Yes, this is my first blog post in two years — but I have good reasons for that!
Where to start?
First and most important of all, I married the love of my life last year. I’m over the moon in love with my wife. Every day I’m learning the joy of a true partnership, and what it means to go through life together with the woman I love. Running errands, grocery shopping, dentist appointments, moves — doing all those big and little things together is just amazing. Not to mention enduring a global pandemic with my soulmate who’s just as silly as myself has made all the difference. I love you Jenny 💘
The last two years have also been busy as heck. I’m now in my third year as Arts, Culture, and Community Editor at South Seattle Emerald, and in my second with Seattle Restaurant Week where I develop social media content and write press releases, branded articles, and blogs. I completed a Certificate in Editing from the University of Washington, and continued to write articles of my own. I’ve been taking on book-length editing projects, something I‘m really excited about.
I also crossed over into the sixth year of my full-time, self-employed freelance career, and had the most financially sustainable year to date. I’m indebted to the kindness of editors and writers in the Seattle area, and nationally, who have believed in me and advocated for my success. And I’m proud of my own dogged determination and persistence.
Imposter syndrome has been both cruel and very beneficial to me. In the first few years of this work, I embraced the low-paying articles, late nights, and weekend work. Not very sustainable in the long-term. I lost count of how many times I burned out. “Just do the very best you can every day,” I kept telling myself.
I feel that imposter syndrome much less these days, having proven myself (to myself really) that I am worthy and capable of long-term success as I define it in this industry. I put in the overtime, the learning, the continuing education.
Coming up for air after an intense two years, I finally have a chance to take a look around and assess.
I’m bending my arc towards book editing, maybe a little teaching and book coaching, as well as more writing — and working on another book of my own 😎
Thanks for following along with my sporadic blogging, and if you have a tip or pitch for me, a newsy story you think I should write, or a memoir or manuscript you want edited, don’t hesitate to reach out.
As always, thanks for reading!