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Friday 18 March 2016

Columnist Extraodinaire!



A few weeks ago I saw an brilliant job opportunity to work at a local magazine. The job was a work from home one too with weekly meetings at the magazines head office and not bad wages. It was my dream! It was perfect! It was everything I wanted! Unfortunately they wouldn't even consider me for the job because I didn't have enough proven experience. Apparently writing your own blogs, taking part in writing projects, co-writing a book for charity and organising blog tours and being a professional multi-tasker and Olympic sport busy person just weren't seen as useful skills for a magazine. I needed to expand my C.V if I was ever to be in with any chance to be taken seriously.
 ©Loveahapppyending

As many of you know, I am a Book Shelf Reviewer for Loveahappyending Lifestyle Magazine #LLm which is an amazing free online lifestyle magazine. This magazine is simply bursting with fantastic features with something to suit everyone.  Its becoming increasingly popular with a huge readership and I suggest you go check it out. Well, I am thrilled to share some wonderful news with you all. I am also to be one of their columnists. My fellow columnists are amazing authors and wonderfully warm and lovely people and the welcome and support in the new role has been amazing. A very special thank you must go particularly to Linn B Halton who is the managing editor of the magazine and probably someone who is even busier than I am! She is such an inspiration to me and great friend. Linn always offers me wonderful words of wisdom and is a constant support.

My column, called Home Help will focus on parenting, work, special needs and family issues. I have a wealth of knowledge around such things. Working with vulnerable families for a number of years I have quite a varied skills base and lots of experience to call upon. Plus, I am a working parent and carer too so I understand some of the difficulties faced by parents today. Let's face it guys. Its not easy! I am hoping my posts not only offer advice and guidance but also find a little bit of humour along the way too. Life is too short to constantly complain. We need to find some positives through the difficult times. Hopefully someone will find some of the advice I give useful. Or, if the column even makes one person smile then I'll have done my job. If anyone would like me to write about a particular subject please feel free to post ideas in the comments section at the bottom of this post.

The whole experience of trying to land the job at the local magazine I mentioned earlier really made me realise that I do need to get more of my writing out into the big bad world and I am grateful to Linn B Halton for giving me the opportunity. I enjoy writing and just want to share what I do. I don't think I'll ever make a fortune out of it but would like to eventually freelance as a full time publicist, book promoter, writer and possibly offer a P.A service to authors. I'm toying with a lot of ideas and my days just seem to get busier and busier. And, while completely exhausting, I am so enjoying all of these new challenges.

THE HEADER FROM THE COLUMNISTS PAGE!
 ©Loveahapppyending
So guys, any tips or guidance on getting freelance paid writing gigs would be very appreciated. I understand this is an on-going learning process but I do have a real desire to learn. If I am to eventually give up full time work and become self employed I am pretty sure that my family do not want to live on beans and toast ....... forever! Its all quite a scary prospect and for each day I have to drag myself into the office and do a job that is sending my brain into a coma, I spend most of that day dreaming about doing a job that I really love. But, at least I am taking baby steps into reaching my goals. Thankfully I have lots of wonderful friends to hold my hand through the scary times. Don't leave me!

MY BIO AS IT APPEARS IN THE MAGAZINE!

©Loveahappyending
In other news.............. I've been featured over at Celtic Connexions blog. Its always so funny to see myself as a guest on other people's blogs. It makes me go all tingly with excitement. Check out the post HERE.

I am also featured on Lozza's Book Corner! I feel positively famous! lol

9 comments:

  1. It all builds up, slowly, Debbie. seems to me you're on your way. Good luck.jx

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  2. Great news Debs and whoever didn't think you didn't have enough proven experience, well it's their loss! Good luck as LLM columnist...xx

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  3. Great news Debs and whoever didn't think you didn't have enough proven experience, well it's their loss! Good luck as LLM columnist...xx

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  4. Their loss is our gain at LLm and I'm so excited you are on the LLm team, Debs! I can't wait to read your column. You have helped so many writers to become stars, on your blog and with your book promotions, but that's because you are an absolute star yourself. Without doubt your dream job is out there and waiting for you. So to call you out out on your own comment - don't leave us! xxx

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  5. Fantastic news, congratulations! I will look out for your column, sounds great xx

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  6. I've never know anyone with a greater enthusiasm for writing and all things relating to. You are a total inspiration, Debbie. Go you! xx

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  7. Great news that you have a column - and I agree with Jo - whoever thought you didn't have enough experience for the job - well, it's their loss! Really enjoyed this

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  8. Great to have you with us Debbie. I think I shall be passing on some of your tips to my 'children' - parenthood is not easy these days with many Mums almost forced to work full time as well.
    The experience of writing for LLm magazine certainly helped me to become a columnist for Surrey Life magazine. Good luck and welcome!!

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  9. wow guys thank you so much for all your amazing comments. I really appreciate all your support. XXXX

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