Today marks the 1-year anniversary of this publishing effort. Five days a week, every week. To date, I’ve published 268 posts - a few days had multiple, short posts.
Writing and publishing here has changed me. It’s not only made me focus on my craft, it has also made me spend a significant time in contemplation, thinking about what I want to say and trying to find the right words to say it clearly and honestly. I’ve learned to be more careful and considered with what I write and the discipline of daily publishing has helped add structure and form to my now freelance and self-employed day.
When I started, I was fresh from full time employment and I wasn’t sure what I wanted, but it didn’t take me long to figure out that I wasn’t interested in working for someone else or finding another full-time job. I’d spent the best part of 25 years working in big and small businesses and it was time for me to step back and ask myself what I really wanted to do. The answer has always been clear, but now I had the courage and determination to follow through: I am a writer. So write!
And I do. Every day. In addition to this blog, I wrote the first draft of a novel (a bad one, but I did it!), and started a writing business that has taken off much more quickly than I expected. I’m very busy, on track to make as much or more money as I did as an employee last year, and having a hell of a good time doing it. I highly recommend it (your mileage may vary). I plan on writing a new novel this fall, hopefully a better one this time, my business calendar is filling up, and I will continue publishing this blog, five days a week, for the foreseeable future.
Anniversaries are worth celebrating. Yesterday my wife Diane and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. A year from now our youngest daughter will leave for college and Diane and I will begin a new phase of our lives together. I thank her for supporting me in making the transition from miserable business executive to ecstatically happy writer and blogger.
My thanks to my friend and colleague Gary Ralston, who helped me work through the inner turmoil and get my feet planted on this path without regret or fear.
And all of this would not have been possible without my particular friend, dedicated reader and editor, Penny. Thank you. It’s your anniversary, too!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations sir.
Thanks!
I’ve had multiple other blogging projects going back as far as 1995 (when we didn’t call it “blogging”). This project has been different - I had a plan and made a commitment to publish. It’s been a real pleasure, and a big part of it has been the opportunity to meet and start to get to know people like you.
Randy
Congratulations! That is a very inspiring story.
Thanks, Jonas. It’s been a wonderful year.
congratulations, Randy! Your story is an encouragement for us all.
Thanks, Tom. As I said, your milage may vary, but it’s well worth trying!
Congratulations, Randy. May the next 12 months be even more enriching for you and your readers.
Thanks, Eddie. Got lots of hopefully great stuff planned.
Congrats Randy! Wow, that’s a lot of posts. And your writing is excellent. Good luck with the novel.
Thanks, Hal!
Congratulations Randy. I’ve always enjoyed your writing, and your story is (a little) similar to mine in the transition to writer, and the love of it. Thanks for the inspiration.
Jonathan from Spritzophrenia
Thanks, Jonathan.
I have always been a writer. I just never claimed it as my job and with my independence before. It’s remarkable when you can align who you are with what you do. I’m fortunate to find a way to make it work.
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