How do I become you in 5-10 years?

Hello all! Have you ever met someone and instantly knew that they are living a life you aspire to? Well I did this weekend, and believe it or not I did blatantly ask this person, "How do I become you in 5-10... but hopefully closer to 5... years?"

I snuck this selfie with my very-offical-looking badge from this Saturday's Self Employment in the Arts (SEA) Conference, where I represented the Chicago Artist Resource (CAR) as their new Web Intern.

Originally this conference was supposed to be an opportunity for me to talk to young people about CAR, and all the ways it is useful. However, I also was encouraged to sit in on a few sessions including one where I met the extremely talented Madeleine Roux, author of the New York Times bestselling book Asylum (which is now at the very top of my reading list).

She spoke about the ways emerging writers can utilize social media to garner interest in their writing and even acquire an agent! She also compared and contrasted the pro's and con's of self-publishing verses traditional publishing. I will spare you all the details of her discussion (although if you are interested feel free to contact me).

The best part of the discussion came afterwards when she hung around to answer questions. I strategically placed myself at the back of the line, because most were satisfied to just shake her hand and thank her, but not I. She seemed open and excited to help out emerging writers so I plucked up my courage and blurted out my question (the question from the title of this post). She was thrilled that I asked and gave me the most simple, yet powerful, advice, "Never stop writing." 

She expanded, "The very first thing you need is an abundance of content that you are ready to show off. If you have a novel already, then start writing the sequel. Just never stop writing and reading!" She recommended starting with Stephan King's On Writing, which is also now at the top of my reading list. She then encouraged me to follow her on twitter and continue our conversation, which as a social media enthusiast I am more than happy to do. I couldn't believe how easy it was to make a connection with such an accomplished writer.

The point is... in just the first week of my internship and my time here at the ACM program, I have already received affirmation that I am exactly where I am supposed to be in order to follow my dreams. One goal in coming to Chicago was to get a head start on my writing career and I have already been surprised at all the opportunity there is to get involved in the writing community.

Moral of the story: Don't be afraid to blurt out the question that you are dying to ask.

[For more on Madeleine Roux check out her blog http://www.madeleine-roux.com/blog/ or find her on twitter at @authoroux]