I still remember the very first time I saw my name "in print."
It was over 10 years ago. It was an article
for my university's magazine, which came out weekly. I don't remember what the article was about, or which issue it was in, or any of those details. But I remember how it felt.
I picked up a copy of the magazine, hurriedly flipped to the page with my article, and stared in amazement at the
title followed by those three magic words:
"By Alexandra Franzen."
And I cried. Yes, I literally got teary-eyed right there in the
uni cafeteria. Because that was the first moment that I felt like a "real writer."
I tore that page out of the magazine and carried it around in my wallet for a long time. That little scrap of paper meant so much to me. Because it's a pretty amazing feeling when you realize: "I
wrote something. And now people—actual, living people—are reading those words. Maybe those words will make them feel inspired, feel happier, or feel less alone. Maybe those words will change their day."
To this day, I still feel thrilled whenever my work gets printed, published, quoted,
mentioned, or put out into the world in any form—whether it's inside a book, on my own website, in this newsletter, or a piece that's featured on The Huffington Post, Newsweek, Time, Lifehacker, or some other platform. It's a beautiful feeling. Every time.
And here's some really good news:
If you'd like to get published too, it's not as hard as you might think.
And if you're already thinking, "Oh well, 'other people' can get their writing published, but not me, because I'm not particularly talented, and I'm just a dumb-dumb sitting here in my stained
yoga pants. Nobody cares what I think..."
That is simply not true.
You've got stories. You've lived. You've learned. You've
survived adversity. You've got skills and expertise. You are smart. You've got a big heart and great tips and ideas to share. Why shouldn't a piece of your work get published? Why not you?
Consider this: there are over 7,000 magazines in circulation, over 18,000 newspapers in the world, and over 150 million
blogs, with new ones being created every single day. In other words, there are millions of media platforms that are hungry for new voices, new contributors, new columnists, new pieces of content. Many of them need new content every single day. Why not something you've written? Why not this year? Really, why not you?
If getting published is something you want, please go for it. This is not an unrealistic fantasy. Having your own baby dragon, or having a 1-on-1 date with Kit Harington from Game of Thrones, OK, maybe that is an unrealistic fantasy. But getting published? That's not.
Your dream is doable.
I believe in you. I hope you believe in you, too.
-Alex
PPS. Does it feel like your brain is so crammed... so packed... and so stressed right now? Does your heart feel like this? You are so not alone. And... I think you'll enjoy my next newsletter, which will come to you in a few days. I have some words of comfort to share with you, along with a few tips on how to de-stress when your life / workload just feels like... too much. <3
PPPS. I've been listening to this mellow playlist all week long. Perfect background music for thinking, working, writing... so, so good.
