I’ve spent the day working on a story that I’m a little nervous about writing. I mean, I think I can make money from it yet I don’t want to disrupt anyone’s life by writing it.
I’ll have to think about it some more and go over it with an editor if I can find one who is interested. The crazy thing about being a journalist is I can see stories that others can’t. I don’t have any other journalist friends to bounce ideas off of or to ask for advice or direction about stories that I want to write and that makes me sad. Sure Ruby graduated with a BS in Public Relations but it’s still not the same as knowing a hungry journalist looking for the story that will break them into the big leagues.
Yeah, I know WRITERS but making stuff up is completely different from reporting a story. Recently I received an email from a reader of my blog that I met when I was in Dallas and she came across my blog by chance long after I left Dallas. She’s also a journalist and she said that she wanted to try to write a story about my life.
I questioned her intensley to see where her head was and she answered all of my questions easily and in a heartfelt way. It reminded me of when I first came across that story about the couple who got engaged in the Ritz Carlton and their slide show bounced around internet land millions of times. When I approached them to write their story they questioned me and questioned me but I stood firm, hoping to convince them that I had good intentions with the story.
I guess the idea worked because I was the first to publish their complete story, even before other mags and websites like Essence and Oprah.com got a hold of them. Yay! I scooped them!
I can recognize a good story. Stories that have drama, conflict, struggle and change make good stories. Stories that depict ordinary life in an unusual way make a good story. Stories that show people who do extraordinary things make good stories. Stories about people in unusual circumstances make good stories.
Because that writer who contacted me recognized all of those elements in my story, it lets me know she has a real eye. I really hope she can sell it and make money and that it will help propel both of our writing careers.
I remember back when I was in college I was doing this project in the community and I told one of my classmates about it. She asked if she could write a story about it and I told her yeah. The story ended up on the front page and they offered her a staff position.
I was happy and hurt at the same time. I was going for the same staff position but I didn’t get it. ~smile~ Now I just laugh and remember how a small idea and a guesture of goodwill on my part ended up getting me front page press.
I’m a reporter who does news worthy things. Isn’t that sort of a conflict? Blah..We’ll see what happens.
I’m almost ready to start my 2nd job as a marketing agent/tour agent. I have access to discounted tickets on every attraction in Florida and lots of hotel stays and cruises to sell. I finished training on Friday and I’ll be working evenings and hopefully pulling in money on commission. I’m scared really. The trainer said that nearly 1/3 of the class will likely quit within the first two weeks because you have to be strong to take so much rejection. Am I that strong?
Both of the jobs that I have don’t pay much. If I continue to work them I’ll be able to afford my own place but if I try to quit one job I won’t be able to.
Catch 22 because if I work both jobs and have my own place I can’t see my sons as much as I would like to. My only other option is to go back to where I was before I left Miami two years ago- back to working in an office and emailing my friends back and forth everyday- that is IF I can find a job like that.
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind that. I don’t know. I really just want to be able to take care of my sons and give my gift of writing, creativity and inspiration. I hate when people say “You can’t have it all.”
Why not?
Oh Lord…My back is hurting and my arms are aching. It’s not because of the physical labor I do at work, it’s because I haven’t been held or touched in such a long time.
I crave affection and without it, my body goes through withdrawal. No, that’s not why I have random secks with men. When I feel like this I usually need to cuddle. Thank God my boys will be back tomorrow, but then again, I don’t know if or when I’ll have the time or the place to cuddle with them.
We’ll see how that goes down.
On another note I don’ t know why I was thinking about JB so much last night. Remember him? He’s the editor from Atlanta that I used to..um…~be with??~ for a short while in 2007. I smile when I think of him. I think of all the men I’ve encountered he was the one who most appreciated me for being who I am. The freedom I had when I was talking to him was unlike anything I had ever experienced. He never judged me harshly for being me and I really liked that.
It’s kind of like that article I posted about how to tame a free spirit: Allow them to be who they are and they will love you more for it.
He gave me that, to a degree, and I loved him for it.
I wonder what he’s up to. Dang, he must be 35 by now.
Let me go google him and see what he’s writing lately.