GUEST BLOGGER--CORTINA WOMACK

Hello, Beachy Readers! My name’s Tina and I’m excited to be your guest blogger. My mission today is to tell you all about everything I’ve learned as a writer and to impart all sorts of wisdom. I didn’t want to mess up this sweet gig, so I’ve waited until it’s too late to admit: I don’t actually know anything. I haven’t taken a class since high school, which ended in 1999. I did NaNoWriMo once… five years ago. I did finish a 50,000 word manuscript, which I never touched again, but it’s in a closet somewhere ready to be fixed and edited and turned into something great.

See, the one thing I’m not short on is optimism. I’ve done a fair bit of research and soul searching on what it means to be a writer and how they define success. I’ve found that the answers to these questions are deeply personal and no two people will necessarily see eye to eye. For me, anyone can call himself an artist (in his given field) if he’s been hired or paid to create and he gets extra points if it’s his main aspirational priority. Success to me is linked to notoriety. So actors, once you cash that $20 check for that local commercial and someone recognizes you on the street… I’ll help you celebrate. To me you’re a successful actor, even though you make your actual living filing medical records. This all may sound way off to you, but I promise, we’re both right.

Only, here’s the thing about fame. It’s made up of three components. They’re talent, hard work and dumb luck. I think that last one is the one to look out for, because public opinion is a very fickle thing. We all know that writer, actor, painter or musician with buckets of talent who’s not willing to put in the work, or just hasn’t had that big break. The big break is another name for dumb luck, believe me. My plan is to put in all the hard work I can, develop my talent and keep my eyes peeled to find (or make) my own dumb luck. If you’d like to check out my efforts, head over to reviewingmyautobiography.blogspot.com and read what I’ve got. Like, comment, subscribe and tell your friends, but first do all of those things here so they’ll invite me back. Thanks a lot. I hope I’ve got you thinking about what these things mean to you. I’d love to read your answers!