Networking

by elusiveunderstanding5

I found my skill and it is writing. However, I had no idea what to do after the fact. There are a lot of people that can write in this world and the internet has essentially created a subculture of “writers” through blogs, social media, and various other outlets. I thought it was idealistic of me to think that someone would see something I wrote and think so highly of it that it would distinguish my work from all of the others. However, I realized the old saying, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know is appropriate in this context.

The analogy I’ll use in this case is related to basketball, of course. In my opinion, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. Granted, I am nowhere near that level of writing, so I am not suggesting that in any manner. However, with that being said, I know there are a lot of great basketball players out there who, for whatever reason, didn’t get the shot or opportunity to play in the NBA whether it be through family issues, personal demons, or other miscellaneous reasons. Using that same logic, there are a lot of good writers out there who never get that look or opportunity because they wait for the magical moment. I am, or better yet, I like to think, was one of those people. I thought I had found my skill and the energy of the universe would figure out the algorithm which would allow me to write and make a suitable income.

I used to write papers for people, edit papers, and just dabble a little bit here and there. But there was a long period in which I didn’t write anything because I was worried what people would think or I thought I was tooting my own horn. I thought people were simply being kind and saying the stuff I wrote is not that bad. I didn’t have the same confidence or belief in my work that some family and friends did. I thought it was a pipe dream at best that I could actually write and make a living off of it. However, my mindset is slowly, but surely, evolving in this regard. I have been writing a lot more lately and it has been somewhat therapeutic. My mindset is not fully where it needs to be but I have been working on it and have made a conscious effort to keep writing. I have sent some of my work to good friends of mine and they have agreed to email it and share with other people. The more eyes I get on it, the better my chances will be. All I know now is that I have to try, I have to do this for myself. I can’t be anyone else and I can’t fit the mold my parents or anyone else has in mind for me. I am who I am, and despite my faults, this could be my ticket to a brighter future. It may be idealistic rambling or it may be the start to something beautiful, only time will tell.