| Nike's ad has taken on new meaning for me of | | | | to write. After repeating this statement to the |
| late; "Just do it!" runs through my mind like a | | | | tenth person, I began to feel somewhat guilty. |
| mantra. Although my dreams have nothing to do | | | | After all, I was making it sound as if it were a |
| with athletic shoes and little to do with athletics | | | | done deal, when I really had barely started. I had |
| (unless you count the long list of ideas I have | | | | a bunch of "how to" articles stacked in my home |
| developed which revolve around my sons and | | | | office that were conflicting and sometimes |
| their activities), I have spent a long time avoiding | | | | confusing. I had not even read some of the |
| the one thing I've always wanted to do - write. | | | | articles yet. |
| Writing has actually been a part of my work life | | | | Many of my well wishers countered with |
| for a very long time. I've written and edited in the | | | | questions that unintentionally poked holes in my |
| business world. I've taught writing to high school | | | | game face. "Write what?" they asked. "For |
| students. I've written countless lesson plans, | | | | whom?" they asked. The answers to their |
| activities, etc. I have never tried to get any of | | | | questions involved explaining the vast quantities of |
| my work published, until now. | | | | research through which I had only recently begun |
| Making the decision to write for a living was | | | | to sift. I felt my courage failing because I could |
| actually one of the most difficult obstacles I | | | | not adequately explain the process I was only |
| needed to overcome. ("Overcome" is probably | | | | beginning to understand myself. That insidious |
| too strong. I am still scared to death that I won't | | | | self-doubt began to erode my courage. |
| be able to pay my mortgage.) I never doubted | | | | But I persevered. As I plodded through articles |
| my ability to write, but I did doubt my ability to | | | | about query letters, marketing skills, and copyright |
| write for a living. My former employer helped me | | | | I began to see opportunity in the mountains of |
| make the decision by firing me. (They actually | | | | material. |
| called it a reduction in force, or RIF for short.) | | | | That opportunity belongs to the writer who can |
| After avoiding the application process for weeks, | | | | stick it out. As I delve into some of the markets |
| then staring at an online application for close to an | | | | listed online and read about their requirements, I |
| hour, I finally had to come to terms with myself | | | | now think: "I can do that!" A torrent of ideas |
| and my goals for the future. | | | | spouts out of me as I work, as I sleep, as I drive |
| While I love teaching, I am tired of the politics | | | | car pool. I have several pieces started, a myriad |
| that accompany teaching. I can't face it any more. | | | | of sticky notes hanging from shelves in my |
| I need to pay my bills and be financially | | | | office, and a legal pad with several pages of |
| responsible, but part of raising my children | | | | notes. My game face is back and for the first |
| involves being a role model. I don't want them to | | | | time it is supported with real confidence. |
| be afraid to take a risk that could help them | | | | Looking back on the those first weeks and |
| realize their dreams because they watched their | | | | months, I realize what I have accomplished. I |
| mother play it safe. | | | | have taken the first step - I made the decision to |
| Having said that, I must admit that my new | | | | write for a living. I have learned that writing query |
| found bravery faltered when I wrote two checks | | | | letters is the standard and expected practice for |
| totaling $1100.00 for two children to play travel | | | | pitching ideas to potential markets. I have learned |
| soccer next year. Nevertheless, I developed a | | | | what information should be included in a query |
| game face and hid my fears from everyone. I | | | | letter. I have learned that Writer's Market is the |
| even fooled myself for a while. As the school | | | | best place to find those markets. |
| year ended, my colleagues began asking me | | | | I am now taking the next step: I'm looking for |
| about my plans for the fall. I answered - with | | | | appropriate markets and writing query letters to |
| confidence that I only partially felt - that I planned | | | | pitch my ideas. We'll see... |