Mission accomplished

Dec 5th, 2005 by Accidental Thinker

Anyone who was reading me way back when may remember this post from several months ago wherein I first publicly declared my intention to get professionally published, as well as several posts along the way chronicling my progress. As of today, that mission is now officially accomplished and is something I can forever cross off the list of things to do before I die.

My article, titled "The Design Document: Your Blueprint for e-Learning Standards and Consistency," was published in today’s electronic issue of Learning Solutions e-Magazine (formerly known as The eLearning Developers’ Journal). So much for my prediction about when I’d be gloating over this topic, due to a few date changes from December 12 to November 28 to, finally, TODAY!

I’m even getting paid a paltry (very paltry) stipend for my efforts, which works out to the staggering amount of just over two cents per word. At that rate, you’ve definitely gotta do it because you love it and crave the recognition of seeing your name in print, not because you are going to get filthy rich. I’ll be donating the fee to a worthy cause.

Hopefully this is just the first of many writing credits to my name. I’m not sure why this is such a big deal for me because it’s far from the first thing I’ve written. I do a lot of technical writing in my profession, and this article isn’t all that different. But it means a lot to me that I have finally written something, however small, that will forever be associated with me instead of my employer. Even if it is still related to my job. The difference is that I did it on my time, because I wanted to, not because I had to. It’s partly about making a commitment and following through; something I’ve not always been very good at doing. And it’s partly about sharing my knowledge and being recognized as a contributor to my field. And it’s very much about receiving a compliment from a professional editor that my article is one of the best-written he’s received lately. That means a lot because it’s the first time something I’ve written has been reviewed by an editor of any type. At work, I am the editor. It’s also the first writing I’ve ever been paid for, outside the training materials I have produced as required in the scope of my regular job. My blog, which is all about writing on a regular basis and sharpening my skills, seems like the logical place to succumb to vanity and pride, and give myself a little pat on the back for my accomplishment. It’s a personal milestone, and now I have the writing bug in a big way.

It’s good to have goals, and now that I’ve achieved this one, I have to examine my various writing ambitions and decide what to tackle next. In the meantime, I’ll keep blogging away. Have to keep my loyal readers happy, you know.

Posted in Writing |

13 Responses to “Mission accomplished”

on 05 Dec 2005 at 5:58 pm1Mike (exscientia)

Hey, I’m the first to congratulate you! ^5!!!
on 05 Dec 2005 at 7:05 pm2Paul N.

“La-dees and Gentlemen! May I direct your attention to the Center Ring and the gifted, the talented, the amazing Accidental Thinker…no…wrrriiiter!

[Bright lights. Roar of the crowd!]

Congratulations! Good for you. Keep after it!
on 05 Dec 2005 at 8:23 pm3bornfool

Congratulations! Just the first of many, I’m sure. It’s always good to mark something off of that list. 🙂
on 05 Dec 2005 at 9:08 pm4Ivy

Way to go! Oooh I hope some of it rubs off on me! 🙂
on 05 Dec 2005 at 9:58 pm5bulletbow

BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! Author! Author! Author! Please take a bow! You deserve it Monique! ~ jb///
on 06 Dec 2005 at 1:15 am6Jamie Dawn

Wonderful! Congrats!
on 06 Dec 2005 at 8:47 am7Karen

Wow!!! Congratulations. You’re well on your way. 😀 Wooohooo!
on 06 Dec 2005 at 10:34 am8FTS

Attagirl!

Can I have your autograph? 😉
on 06 Dec 2005 at 1:01 pm9Lois Lane

Congratulations! The first is always the most exciting. I’m proud of you!
Lois Lane
on 06 Dec 2005 at 4:22 pm10Meg

Congrats! Any publish is a good publish!
on 06 Dec 2005 at 5:33 pm11jona

That is a real achievement! Congratulations, and may this just be the beginning :o)
on 06 Dec 2005 at 8:10 pm12tanlucypez

Yea! Good for you!

And we knew you when…
on 07 Dec 2005 at 8:15 am13Penny

Congratulations! You deserve many pats on the back for sticking in there and not giving up!