think that "blog surfing" was leisure activity and that this was nonproductive to my writing career. I have decided that was the wrong sort of thinking. Here are a few reasons why:

(1) Reading other writing blogs helps you learn more about your trade. Just visit Matt Keegan's The Article Writer, or Lillie Ammann's A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye, and you will find out just how much you stand to learn from reading the blogs of other professionals. They have spent hours upon hours creating posts that will help you find success in the freelancing community. These people, and many others just like them, care about what they do and they care about your success.

(2) Reading other blogs exposes great resources-- whether its a potential job or a website to increase exposure. Michele Tune of Writing the Cyber Highway recently invited me to join ChicksWhoClick, a private network for women in media, creative arts and girls' & women's advocacy. What a great resource for meeting fellow writers and finding (as well as sharing) information to make the writing journey a little easier for others.

(3) It's a fantastic way to meet awesome and amazing people. I cannot tell you how many inspirational stories I have read on other people's blogs. Stories of overcoming abuse, beating cancer, raising children with disabilities, and fighting online internet pedophilia touch my heart and remind me that bloggers are real people who care about real life issues. What an honor to be acquainted with such people.

(4) Reading these same blogs inspires me to write more, and most importantly, to be a better woman. I read what others have gone through. I see what causes they stand for and support, and all the good they are doing in the world. Reading these blogs inspires me to use my writing gift to do the same. I want to write more, get involved in community causes, and grow as a woman and a human being.

Yes, I have decided that taking the time to visit other blogs can only enhance my writing career, and encourage the kind of growth as a human being that will make me a better writer. So don't feel guilty. There's something to learn from everybody. Take the time to visit some great blogs, and get connected with some wonderful people--I guarantee that remarkable things will come of it!

What's so Great About Essays?

I love blogging! It's such a treat to sit down and write whatever I feel like without having to adhere to specific writing rules. I can write about one thing in one style today, and write about something completely different in a totally unique style the next. There is a freedom in it that is much like writing an essay--another form of writing that I've always enjoyed.

For me, writing essays has always been more fun than work. In fact, in high school and college, while many people were griping about essay tests, I was giddy inside with excitement. I knew I had a much better chance at scoring more points with an essay than I could by testing other ways. It almost always meant an A. Send that essay test my way!

Besides the opportunity to excel academically as a student, I enjoy essay writing for other reasons. For me, essays are a fun way to express my own opinion. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not always outwardly opinionated and I don't get all worked up if someone has a different opinion than me, but sometimes it's just nice to express what I think. Nobody thinks exactly as I do and that's a beautiful thing. Essays are an expression of individuality.

I also really love how much I learn when I write an essay. I learn about the world around me, but I also learn more about who I am, what I love, and how I think and feel about important things. Sometimes it's learning about specific topics, and sometimes it's about things like love, equality, and being the best person I can be, but always it's about learning.

Another thing that's really neat about essays is how you can take any topic and make it interesting--I think that's the human element in this sort of writing. Take foot fungus for instance. It isn't exactly a topic of great interest to most people, but once it's connected to another human being in an interesting way, then it's fun to read. "How my high school friend started a foot fungus epidemic," might be pretty funny! You can easily incorporate foot fungus facts into a story like that, and keep your reader's attention.

Whether it's personal experience or human emotion that makes an essay interesting, it's about feeling connected. I like feeling connected with people, and I like the idea that someone is feeling connected to me because of something that I've written. So if you haven't already, try getting connected and write an essay to share with the world!

Am I Talking to You (Meme)

As my first time as a meme participant I'd like to thank Carson Brackney of Content Done Better for tagging me! This meme is a more in-depth look at what my purpose is for my blog, who my intended blog audience is, and whether or not I am reaching them. The meme begins with two questions:

(1) To whom are you blogging?
(2) Am I talking to you?

First, to whom am I blogging? I first began blogging in 2005 as a way to share a little bit of my personal life with family, friends, and anyone who was interested in reading what I had to say. For me, it was a way to utilize my writing skills until my baby was old enough to allow me to share my time with others.

Last November, I decided the time had come for me to begin working toward a career in freelance writing--a lifetime dream and goal of mine. I created my website, www.onlinefreelancewriter.com, in an attempt to sell my services. I began learning everything I could to circulate my name on the internet with the hope of bringing some business my way.

I joined writer's forums, and began reading lots of great blogs. Content Done Better was actually the first one I came to, and is where I have learned a lot of useful information. In February, I decided to give my blog a makeover. This brings me to question one. I created Getting it Write for You for writers and prospective clients.

My desire is to encourage, teach and inspire writers of all genres. Really, it's my way of giving back to the freelancing community. I have to say that everyone I have contacted in request of link exchange or advice has been unbelievably helpful to me. Thank you for that. I can also see by watching my site statistics that you have been visiting my blog faithfully.

Of course, my other motivation is the hope that I may drive some potential clients my way. A client interested in my services may visit my website, but might like to see a different sampling of my writing. Or perhaps they will visit my blog first and then follow the link to my site. Either way is great.

I really hope for this blog to serve as a humble example of my expertise and knowledge. I want it to suit both your needs as well as my own. This brings me to part two of this meme. Am I talking to you? Let me thank you right now, if you are one who has ever left me any feedback. It's great fun to get it, and it lets me know that someone has found some value in what I have written about.

My writing blog is fairly new so I think it is an opportune time to ask you a few questions that I hope you will feel free to answer honestly.

* What do you like about this blog?
* What do you dislike about this blog?
* What would you like to see here in the future?
* Do you have a favorite post (and why)?
* What can I do to keep you coming back?

I'm tagging:

* Betsy Henning because she is an amazing writer who has valuable things to say, and has kept me encouraged as a writer.
* Leigh Zaykoski of Wealth of Words and Kathy Kehrli of Screw You! because they have both been so encouraging and helpful to me as a newbie in the freelancing world.

I look up to all of you so much. Thank you!