My writing adventure: Small Beginnings.

0 not despise small beginnings. It is so easy to do.

To think that we are failing because our dreams are not moving along as quickly as we’d planned, the climb to our goal has become a standstill, and we are left battling the fierce enemy of discouragement.

The phrase written above is near and dear to my heart. Why? You might ask.

My husband and I have some mighty tall dreams, placed in our hearts by our maker – larger than we can conceive. Through faith and more faith, we have seen small. humble. beginnings.

This is also the phrase that opened my first ever published article. I still wonder, where did this article writing business come from? I thought I was a songwriter.

Here is the back-story: my husband is always busy writing and co-writing songs. Sure, I write alongside him, at times writing by myself, occasionally writing with family or friends, but mostly I critique his songs, adding lyrics and ideas. But, if truth be told, what’s usually brewing in my mind are the stories. I think in stories – I tell stories – I collect information all. the. time. Most daily events in my life could become a story. The problem? Finding anyone that wants to hear all the stories and/or facts.

I started blogging as an outlet for the growing collection of stories in my head. It’s been mind blowing how many daily happenings evolve into stories with an important truth that needs to be told.  The blog was a perfect place to do this. I am always researching any subject that interests me. I have learned to turn this characteristic off when socializing… or at least I turn it down a bit. I try (I said try) to wait for questions or an inquisitive comment, then I try to be tactful about unloading my information (again, I said try).

In June 2010, I was casually approached about writing for a publication company that releases magazines in numerous towns throughout the South. I received my first assignment in November. I dug in,  and lo and behold, guess what i had to do? : GATHER INFORMATION; READ; SEARCH; FIND. “Get out! You mean I can get paid to find information???” Of course there is the compiling of information, pouring over notes, listening to interview’s writing, writing, editing and more writing and editing.

So it begins the first article was written via phone interview and lots of research. It was challenging but I loved every bit of it. Then came the second article. This one is currently in the hands of the designer.  One day I heard about a local women who created an organic skincare line. I was so intrigued that i stayed up way too late reading all about her inventions and learning tons of healthy living information. Like I said, I am innately driven to become a mini expert on any subject that sparks an interest, no matter the cost. Kinda weird, I know.

Would you believe the next day I got a call with an assignment to write an article about her. I was stoked. Now, I am starting a third article. I just recently began to employ Evernote to help me organize all my clippings as I research before conducting the interview. Oh and throw in a little photography and a little styling for photos and you’ve got a creative feast for this girl.

My heart did a little jig when I received the magazine and still, two months later, I like knowing there is an article in that magazine that i wrote. Yeah, right there by the Beatles book. Ha!

Wanna read the article? You can find it…………………………. HERE……………………………pg. 22

THE END.