"Write"

In the Spring of 2010 my super-smart-talented-professor-cousin, Angie, sent me an email about an opportunity to submit stories.  She even encouraged me to submit my stories.  I was impressed she thought I was talented enough.

Four years ago I wrote six stories that were published.  They were all rapid fire.  My writing was coming fast and the editors kept publishing my work.  Then I got pregnant, which for me means that EVERY.  SINGLE.  THING.  in my life stops with the exception of trying to stay alive and keeping my children alive.

It has taken me four years to submit another story in spite of my desires.  For the past three years I've had the goal to "write."  Not only did I have the goal, but I kept feeling prompted to "write."

As we do, I ignored, brushed off, and found many ways to distract myself from this prompting.  Mostly in the form of shopping or eating.  Oh yes, and the perfect of excuse of being too busy taking care of my family.

I gained 5 lbs and wasted a whole lot of money just trying to avoid my prompting. 

Until last week.  I had just run five miles.  I was feeling great.  I came home to an empty house.  Everyone was gone, but me.  I used the morning to study, ponder and meditate.  As I began going about my daily tasks of laundry, dishes, checking instagram, facebook and email, I heard that little voice in my head saying, "write."

I had so many great excuses not too.  Instinctively, I grabbed my purse.  Then a brownie.  But something stopped me.  For whatever reason, Monday, April 20th was the day that the excuses stopped.

I promptly marched up to my computer, sat down and thought, now what?  I began browsing the internet.  I started doing some research.  One hour later, as my searching and questions drifted to paper, I had a rough draft of a story.

I was shocked.  How did that happen?  So shocked that I decided to surprise myself some more.  I submitted a proposal to have the article published.  I decided to get back to my household chores, when after just 30 minutes, I received a message saying that my article had been accepted.

I finished the article.  Submitted it.  Less than 24 hours later it was published.

While I'm frustrated at myself for waiting so long, I also know that for whatever reason, this is the right time for me.  I'm excited to continue writing and have set some lofty goals for myself to ensure that I don't stop.

The moral of this story is that if God is telling you to do something.  If he is inspiring you and whispering to you over and over and over again to do something.  He will prepare the way.  He will help you accomplish your goals.

my writing career

 

This past September, I got an e-mail from my cousin suggesting that I submit some of my stories that I write on my blog to deseretconnect.com.  I was flattered that my Communications Professor-Published Writer-Very Successful-Cousin had so much confidence in me.  However, I was busy and left the message lingering in my inbox.  Each time I cleaned out my inbox that message haunted me.  It felt like something I should do, but I didn't have the same confidence or drive I did when I was actually pursuing my journalism degree and career.  So I disregarded the message every time it caught my eye.

During the month of December, I set a goal that I would simply get on the website and fill out my profile.  Once I got logged on and made it through the application process, I started playing around with the site and was surprised at how easy it was to pitch a story.  Thinking that nobody would ever respond, I pitched a story and made my deadline the next day.

To my horror, dismay, demise sweet surprise my story was immediately accepted.  As they say, the rest is history.  I threw together a story {based on the title I had pitched}.  Found out it would be published the following Monday in the print edition of the Deseret News and was an overnight success story as shocked as everyone else when they saw my families picture in the paper.

I was so excited that I immediately began writing more.  I loved that I had this new creative outlet where my two lives of journalist and mother could meet in the family section of the Deseret News once a week.

Below are links to the stories I've had published (for those of you asking if I've written anymore).  Also, the pictures featured above were from the first assignment that my editor gave me.  Exciting!  I really felt like a real journalist with my notepad, asking questions at the Church History Museum Press Event.  It was fabulous because I got to bring my family along too.  I'm excited for this opportunity and can't wait to write more.  If any of you are interested in writing, this same opportunity is available to you too.  Go check out the website!

Teaching Children the Joy of Giving, Deseret News, December 13, 2010

My Favorite Christmas Tradition, Mormon Times, December 24, 2010 

Post-Holiday Survival Tips for Parents, Deseret News, December 26, 2010

This Year, Try Slowing Down and Enjoying the Ride, Deseret News, January 2, 2011

Ex-Planner Converts to 'Just Do It', Deseret News, January 2, 2011

5 Things Families Can Expect to Find at the Newest Church History Museum Exhibit, Deseret News, January 23, 2011