Its been a while since I updated about my professional writing progress. And, as you can see by the title of this blog post, I have some rather fantastic news to share!
Firstly, let’s start with a catch up of what has been happening since I made the brave move to declare myself to be a writer, and took the first steps into a freelance writing career a few months ago*.
Setting Writing Goals
Inspired by Jeff Goins** I set myself two goals to start with. The first was to write every single day, whether that was a few sentences or a few pages. The second was to ‘practice in public,’ which meant getting my writing out there, to be read by others.
I am pleased to say I have stuck to my commitments. Each day, I have made time to write and to publish some blogs as practice. I have also regularly been sending out short stories and articles for consideration and applying for blogging positions.
(**I really recommend Jeff’s books on writing, they have got me fired up, motivated and progressing with my writing!)
Sending Out Freelance Writing Pitches
I have had rejection after rejection, which I of course expected and knew would be part of the process, but it still took a lot of deep breaths and positive self-talk to remind myself of that. Then, suddenly, an email arrived with the words, ” We would be delighted to publish your piece!”
I cannot tell you the rush of emotions I went through when I received this email. I am not at all embarrassed to say I cried with pride!
My First Published Story!
The piece is a memoir-style personal essay about my recovery and gender transition, and the publisher is Narratively magazine. For the past month, the editor and I have been going back and forth cutting and changing things. In being my first time working with a publisher in this way, I cannot say if this is a regular occurrence, I expect it is. I found this to be such a valuable experience, I am incredibly grateful for her patience and guidance, and I have learned so much in this process.
Last week we finished the final edit, and I then received an email to notify me of the date of publication, which is today! I am over the moon to share my very first published piece with you all. This has happened a such a significant and special time for me, as I complete the medical part of my gender transition and move into a new and exciting phase of my life.
If you enjoy the piece, please do share it along!
Hello! My name is Finn and I have a passion for creating honest content, that inspires personal growth and promotes well-being.
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[…] My practising in public started with submitting short stories to magazines. I had an idea that was where my future as a writer may lie. However, I had no luck with that avenue. Then, I turned to what I was already doing well, content on mental health and LGBT topics. Eventually, I began to receive some acceptance emails. It filled me with huge joy, to see my first piece published! […]