If you’re like me, you’re in the middle of this interesting
journey called “looking for work.” Not just a job, but work – the “I am what I
do” kind of work. The kind where something you love puts food on the table and
vacations in your memory.
If you’re like me, your work is creative.
If you’re specifically like me, you’re a writer. The feel of
the keyboard is like the sound of waves to a surfer. The ideas come thick and
fast. And, it turns out, so do the possibilities.
Almost too fast. Way too thick.
Because, if you’re like me, you started with the certainty that
to be a writer meant to be published -- in magazine or book form -- and peddled
through bookstores. But you’ve recently discovered just how many opportunities
there are for your special skills. Options beyond finding an agent. Options that
don’t take a year to reach fulfillment. Options that are actually being
actively sought by people who will pay.
But so many options! Copywriter; blog writing; travel writer,
greeting cards, and oh, what about editing? Where should we put that precious
focus? How do we decide where to start? Because, really, what am I going to
like or be good at, besides crafting my stories?
The good news is, most of these options are just another
form of sending stories for publication. We can sift through the advertisements
like we sift through publishers and agents, gleaning clues about voice and
genre and experience. We can see what each company is about, and view samples
if they’re provided.
We can pick something that sounds like a fit.
And then we can do the work. Jump in and apply and submit
and, praise be to the Muses, write.
If you’re like me, it will take practice finding where and
how (and for whom) you want to work. But it’s practice we need as writers
anyway. And while we’re winding our way through the possibilities, we’ll be
building our portfolios and sharpening our skills.
And at the end of the path, the table and the memories will
be full.
I hope you have a great day!
-L
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