By Nikki Phipps
Nearly everyone has a dream job, work that somehow transforms your life or gives new meaning to it. Mine is writing. To some it may not be the greatest of careers, but to me, it’s like nothing else. I love to write. I love grammar, spelling, and English. Putting pen to paper and giving thoughts new life can be a satisfying experience, especially when it helps others.
I could have been anything. For years, my job was that of wife and mother. As time went on, I fell into retail—hated it. I’ve always wanted to help people but working in the retail industry seemed to create more stress for me than the long hours and low pay were really worth. However, when I began working at a plant nursery, my views on low pay changed dramatically. I enjoyed what I was doing. There was no stress, no long hours, and no holiday mayhem to deal with. Working with plants was actually quite relaxing, and I still had plenty of time to spend with my kids since they were allowed to come with me.
And then I got divorced and moved out of the area. I went back to retail, working five to six days a week, eight or more hours a day. I seldom had any free time. When I got home, there were kids to feed, homework to complete, baths to take, laundry to start, and so forth. I was exhausted all the time and paid very little for my efforts, living paycheck to paycheck. Soon afterward, everyone was laid off—our store had closed along with many others. That experience changed my life, leading me down the path that jump-started my writing career.
Going back to retail was certainly out of the question, too much uncertainty, too much chaos. So I went back to school instead, earning a degree in Office Systems Technology. This is when I found my calling. I had written before, but only for personal satisfaction, never imagining that someone would ever read it. There was always the fear of rejection lingering in the back of my mind. This fear was realized in my Expository English class through instructor comments and peer reviews. Criticism, good or bad, is a normal part of the writing process. If you can’t take it, don’t write.
It took me some time before I began to grasp this concept. After numerous rejections, I was determined to find someone that liked my writing style. Determination and flexibility has been the key to my writing success. If you enjoy writing and have something to say, do so. Ignore the rejections, but pay attention to why. You can actually learn from this, improving your writing along the way. I have been a freelance writer for a while now, working from the comfort of my home, and still holding the title of Mom. The pay is decent, although sometimes you have to wait awhile to be paid and submissions can take weeks (or months) before you hear anything, but the work is steady. There’s always somebody needing something written. I have a flexible schedule, allowing me time with my children, and the ability to help others by sharing my experiences, all while earning a living. What could be better than that?