A Writer Without Words??

Some of you know that freelance writing is a new adventure for me. I've secretly been working, and studying, on how to be a better writer. It had always been a "hobby" of mine before, but only recently has my light been lit to really actively pursue it further.

Through my research, I've been learning what I should and should not do. I've learned that the freelance writing community is truly a welcoming community. Every time I ask a question, the other writers are there to help, they offer suggestions, and generally embrace newcomers.

I have grown to truly respect so many of you, and have steadily been following, gathering your tips, and watching you grow. I'm usually pretty quick with a wit, but watch in awe at how much knowledge you all have, and am quietly your sponge.

Then it happened. I was reading Writing the Cyber Highway, the site of my dear blogging buddy Michele L. Tune, and discovered she had bestowed me with this honor...

This is not just any old meme, this is an AWARD!!

Michele blessed me with this award back on January 11, 2008 in I Am Writer, Hear Me Roar! and she said this about me:

And the award goes to... the following five talented people:

1. Grandy, at Functional Schmunctional, who I'm so proud of for deciding to use her colorful talent with words and join the freelancing world.

ME??? The sight of seeing my name there made me tear up, and not in the irritating Sally Field way of "You LIKE me! You REALLY LIKE ME!!" kind of way either. I didn't know what to say. I graciously thanked her and promised I would get back to this.

Since then I have tried to write something about this EVERY DAY!! Should I be witty? Should I be honest? Definitely NOT sarcastic! I've wanted to be able to offer up something profound, and alas, I was speechless. Me, at a loss for words?? Did she mean to do that? Put Grandy in that spot? She didn't name me as a blogger, but as a writer. And you know what? That's what I am!!

I can't tell you how truly honored I am for this little lion.

Now I must comply with the "catch" that goes with this award. There's always a catch but I don't care. The Roar for Powerful Words Award page says I am to list "three things [I] believe are necessary to make writing good and powerful." Here goes nothing...

1. Remember who your readers are. I know it seems like I write about whatever random thoughts are in my blog, but I truly do keep in mind certain readers and what they like. If you're writing to a specific target audience, remember who that audience is. It may sound basic, but if you're writing an article about how to play chess, you might start out with explaining the different pieces and what they do.

2. Mistakes will happen...Learn from them. Holy moly, that fear of making a mistake is what had kept me from submitting for this long. Then some of you professionals out there reminded me that the more we do, the more we have to learn from.

3. HAVE FUN!! One of the coolest things about being a writer is you wouldn't do it if you didn't enjoy it. Why would we? That's how we all got here in the first place. Somewhere, I think that the enjoyment gets lost in deadlines, expectations, and clients. Take a step back and have fun with it.

Now, I'm apparantly supposed to bestow this gift on 5 other writers whose words are also powerful. There are SO many that I follow, this is VERY hard. Remember, to many this is just a meme...to me it's an AWARD! If any of you have already received this award, please forgive me:

Renie Burghard's World - Renie, you are truly an inspiration and I really do want to be like you when I grow up. I love reading your articles...and I LOVE YOUR SPUNK!!

Writer's Round-About - Rebecca Laffar-Smith - This writer has some great honest insight. No mincing words, and I like it!!

Derfwad Manor - Mrs. G. has a cult following like NO OTHER!! She's absolutely amazing in her ability to tell a story.

Momisodes - This lady has a way with words and with pictures. I'm sure I'll see this as one of her TwoFer Tuesdays.

On The Curb - Now I know this lady just had twins, and there is absolutely no rush on this. But I think this lady is amazing in both her writing style and her personality. It would be wrong for me NOT to award her with this.

Thank you to all who inspire me DAILY!!

YOU ROCK!!