Hello Folks | Introduce Yourself | Writing Forum

Hello Folks,

Long time visitor/reader, first time poster from The Great White North (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada).
I'm looking forward to learning all I can from everyone here while forging friendships along the way. 

I've always wanted to write professionally but never knew where to start. I'm officially out on 'that ledge' and trying not to look down as I begin the journey of what I hope will be a long, fun and very satisfying career as a professional writer.

My only question at this time is this:
How in the world do you convince the people around you that this is what I want to do and need to do in order to be myself?I'm a natural communicator, teacher, pragmatic thinker, fairly decent writer(I think) and way too creative to be working for someone else. I'm don't have a fear of failing but rather a fear of living a life that truly isn't mine.  

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions on how to make the transition easier on my support network would be GREATLY appreciated. 

Thanks,

Michael  

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for having me. 

As I had mentioned, I've been wanting to do this for the longest time. I've had a "few" pieces published locally and submitted the odd letter to the editor but never knew I could actually make this my profession. My first article was published locally and my dad, who reads the news paper voraciously every morning (and thinks if it's been printed, it's law) read my piece and called all of his friends to brag. I have to admit that seeing my name in print was like a moment of clarity. I knew I could do this as a profession. That was back in 2004. 

As an old soul-man, I did the 'Hunt" for information, gathering as much as I could about freelancing, the craft and and the industry. In fact, gathering so much information has led me to contract a condition which I like to call "information constipation".  I became obsessed with getting to know the industry so I could give myself the best possible chance of succeeding. But I forgot about the one thing the industry needs and that's the writing. I stopped writing.

Fast forward 3 years and I was writing again but not with any regularity. I rifled off the odd letter to the editor and they were published but I was torn. Torn between applying the information and taking the next step into writing for a living or just making a living. I had just been laid off from a job and I should have seized the opportunity then but I didn't. I panicked and applied for other work. While in an interview for another position, the interviewer asked me the "what do you want to be doing in 5 years" question. Without hesitation, I blurted "I want to be a writer". He was probably expecting some cookie cutter answer most would give about longevity, stability etc. He hired me on the spot. The job was incredibly stressful. I was there when the recession was just starting and should have been thankful to even be working but I wasn't grateful at all. I wanted to be out on my own writing. 

Be careful what you wish for. I was let go as the recession hit it's full stride. Didn't qualify for benefits. It's been almost 4 years and I'm tired of just working to survive. Job hopping is growing more tiresome than actually working. 

I'm confident I can make a go of it with my writing. I've seen evidence that my writing is good enough. So with all of my information and my little bit of talent, I'm taking this on full time and hoping to never look back. 

I kind of figured I would have to prove my talent/value to those around me with either a paycheck, a byline or a huge 'wad' of cash as you had done. (funny how we always ask questions with an answer already in mind) LOL

Thanks for the response Jennifer. I'm excited to be in this community mingling with like minded people. 
Cheers!

Michael