A Full Time Job

Let me tell you something...finding a job is a full time job and my husband is working it. 

He didn't even take Christmas Eve off, for crying out loud. Get this...one of his contacts left a voice message (the day before Christmas, mind you) with a number where she could be reached over the holidays if he had any questions. "Let me get this straight," I wondered out loud, "you can call and ask her any question? Well, then, I double-dog dare you to call her in the Bahamas on Christmas day and ask her at what temperature you should cook the turkey." He didn't accept my challenge (nor did he think it was funny) and that is precisely why he will most likely land a job before moi. 

Yes, folks, I am looking for a job. I've decided I want to write for magazines when I grow up. I haven't ruled out writing a book on my husband's job search. But while he in on a mission to find his dream job, I will be on a mission to find mine. And I'll take plenty of notes along the way so that eventually, when we are living happily ever after, I can write that book.

In the meantime, I want to freelance. It has a ring to it, doesn't it? "What do you do for a living, Laurie?" "Oh, me? I'm a freelancer." Wait a minute, technically am I a freelancer or a freelance writer? Freelancer kind of sounds like freeloader. Hmm. I'll have to look into that, as well as a few other things. Like, for starters, how do I go about becoming a freelancer/freelance writer? I've got my work cut out for me.

I spent the entire day yesterday and most of this morning researching and taking notes. I read about freelancing on the internet. I compiled a list of magazines to submit my work. And I worked on, well, my work. So now I have to decide how to market myself to magazines and then begin the process of sending out tens of thousands of letters so that I can get rejected by most and hopefully gain the attention of one or two. 

I really think that the unemployment angle is the way to go. I've been amazed and overwhelmed by the number of people who read my blog and send e-mails telling me how much they enjoy it. I think my adopted hometown newspaper, The Charlotte Observer, should pick me up as a columnist. I can offer a light-hearted, first hand account of what many of the Observer's readers are experiencing or are about to experience: being laid off. It is going to get a lot worse around here before it gets better (which means, Charlotte Observer, that my reader base will continue to grow...$$$$). For every person that is laid off, there is a family that feels its effect. And I am your gal to write about how these families survive the recession and job loss with humor and grace (well, maybe not so much grace). 

But, apparently the Charlotte Observer has no room in the inn for me and my insights. Personally, I think that they are missing the boat (and when I become a famous syndicated columnist I will try not to hold a grudge, but I am not making any promises). So now I have to decide which magazines to target. Where is the best fit for me and my prose? I'm assuming Reader's Digest might be a tough nut to crack. O Magazine might consider me until they check out my blog post on February 18th of last year. I don't think I have the street cred for the likes of Vanity Fair. But what about Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, More, Redbook...do you think they'd hire me?

Talk to me...suggest a magazine. And for the love of god, if you have a contact...send 'em my way!