The First Step to a Writing Career

Let me start by saying that I hadn't planned on posting two quotes in a row, but I read this today and just thought it was really relevant to my blog, especially considering my title -- Baby Steps.


“The grace to be a beginner is always the best prayer for an artist. The beginner’s humility and openness lead to exploration. Exploration leads to accomplishment. All of it begins at the beginning, with the first small and scary step.”

-Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way


Yesterday, I was thinking about how far I have come in creating my writing career, and it struck me that I am so happy that I had the guts to take that first step. Without doing that, I would still just be dreaming about the day when I would be "a real writer" instead of reaping the benefits of the writer's life.

So if you want to make a living as a writer, just take the first step...and before you know it, that first step of setting out on the path to becoming a writer will lead you closer and closer to the realization of your writing goals.

Becoming A Writer Mama

I made the decision months ago to start this blog and to keep it updated.  Well, it is painfully obvious that I have not stuck to my plan of daily or even weekly blogging. 

For weeks now, I have had the constant feeling that I am running without ever reaching the finish line. I seem to constantly fall short in at least one important aspect of my life - either my children, husband, house, or writing get neglected. If I actually get any writing done, then my house looks terrible. Or if I spend adequate time doing housework, making nutritious and tasty meals, and playing with my children, then no writing gets done.  

Hence, the frustration and disappointment in myself as a writer mama.  I've started asking myself: is it really possible to be successful as a wife, mom, and writer? 

While a loud, resounding "no!" definitely feels like the answer to that question, I know it's not true. I think that, like all things of importance, something worth doing takes effort.  Sometimes it's hard to be a good mom - smiling while changing the tenth diaper of the day can take a little effort sometimes.  So can getting up an hour early to get some writing in while the kids are asleep.  

But just because something takes effort doesn't mean it's not worth it, right? 

Now I definitely know the answer to that question.  My children are the greatest blessing and bring so much happiness to my life, even with all the work that goes into raising them...and I would not give up my job of being their mother for anything the world could offer. 

I love being a mom.  And I love being a writer.  So maybe I fall short of my goals sometimes. 

So what?  

As long as I keep working away, I'm making progress, right?  That's what is important.  Every day I am learning to be a better mom, and most days I am learning to be a better writer. If nothing else, acknowledging this has been a big step for me in my journey as a writer mama, because now I know that as long as I continue to do my best, I am succeeding...slowly but surely. 

The First Step

Let me begin by introducing myself:  My name is Sarah.  I'm in my twenties, married, and have two children (ages two months and eighteen months.)  After giving birth to my first child (an adorable little boy who I love more than I ever thought possible) I decided to be a stay at home mom.

Now with two children (both under the age of two) my life is pretty hectic.  For some strange reason, I want to add to the craziness in my life by pursuing a writing career.  It's actually a simple reason: I love writing and always have!  It's  a great passion of mine and one that I hope I never let go of no matter how hectic my life gets. So I have decided that since I love writing so much and since I can do it from home, there is nothing stopping me from launching a writing career except for myself.  

I have taken the first tiny steps toward reaching this goal by doing two things: starting this blog and contacting a local monthly newspaper.  So right now the two big challenges in my life are: adjusting to life with two kids and starting a writing career.  I will track my progress on this blog as I continue taking small steps forward to becoming a good mom and a professional writer.  Wish me luck and stay tuned!