The World of an Aspiring Author

The World of an Aspiring Author


Changing professions was not easy to do. It was like diving into the deep end of a pool. However I have found the brave and daring are the ones who succeed, the ones who never give up. Professional authors like Elizabeth Gilbert, J.K. Rowling, Matthew Riley, Louise Hay and Hazel Edwards just to name a few, share characteristics of perseverance, courage, determination, risk taking and belief in themselves. All their journeys have been hard on the road to success.

Many people have jumped into the deep end, that is what life is about and when I changed professions this is what I did too. I would like to share my journey into ‘The World of an Aspiring Author.’

In my next blog post I will focus on a quick discussion and review of Not Just A Piece Of Cake Being An Author by Hazel Edwards.

We all grow up thinking about what career path we want to take. Teachers, parents, family and friends constantly ask the common question:

What do you want to be when you grow up?’

When first asked this question in prep at school, I told my teacher I wanted to be a milk bar lady so I could eat lollies and ice cream all day. I remember others saying they wanted to be a ballerina or work in the zoo.

Teaching was my first profession and still is but I took the leap into writing. Starting a new profession was tough even after obtaining a degree. The new common response at job interviews after the completion of the degree was:

You would be wonderful for the job but you have no experience.

I have discussed that response with many others in teaching, accounting and design just to name a few, and the common conclusion was:

How do you get experience when no one wants to give you a chance? It is a vicious circle.

When I changed careers, I knew I had all the characteristics of the professional authors who I have previously listed, but for ASPIRING WRITERS I would highly recommend that you read Hazel Edwards book Not Just A Piece Of Cake Being An Author before you even pick up a pen.

Some people think I would love to be famous or I would love to be on television or be a writer BUT do these people know what they are really getting themselves into? Elizabeth Gilbert mentions ‘shit sandwiches’ in Big Magic and yes there are ‘shit sandwiches’ in all jobs. But with passion no amount of ‘shit sandwiches’ stop people from doing what they love!

‘Do what you love, love what you do.’ Ray Bradbury

Good luck with your writing.

Best wishes,

Juliet x

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