I've
learned three truths in my careers:
1.
Writing is best learned by writing a lot, and I mean a lot:
five stories a day for four years, with the added need for
a strong and direct editor. My first story as a journalist
was balled up into a missle and thrown back at me by a certain
assistant city editor in Savannah, GA. (She went on to work
for the AP.) Had a lasting impact on my ability to accept
criticism (short of physical violence, it's cool).
2.
Whatever you think you will be when you "grow up."
you probably won't be. I've been a journalist, publisher,
copywriter, webist, and educator. My real ambition, however,
it to run a Mail Boxes Etc. in Cannon Beach, where the most
stressful question for each day will be "Peanuts or
bubble wrap?"
3.
Keep your friends close and your enemies in a different
area code, mentally or physically. Life's too short as it
is.
