It’s official: I’m a writer!

by DaniGirl on May 29, 2008 · 31 comments

in It IS all about me, My 15 minutes

Long time readers and friends (hmmm, that may be redundant) know that I have always harboured not-so-secret dreams of being a “real” writer.

You might argue that I already am a writer in that my day job (in that other life that still lurks outside of maternity leave) since a large part of my job comprises stringing words together in a way that is meaningful. It’s rarely creative, though — at least, not in the conventional sense.

You might have more success in arguing that through blog, I have come closer to earning the title of “writer.” I write regularly for an audience, often with at least a certain amount of craft and attention to style, voice and narrative. In accepting paid advertising and other compensation, I’ve even been remunerated for my writing. All very nice, and all writerly sorts of things to do. But somewhere in my head, I’ve always felt I wouldn’t be an official “writer” until someone commissioned an article and published it, and was even kind enough to pay me for my efforts.

That day has finally come.

Remember last summer, when the nice folks over at Smuggler’s Notch offered us a free weekend getaway at the resort, all for the simple effort of blogging it? Well, my contact there sent me an e-mail just after Lucas was born saying congratulations on the new baby, and oh, by the way, would you be interested in writing an article for our resort magazine? I was barely a month postpartum, hormonal and sleep deprived. I couldn’t write a coherent grocery list, let alone be creative and wordy enough to write an actual essay. Of course I said yes.

The theme was “taking a walk on the wild side” and the idea the editor wanted to pursue was adventures with your kids. I took my original blog post on our canoe trip from hell and polished it up a bit to turn it into a freestanding article (click on the link that says “Family Adventure: Who Needs Wildlife When You’ve Got Kids” near the bottom of the page.) In re-reading it, there are a few things I would change, but it’s not bad for a first try, especially one written when I considered it a good day to get my teeth brushed by dinner time.

The resort magazine has a circulation of about 17,000, so it has the potential to be read by quite a few eyeballs. And of course, I stuck the blog address in my byline.

My first published article. One more item to check off on my life-long to-do list. I’m so proud of me!!


{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }

1 mamatulip May 29, 2008 at 6:13 pm

Congratulations, Dani! That’s awesome!

I had to laugh about the ‘being quite on the canoe trip’ part – that wouldn’t happen with my kids, either.

2 Jen May 29, 2008 at 6:31 pm

Kudos! That’s awesome.

Jen

3 Shauna May 29, 2008 at 6:33 pm

Wow! Congrats. That’s amazing!

4 Theresa May 29, 2008 at 6:42 pm

Love your article Dani!! Way to go girl!!!!

5 Rev Dr Mom May 29, 2008 at 7:23 pm

Awesome!

6 daysgoby May 29, 2008 at 8:14 pm

CONGRATULATIONS!

7 Chili May 29, 2008 at 8:47 pm

Dani,

Way to go! That is awesome. I am so proud of you!

Chili. (a long-time reader and lazy commenter…)

8 snackmommy2 May 30, 2008 at 12:17 am

Way to go, you should be proud of youself…I am!!

9 snackmommy2 May 30, 2008 at 12:18 am

PS….my captcha was Graduate Martin. I don’t know who Martin is, but you have definitely graduated my friend.

10 Renee May 30, 2008 at 3:33 am

Well, I’ve been knowing that you’re a great writer! Glad someone else recognized it too. Congratulations!

11 JoJo May 30, 2008 at 4:26 am

Wow, congratulations! That’s amazing. I am so proud of you!!!!

12 Batman May 30, 2008 at 7:13 am

Wow! Congrats! Nice job. Can I have your autograph?

13 Cait May 30, 2008 at 7:46 am

Woohoo Dani! It’s official: it’s a yay day!

14 alison May 30, 2008 at 7:58 am

Congrats, Dani! That’s great news and I’m so happy for you! Great article.

Captcha oracle says: amusing Beetle – maybe your next magazine article should be about funny insects??

15 smothermother May 30, 2008 at 8:58 am

Yeah you!

16 Mad Hatter May 30, 2008 at 9:05 am

Congratulations!

Captcha is “additional 79” which makes me think you have a lucrative career ahead of you.

17 Ingrid May 30, 2008 at 9:06 am

Congratulations! You’re really having a great year!

18 Chantal May 30, 2008 at 9:07 am

That is excellent Dani, Congratulations!

19 Andrea May 30, 2008 at 9:08 am

Congratulations, Dani!

20 andrea from the fishbowl May 30, 2008 at 9:27 am

Congrats lucky lady! Your blog is opening some really great windows for you…! How wonderful!

21 Jody May 30, 2008 at 9:56 am

Congratulations!

22 Liz May 30, 2008 at 10:15 am

Doing a silly happy dance for you! WOOT!

23 Lee May 30, 2008 at 2:54 pm

Fabulous Dani! Here’s to many, many more!

24 Susan May 30, 2008 at 3:05 pm

Congrats! I loved that blog post when you wrote it–I’m glad a revised version is getting a wider audience. (not sure what it means that the captcha here is ruthless office–a captcha endorsement for working from home?!?!)

25 Rebecca May 30, 2008 at 4:21 pm

Congratulations!!!! That’s awesome! I am so proud of you too!!

26 Kris May 30, 2008 at 5:29 pm

Awesome!

27 Mac & Cheese May 30, 2008 at 8:29 pm

You deserve it! Congrats!

28 dean dad May 30, 2008 at 8:35 pm

Go Dani!

We knew you when…

29 Shan May 31, 2008 at 7:19 am

That’s awesome! Way to go!

30 Mimi and Pipi May 31, 2008 at 8:25 am

Just read your your article in Smuggs! Congrats!! you are on your way, Love the title, We are so proud of you and knew it would only a matter of time that you would be discovered….you go GIRL!!! love ya

Leave a Comment

{ 1 trackback }

Previous post:

Next post: