A Writing Writer

This post is mainly for me but those of y'all who keep up with me may be interested as well. If you've known me longer than five minutes then you should know that I want to be a writer when I grow up. Someone once told me that the writing world is the hardest industry to break into...I think that is true. Anyway, however small my steps are, I am breaking into that world. 

I've been intentional about reaching that goal over the last few years. I've written crap (yes, crap!) for free...because you have to start somewhere. I did some freelance writing for Interactive Content Services (ICS) which is owned and operated by the US Institute for Legal Reform. I got paid for that gig but politics aren't really my genre of choice. 

These days I'm a paid author for AmericanTowns Media, writing about the Best Things in Arkansas. I'll admit that I get a kick out of the comments I see from my readers and at times I'm overwhelmed at the joy folks get when I rank them among the Best Ten in the Natural State. I think it's a good thing for businesses to know that their services and hard work are appreciated. And I just love writing about my home state of Arkansas!

I was also recently accepted into the International Association for Professional Writers and Editors (IAPWE)...it's a brand new gig so I'm still figuring it out, but it will no doubt lead to something interesting at the very least. I also just got a gig with a group based out of the United Kingdom...it's brand new too so stay tuned.

I'm working on my second article for the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture titled "Mennonites". I love this gig because I have the opportunity to use my writing to educate myself and others. I learned so much from the first piece I wrote, "Pentecostals".

Then there's my poetry. I've never really imagined making a living at it, but I've always loved writing poems. Robert Frost has always been one of my favorites. I've had one of my poems published in an online anthology and I've been entering prose competitions.

One project that came straight from my heart is a blog called "Uncle Outlaw". It's about my Uncle who has struggled with addiction and is currently serving time in prison. My intention with this blog was to bring attention to the gaps in communication that are so common in families, as well as addressing the areas of lack in our prisons and rehab centers. Despite the positive impact this blog has already had on many people, I have taken it down because of family issues. Several family members have deleted me on social media because of this blog. It breaks my heart but I still believe in this project and will somehow continue it some day.

I'm in the beginning stages of a short story series that I'm really excited about. I'm collaborating with a few folks on this and think it has the potential to become something very interesting...we shall see.


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