It’s rare that I do something for me, just me; however, this weekend I did it.
We packed up the Subaru, with my TBP and the two dogs, and we headed to an island rental house that would serve as home base while I attended writing classes.
My writing was critiqued and my mind was filled with new ideas, new possibilities, and new ways of approaching writing as a craft and as a business.
I met wonderful and generous writers. Some, I know that I will keep in contact with as we all try to help each other.
I learned that “no” is an expected part of the game. Everyone I spoke to seemed to laugh at the number of rejections that they experienced before that “yes” finally came.
I found that while I still consider myself a newbie, there were others impressed with what I’ve done. Hoping like I was last year, “Someday, I want to get a check from the writing.”
There are interesting prospects that I hope will come to light. I am a writer and no longer do I feel that I have to start with…
“kind of” or “trying to be” or “sometimes.”
It’s a lot of work and energy for us to allow me this opportunity and I feel grateful for that.
There were too many snacks consumed and too many video games played. It certainly wasn’t my best stick-to-the-rules-and-routines parenting weekend. There will be some recovery needed.
Thinking about it now, I believe that it’s important for my son to see me doing something that I love that makes me more than a mama. Something that requires time and effort and that isn’t easy or quick. Writing teaches me about patience and rethinking and hearing others.
When I can share the “yes” message after several “no” emails, I hope it demonstrates perseverance to my son who is so hard on himself and others.
Despite the learning and inspiration that I experienced, we decided to come home early.
We are all tired, even the dogs, and we are grateful for our own beds tonight.
My Twice Baked Potato 
So happy for you that you did this for yourself. And I agree… I think it’s important for our kids to see this. It gives them permission to follow their passions and stick with something that doesn’t pan out right away.
I’m hoping you get a check from that writing someday too!
When I attended this same conference, I had never been in a magazine or sent any submissions. I kept saying what a thrill it would be to get paid for something.
Since then, I have been fortunate to get a check in the mail and so now, I’m expanding my request.
I would like to get a steady flow of submissions, articles, anthologies and checks in the mail 😉
BTW, put out my first tweet about my first awesome guest blog happening on Nov 1st 😉
A flood starts as a trickle, right? 🙂
I haven’t used Twitter lately so will have to go take a peek!
Your thought about your son seeing you get fulfillment from something other than being his mama made me realize that even when I was a SAHM (and LOVING it) I also had my writing thing going, and my kids could see that. It never occurred to me that this was probably a good thing – so thanks for that reality check.
Our whole family did a trip one weekend when they were little, to an author’s festival in central Kansas, after I won some tiny award from an arts council for something I’d written. They were quite proud, and I just enjoyed having a weekend away with the whole family. Good memories – so thanks, too, for reminding me of that! 🙂
Wow! Thank you for sharing and reaffirming 😉
Good for you for making this happen. I hope it inspires you and some great work comes from it.
Thank you!
It was SO inspiring to be surrounded by writers!
I have a follow up meeting in November that I’m excited about 🙂
Sounds great. Enjoy it.
THIS is what learning is all about. You’re setting an example to your son that learning (and the struggle that comes with it) is a natural part of life and it’s never-ending. I bet he learned a bit about his mom this week.
Thank you 🙂
I hope so!
Oh, I’m so glad the weekend went well!