When I was a freshman in high school, I had this English teacher who pushes us…well, maybe just the students she thought had a talent for writing. I despised the teacher because I was one of the chosen ones she felt had talent.

She pushed me. She gave the word revise an entirely new meaning. Revise, revise, and revise.

I can’t count the number of times she made me redo papers.

I despised her.

Now I wish I could see her. I would tell her thank you for pushing me.

Because of her I realized, too late, my love for writing and sharing. I decided sometime throughout my sophomore year that I wanted to be a writer. But being a teenager with an attitude, I wasn’t about to tell her then. That would’ve destroyed my reputation for not liking her.

I would sit in my bedroom for hours writing thoughts, poems and skits. I would incorporate people and friends I knew into the story. I was always doodling.

I became a permanent fixture in the public library. I hung out there on Saturdays when I didn’t have to work. I was on a first name basis with the librarians. I constantly searched for writing tips and ideas and publishers.

I actually thought if I wrote something and sent it out…I’d get published at the snap of a finger. Go figure.

My first real taste of publishing success came in my early adult years when I became a stringer (freelance writer) for a small local newspaper. When I saw my name in print I was hooked. Plus I was being paid for this. Double bonus.

I did this for about a year then stopped.

I had personal problems at home and my heart wasn’t in it anymore. I had more important issues to deal with.

A few years later I saw another classified ad for a freelance writer. I answered and have been there ever since. I am now a full-fledged staff writer with many published freelance articles under my belt. While my goal is to get a book published I continue the never-ending trials and tribulations of getting a variety of articles published in print or online.

Determination and persistence do pay off.