You Have To Show Up As A Writer
Sometimes it’s hard to believe in yourself as a writer. But you have to show up and take a chance as a writer.
You Have To Show Up
For the longest time, I didn’t feel like a writer. I felt like fraud. Once, when I was 30, I decided to respond to an ad for a position as magazine journalist. I didn’t have any experience, but I attached an unpublished column and a movie review. I didn’t expect to hear back – but a few days later I got a call from the editor.
Taking that chance led to my first ‘real’ job as a writer. Within a few weeks, I was writing up a storm and promoted to lifestyle editor – attending openings for clubs, theatres, galleries. I wrote about art, sex, health. More than that, I was lucky to meet and interview fascinating people – artists, directors, activists – all who would stay in my mind as potential characters for stories later on.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe in yourself as a writer. But you have to show up and take a chance – do something that scares you, something you haven’t done before.
A big part of being a writer is being brave.
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by Anthony Ehlers
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