Hi, my name is SparklySue!

SparklySue

Thank you for accepting me into your community. I have fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis amongst other things. It's good to be here. 

L_Volunteer

Hi @SparklySue

No, thank you for accepting us enough to want to be a part of our community. It is great to have you here with us. How are you today? Would you like to tell us more about your motivations for joining Scope's forum and your interests? It would be great to get to know you 

SparklySue

Hi again, I found this site quite by accident.  I'm only coming to terms with my diagnosis of fibromyalgia, a year on.  I'm finding ways to manage it in a way that I can have some sort of a life.  I used to be a social butterfly and find it very difficult not to have the energy for that, quite apart from the pain involved.  However, I have learned to count my blessings and live in gratitude. Having tremendous support from family and friends is a great help but there is nothing quite like talking to people in a similar position.  I love creative writing and I'd like to think at some point I could make some money out of it but my lack of concentration, not where the creating is concerned, but regarding the admin side of it, like building a website and publishing on Amazon are huge blocks to me.  I get overwhelmed easily and have recognised that I suffer from anxiety, more so since the pandemic, but it's always been there, I just didn't admit it to myself. 

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community from me too 

Do join in I look forward to seeing you around 

L_Volunteer

Hi @SparklySue

Thanks for your response. It is great to hear you have such comprehensive insight into who you are. That is always a very useful starting point! From there, it is just about trying to work out what might help you based on the barriers and difficulties you are currently experiencing. For example, are there low-energy socialising tasks you could participate in that you would find more manageable? For instance, I find a shared activity is good because you can talk less. Either that or a cup of tea and chat for me but long walks would be fatiguing! Similar to your publication work, could you co-publish to delegate the admin tasks or get a publisher to work on the admin side of things? I think it is really good that you are able to recognise where you are currently in terms of health. Keep going and I will look forward to hearing from you again soon 

SparklySue

Hi L_Volunteer, yes I do have coffee and a chat with friends or the occasional lunch out, which is hugely stimulating.  I am at my best when I am socialising.  Regarding publishing, nfortunately, unless an agent thinks your work is worthy of taking a chance on as,a new author, publishing involves a lot of money which I just don't have. I've only sent it to two agents, so need to get back on that.  It's not easy, each agent needs a separate covering letter and you have to really study what they are looking for in that letter and from your work.  Again, it's just a matter of concentration which pre-fibro and pandemic wouldn't have been an issue at all. Delegating the admin tasks isn't an option unfortunately but I'll get there.  I'm considering bringing my laptop to a cafe and using the positive social setting to help me apply myself.  It's all money in coffees but there is an app called 'Buy me a Coffee' where I could sell some of my creativity for a coffee and thus fund my enterprise.  My dream is to be financially independent through my God given talent. 

SparklySue

Hi @janer1967, thank you! 

L_Volunteer

Hi @SparklySue

Thanks for your response. I hear your frustrations. Though, I am really glad to hear you have thought about potential ways you could make your dream a reality. It is great to see you are aware of the sorts of things that could support you with this. Keep being determined and passionate, it will get you far. If there's anything we can do to support you, please don't hesitate to let us know 

SparklySue

@L_Volunteer thank you!

Reg

Hello @SparklySue

I retired and now write part time as it is a great distraction. 

I would love to write a book but I got sidetracked into writing freelance articles. The great thing is that you do not need a website or publisher or agent so none of that hassle so I wondered if that was something you had explored ? 

I am afraid I could not work in a cafe as would spend all my time talking ! 

SparklySue

Hi @Reg, I have to say, I love to talk also, so I'd likely get distracted too .  I'd love to write freelance articles.  I have looked at some of the websites that offer freelance work but it seems you have to have a proven track record to get the work.  Were you already an established writer when you started writing freelance?

Reg

Hello @SparklySue

I did not have any proper writing experience before I retired and started writing - though I had done a desk job that involved writing.

I fell into freelance work as I wanted to earn enough to pay for a writing course but I am now too busy writing to go on the online course! 

I was lucky enough to to get a very small freelance job and that led to the next job and the next so I think you will find once you get started you won't stop.

For first job ideas, you may want to try unpaid work just so you can say you have some experience . For example , a charity or your local newspaper or local free magazine or something that interests you locally or a new start up who would jump at the chance of your doing a few blogs for them in return for you being able to say you have writing experience. 

Most freelance jobs ask you to write a test article so even if you don't have experience I am sure you will soon get some through test writing.

I have found that once you get started work comes in and even though I am sure I don't have the skills or experience to do the work it sort of gets done .

It really is worth trying to get that first bit of work under your belt and then I am sure I will be asking you for tips and help with the book .

Please do let us know how you get on 

SparklySue

@Reg, thank you for that wonderful advice.  It's really heartening. I write a funny blog myself, based on real life experience, embellished a little, just for entertainment purposes, for friends and followers. However I have written blogs for a holiday website in the past, quite a few years ago though.  I'll see what I can do. 

Alex_Alumni

Hi @SparklySue how are you today? That sounds great, I find writing a blog can be really enjoyable, as long as you have inspiration! What kind of holidays were they, action packed or more chilled out?

SparklySue

Hi Alex_Scope, I'm good thanks, resting keeping myself entertained. Yes, having the inspiration is very important.  Luckily for me, I find the funny side of most situations that I find myself in, so that helps.  The holidays were for self-catering holidays in an area where I used to live in Spain.  It was all about places to see, things to do, access to public transport, the amazing local cities etc. Having lived there, I was very aware of the local fiestas, entertainment, nightlife, days out, proximity to the beaches.  Ironically, I went on to be a tour guide on a coach, for mainly over 50s and with that job, travelled all over Spain and learned so much, including conversational Spanish as the drivers were Spanish, though the customers English speaking.  It really helped restore my confidence after my divorce, I had a lot of fun and met some great people.  Just thinking about it makes me smile. 

Alex_Alumni

Aw lovely, what amazing memories to look back on- makes me tempted to book a flight! I always find a good sense of humour is a real plus in a lot of situations in life.

And self-catering holidays really help you feel immersed in the place you're visiting, and what makes it tick. Even going shopping is less a chore, and more part of the experience 

I have a particular passion for languages myself, so I can understand why learning Spanish helped boost your confidence. It must've helped you feel a lot more connected with the local community there. 

Glad to hear you're doing well too, keep taking care of yourself!

SparklySue

Thanks Alex_Scope, have a lovely day