Where I Come From: A Writer’s Journey
Here lately I’ve been a little bit frustrated. I get a lot of traffic on this site, and I’m in the middle of a big revamp-relaunch-rebrand which I’m SUPER excited about. But every now and then, even with all the eyes on this site, I feel sometimes that those in my own community don’t appreciate me and how hard I work to promote this town. This feeling has come about here lately when I write about other communities and those pieces are so well received- and I’m just a visitor.
But apparently, I’m not the only one who feels this way- and apparently I was the cause for someone to feel this way. Today I received a message from someone saying I should better credit those who have helped pave the way for me. I gotta be honest, I was shocked by the way it was said to me, but perhaps I do need to do a better job of this.
So consider this my post to credit and thank all of those who set me on this path and continue to pave the way for me….
My very first (and paid also!) freelance piece was written when I was a sophomore in college. I had just finished a semester at Georgia Southern working on The George-Anne, and was able to use that experience to get to write a piece for then-Telegraph editor Amy Condra about permanent makeup. It would be after I stopped working at Tic Toc Room that I would start writing here and there for Macon Food and Culture Magazine and selling the occasional ads. Make It Work would become my column name, so dubbed by Gary and Carla, after my second fashion column and I made a comment in the piece about mixing metals and “making it work”. Clearly, I was still under the influence of Tim Gunn and Project Runway with his key catch phrase making it in to my vernacular without even thinking. (As an aside- who doesn’t miss The Foodies?!)
Around that same time I started doing food reviews for The 11th Hour– Chris Horne was my editor and I honestly learned a lot from him. Not only then but over the years as well, through the Crossroads Conference and watching him at WMAZ.
I would also have my very first freelanced piece in Macon Magazine at that time, and my second one was published in this last issue.
But it’s not just that long ago that this happened. It was years of working hard and pursuing local publications. When I had my kids I would start with the Telegraph again, anyone remember a short lived Sunday column about goings-on in Macon? (Likely not- it didn’t last long.) And it was at that time that I also wrote for Georgia Family.
The column with Macon Food and Culture would continue on and I would have the chance to style photo shoots and learn how to sell ads. All of these things would even help me prepare for some editorial letters to be published in the paper, and even for when I went back to school at Mercer and had to write formal papers. And while at Mercer I would serve as Local Editor of the Mercer Cluster, which then also opened up the doors for me to learn that I had an interest in photography. Which would lead to a gig at the Cox Capitol Theatre.
Recently there would be columns written for Bourbon and Boots, for Explore Georgia, and for the Knight Foundation. Most recently there’s been a piece in the new New York City e-magazine Bastion & Company. There have been so many people at so many different times who have given me chances to grow and I am thankful for you all.
(If there is anyone I have forgotten- I beg of your forgiveness- I am operating on little sleep.)
Love to all y’all,
Molly
