On becoming who I am meant to be.

I am a writer.
It felt good to write that.

You see, I have been selling myself short for some time now. The words have been part of who I am and I have felt comfortable with their place within me but I've been making excuses to keep the words to myself. Lacking experience, short on confidence, and a bit lazy-my yearning to be a paid writer has been squashed.

Until now...

A few months ago I discovered that a few fellow local writers that I know were a part of an on-line publication called Athens Patch. When I saw the work that they were doing about local news, I felt jealous. Why wasn't I involved? I'm a local writer, right? I suddenly felt very left out until it hit me...no one knew that I was writer. Sure, I'm a blogger, which is a form of writing, but much more fluid and personal. I wanted to write features and editorials. If that was going to happen, I was going to have to put myself and my talents out there for the world to see.

Suddenly, I felt brave and capable as my desire to be a writer forced my fears to subside. Somehow, good booga booga must have been released into the universe at that moment. Circumstances led Athens Patch to me just a few weeks later. The editor contacted me to see if I wanted a platform for my blog. Her phone number was on the bottom of the e-mail so I put a phone call in. After a very long conversation full of laughter and mom confessions, I hung up the phone with a story assignment and was suddenly a freelance writer.

Just like that.

My first story was a success and so another story was sent my way. Before long, I was offered the weekly column "Moms Talk" (thank you to my most loyal readers who hop over and comment!) where I open discussion topics about parenting issues. The money I make is next to nothing but I can splurge now and get a pedicure if I need it. It feels good to pay for things with my own money. Being a Stay at Home Mom for the last six years has not afforded me that pleasure in a long time.

Now, even more editorial stories are coming my way. It feels so satisfying to call a contact for a story and say "I am a reporter for Athens Patch and I would like to ask you a few questions for an article that I am writing." I find deep satisfaction in the process of writing an article. From conducting the research, to first drafts, to snapping photographs to accompany the story, I feel excited. It may seem a bit silly but I feel inherently that

I am becoming who I am meant to be...
a writer.

It's amazing how life just works out sometimes. I sense that I am at the beginning of my writing career and even though some may consider my new writing gig to be small potatoes, to me it is a super fancy gourmet baked potato topped with all of the most delicious toppings. It's time for me to dig in!