Seven months ago, I officially left my teaching career to pursue freelance writing. It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make—not
because I wasn't passionate about teaching, but because I was more passionate about writing. My journey thus far has been blessed with a
handful of acceptance letters and a small grant for technical writing that helps pay the bills.
But I'll admit, after making the transition from full-time teaching to part-time freelancing, I quickly discovered that writing every day
wasn't easy. The rewards, however, have been immeasurable. Now, more than ever, I have begun to tap into my consistent writing voice.
In an effort to create an audience for myself and build up new material, I started a blog. Now almost two hundred pages later, and after
blogging every single night since July 29th, I am happy to say my blog has been "discovered."
Unbeknownst to me, the editor of Western North Carolina Woman had been following my blog and loving it. (My hunch is that she
found the link in my bio, which I had included in a previous submission to the publication.)
Late one Sunday evening I received an email stating: "Katey, Would you be willing to put together a quick article on blogging?"
She went on to say she wanted to publish the first seven entries I posted in 2006 (almost 3,000 words) along with a list of my favorite
links and a description of the writing guidelines I created for myself in order to focus and shape the blog content.
My hard work was paying off but there was only one catch. The editor wanted an article on blogging to accompany my blog posts and she
needed it by the very next afternoon.
First and foremost, I decided I needed a full night's rest so I convinced myself that I could pull off the article in one afternoon. The
next day, I unplugged the phone and sat down at the desk. I closed my eyes and reflected:
- Why had I started the blog?
- How had this daily writing practice shaped my writing voice and opened up various other freelance markets to me?
- What was different about my blog that made the editor want to feature it?
Within minutes I had my answer. In her email, the editor had quoted the description I had placed on my blog, stating that she was
interested in the parameters I had created for myself. I quickly shaped an article around what I now call "My Five Precepts of Blogging."
- Write 250 to 1,000 words per night.
- Post first drafts only.
- Write each entry in less than 30 minutes.
- Never blog about blogging.
- Be nice, fair, and honest without selling out.
Within two hours I had a 950-word article titled "The Nature of the Blog." The article elaborated on “My Five Precepts of Blogging” and
was ready for publication.
I could have fallen into self-doubt or quivering nervousness, but I called on the momentum that had been brewing in me since I began this
daily blogging practice instead. In the end, I received compensation, recognition, and a success story.
About The Author:
Katey Schultz is a freelance writer and tutor. If you decide to start a blog and use Katey’s "My Five Precepts of Blogging"
give her a plug by placing a link to her blog and acknowledging her role in your blog’s direction. To contact Katey, visit
The Writing Life and post a comment.
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