A lot can change in just a few years; maybe you or your friends are starting careers, getting engaged and maybe even bringing children into the world.
About two years ago, I had this idea that I would force myself to start writing for fun, whether it would be opinions on blogs or actually starting that book idea I have had trapped in my brain.
Like any other person who scrolls through their social media timelines, I came upon an article that some friend-of-a-friend had shared and quickly skimmed the content. I was curious about how I could find a position as a contributor, and, more importantly, if my words would be worth anyone else’s time to read.
I filled out a quick application through Odyssey — a popular site for teams of young writers (mostly college students) — and just a day later I received an e-mail and phone call from an EIC (Editor In Chief) who was just starting her own community on Odyssey.
Honestly, I had this idea that Odyssey, and other platforms similar to it, were exclusively used by younger adults in college. I had already been out of school for a couple of years, so I assumed I would be too old to join this community.
I think the nervous side of my brain tried to take over and convince me not to join Odyssey because it would be slightly terrifying.
I can say with confidence — which is something I lacked a lot of when I first began this literary journey — that jumping straight into writing and sharing my articles to the general public would not have been possible without Odyssey, the many mentors, my EIC and the entire team of writers.
I went from not knowing what to even write about, to learning proper sharing tactics, editing positions and just the all-around feel of a journalist with weekly writing commitments.
My worries and fears actually subsided pretty soon into joining the Aspiring Journalism Professionals (A.J.P.) team because I was gaining positive feedback and great guidance from my EIC — who is one of the most driven, hard-working women I had ever had the pleasure to work with.
I had this idea that Odyssey was only for one kind of audience, but A.J.P.’s fearless leader did not just start a writing community of over 50 contributors, but she also turned our team into something more than another university-based community.
The team ranged from high school aged writers to those of us that had graduated college and were trying to “find ourselves” in the professional world.
Working with these contributors made me realize my own potential and taught me that no matter what point we are in our lives, a single idea can bring together such an oddly perfect assortment of individuals who are all just as nervous and unsure as I was about publicly showing peers and strangers what was inside our heads.
As I look back at my time with Odyssey, on this team, I am happy to have learned from such dedicated individuals, and I cannot help but think that I owe equal credit to my mentors on this team for teaching me, pushing me and inspiring me to continue writing, to take chances and how to use “Header 2” in its correct form.
Thank you to my EIC, A.J.P., Odyssey and those of you who have given my words a chance.
