jessiemac.com

When someone wants to pursue a profession that is perceived as financially unstable and the possibility of success is uncertain, sometimes what makes all the difference between someone who persists and someone who gives up half way is the support system around them.

So you want to a painter, a musician, an actor, a writer – not only do you have to work hard at what you want but you also have to  constantly juggle with doing moderately well at the bit jobs that pay the bills and keep the bailiffs at bay while you’re trying to find the energy and time to do what you really want to do.

As an actress for 6 years now, I know how it feels to pursue something that no one in your family or friends understood. When I started out I knew no one who was actually doing it – acting that is or anyone for that matter who worked in the film industry. For the first few years my parents thought I was having a nervous breakdown until they saw me acting on TV. Then it seemed to click in their minds. It explained the reason why I wasn’t working full-time 9-5 all the time like everyone else. Still they didn’t know what was required and what was involved just to get there. And when I did get into the industry and had actor and director friends who understood my passion at the time, they found it strange that I had started this at the age of 28.

Now I’m going down a new path and again, I feel the same way except now I’m 36. I’m not married; I have no children and keeping a relationship seems as difficult as walking on a tightrope. And it’s not out of choice. I’ve had relationships but I’d rather be alone than be in a marriage for the sake of being in a marriage. That goes for children as well. I love them but I’d rather not have them for the sake of having them. It’s not that I avoid it; I’ve just never had the opportunity; no, that’s wrong; I’ve not found the one for me. At 28, changing direction in life and living like you were a student again was frowned upon for me but at 36 and starting all over again is even worse having to deal with the uncertainty again when at this age in people’s minds you should really know what you’re doing.

I’m not complaining; writing is what I want to do.

But I couldn’t do this without the support of my family, my mother especially. The rest of my family are really great too. I couldn’t ask for more. And in some ways to get published and get that ‘click’ again from those who have supported me would mean so much – as saying that their support was not in vain and that I’m not crazy.

Another supporter from the very beginning is Blackheath Halls (see pic above). I’ve mentioned them before but not in this new blog site. They deserve a whole page to themselves but for now, until I figure out to add an extra page to this blog, it will be a blog post mention. Blackheath Halls is a short walk away from me. One afternoon I walked in and asked to see the manager. When I met LJ, the manager there, I asked if I could use their space to write and she said yes straight away and she only knew my name and my aim to finish two novels I had started in Sri Lanka. Thanks LJ. I’m glad I reached out.

As I reached out again yesterday to some people on Twitter, it made me realize that as a writer, my office environment consists of me in a room and what I would really like is be part of a community of writers, agents, editors and publishers – people who understand what I’m going through. I don’t find it scary to talk to strangers face to face; I’m happy to go to a party on my own and speak to whoever is there. But talking to strangers via the Internet is totally new to me and it will take some time to get used to.

I’m not sure if I’m doing it right. Wish me luck. Please say hello if you’re a writer, agent, editor, publisher, blogger, internet marketer who wants a friend. My email is jessie@jessiemac.com or you can contact me via comments if you prefer. I’d like to connect with like-minded people who are into learning, exploring and supporting. Everyone needs supporters.

[pic of Blackheath Halls from source]

“Laughter is to life what shock absorbers are to automobiles. It won’t take the potholes out of the road, but it sure makes the ride smoother.” Barbara Johnson – Writer

CURRENT STATUS:

What I have done today:

• I contacted a handful of strangers who were following me and I was following on Twitter either via a direct message or a tweet. It was unnerving, worse than talking to a stranger on the street. Usually there’s a reason for talking; can the reason be just because we’re interested in writing and books? I reached out and said hello. It was scary but I’m glad I did it. My bit of excitement for the day. What’s the worse that could happen? They could think I’m crazy and unfollow me. That’s okay; I can only try.
• Going through over 300 blog posts via Google Reader (310 left) and making comments if the post made me think or taught me something. I think I did this a lot today. If I was the writer and someone read my post and found it interesting, I’d like to hear it. That’s why I’m commenting. People should be told when they’re appreciated. I can’t believe I have so many posts to read still.
• I responded to my first 2 comments. For a newby, it’s pretty exciting even though one was from a website full of good-looking scantily-clad women in bikinis and the other one a blogging site. I was excited so answered both comments.
• Created folders in Google Reader so I can prioritize what I’m reading, which helped a lot.

WORD COUNT: 119,000 in total; 25 June wrote 500 words – an Inkygirl badge for me.

THINGS FOR ME TO DO, OTHER THAN WRITE (I have the same notes from the post before if I’ve not done it yet and cross things off once I’ve done it as it’s a reminder to include it in the marketing plan and the red bits are stuff I’ve added in this post):

Straight away I can see things I can do in the next few days that is not totally impossible; I can only try:

• Add to my blog. I don’t have any books out but I could add an ‘about me’ page; a ‘supporters’ page; a ‘guest bloggers’ page inviting guest bloggers to write on my blog or a Q&A session; a guest blogger request on the front page of the blog; a links page and a page about the two books I’m finalizing.
• Contact some authors direct for an interview?
• Participate in writing forums and other blogs.(and Twitter)
  
• Create a marketing plan.
• Add email address to front page