At the age of forty-six I made a life changing decision. I decided that I needed to make sure that I spent the rest of my life doing something that I wanted to do. Some major traumas had happened in my personal life and put together with the mid-life crisis I was probably suffering, I felt that I needed to change.

It is an old adage that “we”re only here once, it’s not a dress rehearsal,’ but it started to ring very true for me. What do I enjoy doing most, and what would make me most happy? The answer was easy. Writing. I had always written for enjoyment, and had written stories for my kids when they were young. It had never crossed my mind to try to do it professionally.

So here I am. Forty-six years old and embarking on a new career. I have given up a well paid job and have given myself twelve months to make a success of my writing. It is exciting, daunting, and enjoyable. I am writing short stories and articles. I am running a blog and applying for freelance work left right and centre.

I’m making a few dollars here and there, and I’m feeling the most positive about the future that I’ve ever felt.

Whatever happens with my writing career, whether I succeed or fail, I know that this is the best thing I have ever done. I would recommend trying to do what you know you’ve always wanted to do to anyone. Just give it a go. If I have to get a job stacking shelves in a supermarket in twelve months time then so be it. I’ll have no regrets.

So how have I fared so far? Well, I write for a couple of article websites and make a few cents. People leave comments on your work and it is fair to say that not everyone enjoys it! You need to be thick skinned as people don’t hold back. One reader left a message on an article I had written intending it to be humorous, simply saying, “You’re not clever, and you’re not funny.” Hurtful!

I write a soccer blog which is getting over a hundred hits a day now which I am very pleased with after only three or four weeks. The revenue from advertising on that site is small but will grow if I can increase my readership.

I am submitting ideas for articles to magazines and taking a creative writing distance learning course. Don’t expect editors to be quick with their replies!

I write for two or three other Soccer websites, and whilst this doesn’t raise any money, my hope is that it raises my profile.

I don’t expect to get rich, but if I can make a reasonably comfortable living doing what I love to do, I will be so much happier that earning a lot in a job I didn’t enjoy.

So that’s where I am. I’ve had several short stories rejected by magazines, and several article ideas that just haven’t even solicited a response. I don’t get down hearted because rejection is a fact of life for any writer. It makes every small success so much better.

Writing gives a sense of freedom, and it is impossible to put a value on that.

I will keep trying, keep hoping, but most of all, keep enjoying. Whatever happens, I’ve made a very sound decision.