publish a piece of my writing

How I did it: I wanted to see a piece of my writing published.

I told everyone I knew that I wanted to be-- or was, variously, a writer.


I said: "Yes. Sure, I can do that".
And:   "I will have that for you by Friday".


Even when I didn't know exactly what I was doing.
In this case, despite knowing nil about the subject and even being ever-so-slightly ethically opposed to what I was going to be writing on. Brave or foolish; I think both originate in the same place.

I had promised this piece to a friend but in a professional context, which made it impossible not to complete without risking mortifying, career- related consequences for her, as for our relationship.

I bought a bag of Oreo cookies, some strong coffee and went to work on an ancient PC, rattling away at the keys, pushing self-doubt to the far edges of my brain and not sleeping for two days until I knew I had done all I could on my own to produce a solid piece.
I liked it. Maybe the client would too.

I hit "send" before tumbling to bed at 6:00am, trusting my friend to edit me quickly over her own morning coffee for gaps in style or content.

And then it was done!
I was published.
I was paid (well) for something I had written.

That afternoon, I biked out to a computer shop and spent my earnings on a sleek, ultra-portable laptop. Just in case 'Freelance Writer' was really in me after all...

Lessons & tips: The piece I had published was nothing fancy, and did not bring me any renown.
And I am not yet by any means an established writer.

But I mean to be.

I am still seized by regular fits of doubt around the

creative process. But that one, small success
(which came after a series of confusing

rejections, incidentally) now bolsters my confidence through everything I attempt.

Approach learning to write with some levity, and give yourself LOTS of room to both succeed and fail.
This is incredibly freeing.

I work at staying unattached to exactly what I am going to write about-- and how. This keeps me open to many small opportunities to simply keep writing.

I remind myself that I love to do it, that I cannot stop doing it, so I may as well do it in a way which affords me the chance to learn and grow my skill within it.

I remind myself also that rare good writing occurs without the helpful input of an excellent editor.

A forgiving approach to necessary mistakes - and subsequent growth - will eventually map your course for you. And wherever you end up, you will have enjoyed the ride.

Resources: Friends, family, colleagues and connections.

Oct 28, 06:09PM PDT | 0 comments