A couple of weeks ago I sent a small piece into my local newspaper in response to a call for stories about random acts of kindness. This summer in London, I experienced a monumental act of kindness which I documented in A Brilliant Stroke of Luck and I thought this story might fit what the editors wanted. I did some editing to meet the the 200 word requirement and sent it in, never once thinking it might actually get printed. I held onto that belief until I checked my blog comments on Thanksgiving evening and found out that I was in fact published! For the first time ever, my work and my pen name are in print!!
The editorial page may be small apples, but to me its a small step where I found a bit of success as a writer. After all, little victories sometimes lead to bigger victories, right? As I put the finishing touches on my query letter and continue the arduous task of writing a synopsis, this is certainly a nice little boost right when I need one.
It appeared in both the print edition and online! When I got the news, my husband and step-dad were out doing some early Black Friday shopping and they were nice enough to stop at a store and pick up a newspaper. A couple of friends saved some copies as well, which means I can do some fun things with my first publication (i.e. keep a whole copy, frame one, paste one into one of my spirals for inspiration, etc).
Special thanks to my writer’s group for giving me the heads up on two fronts. I am so grateful to Cindi of Loving Arizona Living for bringing it to my attention that the newspaper was looking for stories and to Susanne of That’s Not My Table for letting me know it was published. Thank you!
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Note: My tiny break is officially over. New posts will start appearing as they did before with three or four a week. Thanks for your patience!
c.b. 2011
That’s so exciting! Congratulations!
Thank you!
Oh, CBW, this is so wonderful! The best kind of feast–for Thanksgiving or any time. Congratulations!!!
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Thanks!
It was such a nice way to end Thanksgiving. As my friend put it I had to add a 23rd moment of gratitude to my list!
That’s wonderful … both that you got your camera back, which was almost unbelievable, and that you got published! Congratulations
Thank you!
Every time I pull out that camera, it makes me wonder who was so kind to return it. I hope their act of kindness comes back to them tenfold.
Congratulations!!! Victories, no matter how small or large, are still victories! And most importantly, they make you feel good inside. May this be the first of many for you!!!
Thank you!
It’s been a few days and I’m still feeling pretty good. It was a such a nice surprise that will hopefully continue to inspire me to keep trying.
I know! I saw it in the paper yesterday and I was so excited! I said to my husband and son—Hey! This is one of the blogs I follow. I was so happy they printed your letter!!
How cool is that?!
I love instances where the world feels a little bit smaller.
Thanks so much for reading!
Congratulations! Way to go!
… Have you had cake and celebrated yet?
Thanks!
We celebrated with left-over pumpkin pie!
Congrats on being officially published! That is a great honor. Keep up the good work!
Thanks!
It’s funny that it happened while I was taking a “tiny break.” Today I was very, very ready to start writing again. Motivation is coming at me from everywhere, including my muse!
Thanks for reading!
Woohoo!!!
Every bit we have published is a step toward a larger goal. I’m thrilled for you. In the beginning these small rewards is what keeps us writing. I started out by sending work to small literary magazines. What a wonderful Thanksgiving gift for you.
Thanks!
Right when I sent this into the newspaper, I sent a couple stories in to literary magazines. It feels good to get some of my work out there, no matter how small. I’m at the point where I want people to read what I write and that’s a great feeling after such a long time of being too afraid to let anyone see it.
I am doing a happy dance for you! My first published piece was a letter to the editor about global warming and powerpoint. This is absolutely wonderful.
That sounds like an interesting piece!
Thanks for the happy dance! I hope my next steps are much like yours . . . publication of a couple short stories (I’m still so happy for you!).
Congratulations!
You so deserve this notice and so much more. What a way to end the year!
Thank you!
I’m so excited to cross off “submit three pieces of writing” off my 2010 New Year’s Resolutions and make the notation that one of them got published! Yay!
Great News! It is a boost to confidence and another step on the journey.
It makes me excited to take another step. And maybe without as much apprehension or doubt.
How lovely for you! Encouragement to continue on your journey towards being a published author. Love it.
Seeing my pen name in print is an amazing source of encouragement – I had no idea how incredible it would be to see it!
I saw it, I saw it, I SAW IT! I saved a copy too! Yay!
Yay! Isn’t it cool!?
Any victory, large or small, is just that… a victory. Congratulations and sincere appreciation for a job well done!!
Thank you!
I’m going to frame it the way a new business frames their first dollar bill and hang it on my wall. It’ll be a good reminder that anything is possible if I try.
This is only the beginning for you!! I will keep my copy for our WIG book and am so happy to be a part of your first publication, though with the writings on your blog, I’d say you are a many times over published writer. I love to read your writing though I can’t keep up with your blogs, you amaze me. Keep submitting and you REALLY SHOULD send an article to the Republic about your trip to London. They publish them every week and you’ve certainly got what it takes!
I’ve got two more pieces submitted elsewhere (as per the goals I set last year in WIG). I’ll definitely think about writing something about London, but the trick is deciding where to begin. That trip was so massive and I’m still trying to figure out the impact it had on me.
Thanks for all the encouragement!
Congratulations…what a heart-warming story, Robin
Thanks!
Congrats! Great seeing your name in print!!!
Thank you!
Super cool! Well on your way to getting your name out into the world! Must be a nice shot of exhilaration – go you!
There’s nothing like a little victory to boost my muse’s voice. She’s quite chatty as of late . . . I can’t wait to see what we come up with!
How exciting!! I got all giddy inside for you as I was reading this!! Congrats!
Thank you!
Today its my goal to find a cute little frame for it that will look nice on my writing desk.