Published in my own name!

The problem with much of the work I am doing is that commissioning editors don't seem to want me to point out it is my work and not theirs! So it is with some relief that I can point to this article on Platform 10 which I wrote for them about the coalition.

Meanwhile Charlie is currently sitting in my window watching the birds sitting on the telephone wire. Barking at them. Nutcase!

19 kilos and still growing

Charlie the puppy that is. She had a six month check up at the vets during the week, is now on Evening Primrose Oil (at ten quid a bottle) for a skin condition and is growing faster than ever.

Talking of growing, I am pleased with the number of jobs I have had this week - two financial prospectuses, a political article, some work on a website still under construction and a potential link up with an agency in the Far East.

Hopefully things will keep this positive.

Well that went well...

An auspicious start, in that soon after setting up this blog I then received an offer to ghost a blog for someone else over the last few weeks. That has now come to an end but really took it out of me - producing upwards of ten posts a day towards the end, with several thousand regular readers. I have taken this weekend off and am going back into the market tomorrow! Since I last blogged the dog has easily doubled in size - she is currently sat at my feet snoring her head off, after a long, long walk. In the meantime, I have significantly increased my portfolio of work and I am currently writing the text for the website of a friend who is also branching out on his own. Since I have a deadline of midday tomorrow, I am now going back to it, should get it in with about two hours to spare.

Taking the plunge

Imagine the scene. A wooden deck jutting out along the lakeside. The setting sun gently warms the sleeping dog, laying at her masters feet. Somewhere on the lake a duck takes to the air, sending ripples gently across the still surface. All is quiet. I lean forward, sip at the mug of coffee and click send on the screen of the laptop. Done. My first article has been submitted. A moment's pause to reflect on my old life, a tinge of regret, before the elation of realising a dream hits me. I am a writer. I am a creator of words, an artist with prose. OK, maybe that is an exaggeration. I do not presume to have become Truman Capote. But finally, after years of thinking I could do this, I have been paid for my skill in crafting words.

That is what I am hoping for. It is my ideal. Actually it is more imperative than that. I have given up my public sector job to become a freelance writer. If I don't get published I can't pay the rent, or any of those more mundane but essential considerations.

Over the weeks and months that follow, I will keep you up to date with the world of freelance writing. I will pour out my heart about the crushing rejection I will no doubt receive. I will celebrate with elation the day my first article is published. I will shout the house down when I receive my first cheque!

I have no doubt that, like a vast number of blogs, as I write this I am talking only to myself. I hope that in the near future my blog will be read by editors as I pitch article after article to them. I only hope they like what they see. Fingers crossed.