Tags
bouncing, Copywriting, Creative Writing, excitement, freelancer, Incredible Dateless Wonder, maiden voyage, Melbourne, professional writer, skipping, Success, Tigger, TomKat, Writing
Well, it might be all grey skies in Melbourne right now, and yes, unfortunately we do have TomKat in residence, but regardless, I’ve been wearing a bit of a grin in the last week.
And no, it’s not because I’ve broken my Incredible Dateless Wonder streak (geez, I only wish!!).
BUT… I’m now officially a paid freelancer. My first copywriting gig is in the bag. Done and dusted. I’m so excited!
It was so nerve-wracking, taking that maiden voyage. Sure, it’s only copy and not a novel or anything, but hey – people still either like it or they don’t (read fear of rejection).
Feedback was slow initially, but then I was told ‘the work is good’ by my contact (the one I got the job through). While I’d submitted what I thought would be a first draft with several revisions to come, she tells me they only had minor changes because they really liked it! She then went on to ask me to submit my invoice.
My very first ever invoice as a professional writer. Yippee!
That day, I kinda walked down the street with a bit of a strut. Half not quite believing it, and half doing my best to not skip like a five year old child.
I know, it’s not really a huge deal in the greater scheme of things, but it is for me! Validation in the form of people valuing my writing and paying me for it!!
Then today I got a really nice email from the CEO of the foundation, which went something like this:
…thank you for the work you put in on the wording for our fundraising flyer, it was very much appreciated.
We made a couple of structural changes but in essence kept your wording and the basic flow of what you had put together.
It is now with our creative guys to find a way to structure the flyer so that it flows from page to page and has the desired emotive impact. We will keep you informed as we go along and will ensure we get you a copy of your handiwork when it is finished.
If we need some additional creative writing in future we will be very happy to give you a call…
TEEHEEHEEHEEHEE!!!
So I tweeted my excitement and in reply my contact tweeted “…signing your cheque prompted it!”
Signing my cheque, eh???
Why, thankyouverymuch!!
Which means very shortly I’ll be able to pay my yoga teacher the outstanding course fees I owe, and a few other bills I’ve been putting off.
All courtesy of my creative writing skills.
I can’t quite explain how that makes me feel… it’s rather empowering and really FUN earning money doing something I enjoy. And via my own steam, too.
It’s very exciting that they said they’d use my services again too, and who knows (the fates willing) where things will lead from there?
So I’ve been doing a little bounce or two, and a skip and a dance (when no one’s looking) and wow, just enjoying my self-made moment of success.
As soon as I get a PDF of the finished flyer (artwork being done by a design agency), I’ll post it here.
WHOOHOO!!! 😀
~Svasti
Svasti: A Journey From Assault To Wholeness 
Oh Wow! Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you. Not surprised though You’ve got your foot in the door so just keep going.
@tricia – Thanks so much! Its nice to share my excitement here with you guys and gals. I just hope I remember to do something with that foot in the door there… 😉
Can we say, RESILIENT?? Whoo-hoo! Congrats on embarking upon a new career. We survivors sure can be good at reinventing ourselves when we need to. 🙂
@Michele – Its funny how little bits and pieces of possibility turn up and then its a matter of what you do with that. I mean, when I saw the original message my friend wrote about looking for a copywriter, I almost didn’t reply. Then, when I had to submit some sample writing, once again, I almost didn’t do it. But somehow I made myself keep going! And then, it did take me a while to submit my writing, and I felt like I was dragging my heels/wrestling with that. Realising that I could do it, I found a way. And wow, the result was better than I expected it to be!
Certainly, I have trouble looking at my writing objectively and knowing whether or not its any good. The only way I seem to know how I’m going is by feel, which is generally not the most objective guide, I know.
Its a little mind blowing to be honest, that I’ve done this much. Even if it is just one piece of writing thus far. Thanks so much for the congrats, it really means a lot to me. 🙂
Bravo Svasti!! I say it is indeed a big deal – worthy of celebratory bounces, struts, skips and jumps!! and I’m sure only the beginning of much more to come.
it’s rather empowering and really FUN earning money doing something I enjoy. Amen to that – it is truly THE best, and a just reward to your talents and the courageous authenticity you share of your life. I’m truly happy for your success!
Karin
Hey Svasti!
First off–I LOVE Tigger! I actually played Tigger in a high school production of Winnie the Pooh–and it was such a fun role to play!
Congratulations on your first paid writing job! I am sure you are STELLAR, my dear! I am thinking this will likely also lead to plenty of other jobs for you–and how great will that be?
I will hope to congratulate you soon on breaking that pesky dateless streak. That’s it–I’m off to put some incense (and energy) on my alter for a love for my pal Svasti.
Nice being back here in Svastiland.
Melinda
Svasti,
Congratulation!!! Next to Snoopy, Tigger is my favorite. Do you know why? Because bouncing is what Tiggers do best!!! 🙂
I’ll bounce away for you right into Rabbit’s garden…why is always so serious. I love the way you involved yourself in GSTC.
It is good to be back on a limited basis.
Bouncing off now,
cc
Hi Svasti ~ Just total congratulations on your writing gig. So I hope the smile stays on your face for a long while
You’ve got me smiling:)
xhenry
Congratulations, Svasti! That is awesome! I look forward to seeing your work on display!
– Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)
http://mmaaggnnaa.wordpress.com/
This is HUGE, Svasti! The picture of Tigger is absolutely appropriate for how you should be feeling, and actually is a darned good depiction of how your readers feel about how you’re feeling! What an accomplishment, one you’ll never forget no matter how many more times you are published. And your wonderful yoga teacher gets paid, too, but I bet she was never concerned or worried about that.
Congratulations. 🙂
Hooray, congratulations!!!!! 🙂
~Bri
@Karin – That’s so kind coming from you. I know how hard things have been for you in recent times. Here’s hoping your insurance comes through!!
@Melinda – I love Tigger also. He’s just so joyful, and bouncy and… oh you know! Wow, you really did get to play all the best roles, didn’t you? Shakespeare to Tigger. Wow!
And hey, if your good luck mojo has any impact on my rather long dateless streak, I’ll have to buy you a drink sometime! Or something like that!! 😉
@CC – I’m so glad you’re back. Its wonderful you feel well enough to start posting again. Keep up the getting well, we missed you so much!
@soulMerlin – Thanks Henry! It was pretty exciting, and now I’m just waiting on that check to arrive. Thank goodness…
@mmaaggnnaa – Thanks Marie. I will certainly post it here when I have a copy. 🙂
@Lydia – Yes, when I was trying to think of an image that portrayed how I was feeling… Tigger came to mind straight away. Thanks so much!
@~B~ – Why thank you! 🙂
oooh. I’ve been a bit out of it for a few days and this awesome news happens! Woo hoo!!!
Congratulations you bouncy Tigger (I sometimes get that nickname, too!).
x
A big congrats to ya, Svasti! What a wonderful feeling of accomplishment you’ve got going there. I’m very excited for you and wish you continued success!