When I met my future father-in-law in 1986, he asked me what I “do”. I was unemployed and I didn’t want to say that, so I told him “I’m a writer”.
“Is that right? What have you written that I may have read?” Howard was a very well-read man (who also didn’t like me at first sight because of his prejudice against heavy people. He thought they were lazy. If I told him I didn’t have a job, that would have made it worse!).
I had to admit that I had not been published. In his words: “Then you write, but you’re not a writer”.
But I’ve been writing since I was a small boy. It’s always been a part of who I am.
Years later, when I got paid a whopping $7.00 for my first article on associatedcontent.com (now YahooVoices.com). My wife hugged me and said “Now you are a writer!”
Since that time, I published several articles on that site. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find them; otherwise, I would insert the link to that portfolio.
I became a member of Writing.com in November of 2002. I am a “preferred author” on the site, and at one point I had some 125 pieces in my portfolio and was a member of 12 groups and leader of 4. I have become a much better writer due to the community at writing.com. Reading and carefully and constructively critiquing (I have won awards for my critiquing), as well as receiving from my peers has made me better at my craft. I highly recommend writing.com.
I also have been a member of Faithwriters.com. This is my portfolio there. I haven’t been very active on there in a while. Nor have I done much on writing.com lately.
Next chapter in this story will include how I became a web content writer.
mikemattice 