May 25 2009
Now I Feel Like a Writer!
In my second post, “Becoming a Writer”, I talked about how in order to start thinking of myself as a writer, I had to engage in activities that writers do. With my recent endeavor as Southern Colorado Literature Examiner, I find that I really had know idea what it felt like to be a writer at the time of that posting. I thought that I did, but I was simply cruising along at my own pace, writing whenever my muse decided to provide a dose of inspiration, networking to get traffic to my sites and build a readership, and thinking that this is what it feels like to be a writer. For the past three weeks, since I signed on with Examiner.com, I have learned how little I really knew then.
Being an Examiner, I’ve learned very quickly what it is to be a professional writer. For the past three weeks I have immersed myself in research; finding and contacting authors that I might profile or who have books just released or coming soon to review, identifying events that might be of interest to my readers, exploring different angles for presenting southern Colorado literature. Although I don’t have actual deadlines, I do have a goal of three to four articles per week, which I have kept busy trying to fulfill. In addition, of course, I still have the same obligations that I had prior to taking on this new venture, which includes Writing to be Read, as well as touching base with my networking friends and readers, and keeping them updated as to my new writings and getting the ideas for other writing, such as poetry and additional stories for my children’s series, My Backyard Friends.
This is what it truly feels like to be a writer. It is so much more than just writing a poem here or there, whenever the mood strikes. It is more than trying to stir the embers of inspiration to flare up an idea for a weekly blog post. It is even more than building a readership. Although each of these things, do play a part in being a writer, the research involved in writing articles has taught me a lot already about what it is to seriously do research. I have searched the internet incessantly to not only find ideas and authors, but to verify my facts before I publish them. I have met other authors and corresponded, doing e-mail interviews and having review copies of their books sent for review. I have read incessantly, because you can not review a book you haven’t read, and your can not learn form intelligent questions that will create an accurate and revealing profile of an author without reading their work. When I am not pecking away at the keys to my laptop, I have a book in my hands, my husband and son having to compete for my attention, because I get so immersed in my work that I often forget that they need me, too.
It is a good feeling to be a writer. I am absolutely loving it. I have already made new writing friends that I will probably correspond with for years to come. I have produced what I think are some quality articles so far, and I am learning to manage my time between all of my obligations and even take out time for me, (which is important for my sanity).
In the short three weeks that I have been an Examiner, I have discovered that this really is what I want to do. It is what I dreamed of. I’m doing what I love. It has made me more determined than ever to find a way to write full time and make it my profession. I want to thank those of you that read this blog and those that have visited my Examiner page to read my work there. Without my readers, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I couldn’t do it without you.
Close Your Eyes and Dream…
Close your eyes and dream…
Picture yourself in a sailboat
On an ocean of endless waves.
Close your eyes and dream…
Picture yourself in a cabin
Overlooking an emerald mountain lake.
Close your eyes and dream…
Picture yourself in a city park
As cool, fresh raindrops alight on your skin.
Close your eyes and dream…
Picture yourself on a wind-whipping Hog
Riding the road of endless possibilities.
Close your eyes and dream…
Picture yourself cozily cuddling
The person that you love most in the world.
It matters not where you go
Or who you take with you
Never be afraid to
Close your eyes and dream…
Copyright ©2009 Kaye Lynne Booth
