My local newspaper has a weekly column called “Prairie Talk.” I would eagerly look forward to reading it each Tuesday and often wondered how to become a writer for the column.
I finally worked up enough nerve to send an essay I had written on being a grandmother to the editor of the page. I didn’t hear anything, so I thought, “Oh well, at least I tried.”
Imagine my complete surprise when about a month later, I opened the paper to read the column and it was mine! I was so excited, I had been asked for a face shot in case they decided to use the article. What a thrill to see my face above a column I wrote with my very own byline! I lived on that high for many days.
I was getting ready to send in another one, but was unsure of how often they wanted someone to submit. I went to the mailbox and there was something in there I didn’t recognize. I thought it was a bill, or maybe one of those “send this check back in” scams. I opened it per the instructions and lo and behold, it was a check for $20! I was so amazed and excited. I think I called or e-mailed everyone I knew about that first check. It has spurred me on to contribute regularly to this column, and so far, everything I have submitted has been printed. I write one, send it in, wait for the check, and send another one.
Also imagine my surprise one day when a woman I had just met said, “My God, you’re the woman in the newspaper!” I was tickled to be noticed and remembered.
Writing was now something I was hooked on. I’ve been working on my craft and am happy to announce the publication of my first novel. It will be sent to me within the next two weeks. It’s been a year in the process, but well worth it.
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