Last month I applied for a Phillips Foundation Journalism Fellowship. I was fed up with the 9-5, so I figured I’d take a chance and compete with professionals for a career-making fellowship that would support me while I wrote a book and added credibility to my role as a blogger aspiring to be a full time writer.
I was confident but realistic. When the rejection letter came, it wasn’t a big disappointment. I was a semifinalist, which is some consolation, considering I was up against actual journalists with years of professional experience.
I haven’t had time to dwell on it because for the next two-and-a-half weeks, my schedule is full. This week I’m working on a presentation for the World Journalism Institute conference in Atlanta this weekend. I’ll be speaking to a group of college students and journalists about Christians, journalism and blogging. Most of the other speakers are professional journalists, so I was honored to be invited.
The following weekend I’ll be in Nashville leading a faith-blogging session at BlogNashville, which is modeled after BloggerCon. I’m still thinking about the set-up, but I anticipate that it will be a roundtable discussion. Two days after that, I’m speaking at a blog consulting workshop about…you guessed it: blogging! At the same time, I’m running my editing business. Without advertising I managed to snag a client (who’s keeping me busy). Later this month I’ll work on the web site and start advertising for more clients.
I’m self-employed now. 
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That’s great–thanks for sharing your life with your readers.
Congratulations! We’ll keep praying for you. Thanks for keeping us posted.
YGG!
All that travel and meeting new folks will make you forget all about that ol 9-5! Best of luck to you! I’m not sure that this is the correct place to ask….but I have a prayer request. My lovely wife of 17 years is donating the left lobe of her liver to (Michael) an infant neighbor next Monday 5/2 at Hopkins. Please pray for Michael and Kelly.
Thanks
I’m so pleased for you. We subscribe to World magazine and have found the editorial staff and content to be first-rate. I’m sure that you’ll provide the learners there with more good insights. BRAVO!
Congratulations!
The hardest part about setting up a business is getting started, and you’re on your way already–you go girl!
BTW, have you checked out the Society for Technical Communicators (www.stc.org)? I’m a member (my office pays for it, and you can count it as a business expense) and I highly recommend membership to anyone in technical communication.
I think you have an excellent opportunity especially with the name recognition you are getting from being on MSNBC. Let me know if you need help writing a marketing plan.
Way to go La Shawn!!!
Dave, I’ll be praying for Michael & Kelly. God bless.
LaShawn,
I found a wonderful site with wonderful insights into the career path that you (and I) am seeking.
Terry Whalin:
His blog – http://terrywhalin.blogspot.com/
His site – http://www.right-writing.com/
Unlike most other sites, this guy actually gives so much useful information about the industry for free.
Keep the faith LaShawn. We know YOU can do it. My father was “runner up” to a Rhodes Scholarship and “runner up” for a position on the Olympic Team…but “hung in there” and had a wonderful fullfilling life. …. and ME.
Congratulations! Living a bit of the American dream, huh? What a big step and a huge leap of faith.
LaShawn, I’m absolutely thrilled to hear about your new successes in self-employment. The future is yours. I’m sure God has wonderful things in store for you. And you deserve it.
Working without a net is thrilling, La Shawn! I broke out of the cubicle culture 30 years ago, and I’ve never looked back. Best of luck to you in everything you do.
Well, my “cubicle” is out in the forest and streams.
Nice going La Shawn. Who won the award anyway? Somebody who came from Columbia University? (*whistle*)
As one freelance writer to another, I hope you do well, La Shawn. It’s not easy work, but God’s blessed you in many ways. I know that I would chew off a limb to get the TV exposure that you’ve received.
Laboring in obscurity,
Dan
Cerulean Sanctum blog
It will be interesting to see how this faith based blogging turns out at Blognashville.
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