So you want to be a writer...

In which our heroine attempts to give quality Advice...

A college student who loves writing e-mailed recently to ask for career advice. “I heard you were a writer...” she said. 

As soon as I climbed off the ceiling from the delight of being so recognized, I put together this response. May it be of help to aspiring writers everywhere!

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Thanks so much for reaching out! I've had a life-long passion for writing, and I'm happy to pass on some of what I've learned.

I majored in English at a small private college, taking courses ranging from journalism to creative writing to storytelling to poetry. These helped me bring a strong understanding of the writing and editing process to my work at newspapers over the past decade.

As a journalist and, later, a business entrepreneur, I continued my studies in areas that I wish I'd explored more as an undergraduate: basic business operations and finance, political science, psychology, sociology, history, religion and economics. Learning is a lifelong process, but I've found that having a broad-based understanding of the underpinnings of our society and how people relate to one another is incredibly helpful as a reporter and writer.

Probably the most important advice I can give, however, is to take advantage of as many opportunities as you possibly can for volunteering, internships, travel abroad, networking with highly experienced and successful people from all fields (not just writing!), and on-the-job learning.

Let me know what areas of interest you have around writing and any other specific questions -- I'm always glad to help.

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And that goes for you, too, dear reader!