Written by Shara Lawrence-Weiss

Owner of Mommy Perks, Kids Perks, Personal Child Stories, Early Childhood News & Resources and Crackers, Cheese and Pickles.

My first storybook was written at the age of nine - about a Flying Horse. My father (a professional artist) illustrated the book and my mother helped me cover the pages in contact paper. We tied it together with string. The teacher kindly gave me an "A" even though I'd clearly gotten parental help. She said that my "A" was for the story-line, which she liked.

My next story was written around the same time. As a rather intense child, I decided to write a moving story about a young girl who dies, in her parent's arms, leaving them behind. Again, I received an "A" from the teacher who wanted to know why I was such a serious child.

When I informed my parents, not long after, that I wanted to be a Writer, my mother gently told me that being a Writer was hard. That is wasn't easy getting published and perhaps I should set my sights on goals that would be easier to accomplish. I sunk into a Writer's Depression at that point, unsure of what to do - thinking it would be best to just give up. My parents didn't purposefully hurt me; they wanted to protect me from disappointment. Back then it was much harder to get published.

During high school I began to venture into more writings: poems, songs, articles, stories and more. My Creative Writing teacher advised me to write for Hallmark - saying that I was nothing but "sappy crap" (in so many words, but in my defense, I'm near positive the man hadn't seen a sober day in 10+ years). After that, I continued to write but I hid my work in a box. I knew what I was writing wasn't terrific but I also believed that I needed to practice - to find my 'voice.'

Years later, after getting pregnant at a young age, and giving birth to a son who had medical issues...I realized: "This is my story." Somehow I knew and was at peace with the idea that I was living my own would-be writings - right then and there - and the rest was yet to come.

I enrolled in a snail mail writing course and remained in that program for two years. My son's medical issues were intense and the writing and editing gave me a mental outlet. I received A's on most of my assignments, after which time I felt ready to send away my first article, hoping to get published. A small local newspaper did in fact pick up the article to print (no pay). Soon after I wrote an article about my father and the Salvation Army Magazine paid me $100 for that piece. I enrolled in college and began taking English courses, among others. I wrote and wrote and wrote. I wrote about my son being born with no vision in one eye and about the fact that his eye had to be removed. I wrote about young motherhood and the trials (and triumphs) of that life path. When I became a single mother I wrote essays for Scholarships (and won them both). I wrote a book over the course of several years that I'm finally ready to publish - ten years later.

I worked as a nanny for over 16 years in order to earn money and later, to support my son. Every life choice brought me down a Writer's Road to where I am today - ready to share my stories, my experiences and my journey - in hopes of helping others. I can empathize with young mothers, single mothers, married mothers, business owners and more. I've had experience in nanny work, early childhood, special needs and marketing. I own 5 websites now where I write my heart out...because it's who I am. I have a story to tell and information that needs to go from my head to the screen/paper.

I've now had hundreds of articles published in newspapers, magazines, newsletters, fliers, journals and Online - regionally, nationally and globally. I'm asked to guest post on blogs and websites on a regular basis.

I don't say these things to brag but rather, to offer hope to the low-self esteem wannabe Writers: a title I once wore shamefully.

Here's my advice to those of you who fit that bill...

First Things First

Do you enjoy writing? That's a big key factor to writing success. If you don't even like it, you should probably move to something else. For many writers, writing is what keeps their blood circulating and their brain from turning to mush. Even if I lost my home, car and shoes, you'd likely find me writing about it somewhere on the street, using an old pencil and the flat side of a cardboard box.

Write What You Know

Someone gave me this advice many, many years ago: "Write what you know. Don't attempt to write about things of which you know NOTHING." Therefore, you won't find me writing about political candidates or celebrities but you will find me writing about outdoor play, early childhood and parenting (I have three kids now including both genders - 2 boys, 1 girl). You won't find me writing about the best ways to tile a floor or how to date a women by using 5 simple words. But you will find me writing about small business, mompreneurs and marketing tips. Furthermore, sometimes the best stories and articles come from unexpected places. Like my young motherhood. Many girls would have freaked out in my position and would have made a different choice. However, the choice I made led me down the path I was meant to be on and all these years later, I can look back and say, "It all makes sense now." At the same time, I have so much to write about because of everything I experienced...and overcame. I feel strong and empowered and motivated to help others through the telling of my stories.

Publish Yourself if Needed

Don't think you'll get printed in a magazine or paper? That's okay - most folks search for news and stories Online now. Back when I began writing, things were very different. I had to type (or print) what was called a Query Letter. I had to 'sell myself' to a publisher. I had to convince him/her that others would want to read what I had to write. Some of them agreed while others wrote back saying, "No way - REJECTED!" I came to learn that often times, those who can't publish their own work...become Editors. They find great joy in mocking other writers who come to them, asking for publication. "HAHA! No way. I got rejected a million times over and now I get to reject others. What fun!" If this is happening to you, and you really believe that your voice has a place and that others will want to read you, just publish your own work. Put up a blog or website and promote your own stuff on facebook, twitter, Digg, etc. That's what I began doing and I can track the clicks, reads, stats, etc. If you love to write for the sake of writing, it won't matter that your fabulous article didn't get printed in a magazine. You'll still feel great knowing that folks are reading you, commenting and connecting to your inner thoughts. No snooty or bitter Editor needed. Plus, you'll retain all rights to your own work. If another site owner comes along and asks to pay in order to re-print your work, you'll be free to say, "Why, sure!"

Collect Feedback

Get feedback from others, even if it's negative. A writer's best friend is honest feedback. What do readers like best from you? Least? You need to know all of this so you can focus your attention where it will best be appreciated. Not to say that you can't venture out but if your audience appreciates a particular genre from you, consider making that your niche.

Save Your Work!

Be sure to back up your work and if you do get published, save a copy. I have a box full of newspaper clippings, magazines I've been printed in, etc. Some people want to know that you've been published before they will even speak to you about being printed in their outlet. If nothing more, your old work will bring a smile to your face years later - or to the faces of your children, once grown. It's also fun to look back and go, "What was I THINKING when I wrote that crap?" I've done that a time or two, for sure.

Don't Be Afraid to Go to the Dark Side

Some of my best work has been written when I'm depressed, sad, angry or in pain. When my first husband died I sat down and wrote my heart out. Some of that work is now found in my book (Crackers, Cheese and Pickles). It was incredibly painful to write about my feelings in the middle of the agony but I'm now getting feedback from people saying, "I read your book and I laughed, and cried, and my heart ached for you and then I cried some more and later in the book I felt so happy! I went through every possible emotion while reading your story - I felt as though I was inside your mind." That's exactly what I wanted. I wanted to put my heart on paper and I wanted the readers to feel my pain and my joy. If I accomplished that, I'm thrilled beyond compare. The first person I sent a note to, asking to look at my book for publication, turned me down saying, "This is not for me. Thanks anyway. I wish you well." Regardless of that rejection, I'm seeing just how much the book is resonating with readers and that's exactly what any good book does, eh? It resonates with readers. I only got to that point by writing my heart out, in the midst of the pain, embracing the emotions and the dark side.

Never Give Up and just BE YOU!

If you know you've got a story to tell or advice to share - don't give up. Success (in my opinion) isn't about becoming the next John Grisham. It's about being YOU and about reaching the people you are meant to reach. That won't be everyone and that's okay. If you are reaching the audience you're meant to reach, that's enough. That's all any writer can really hope for, right? Tap into your inner self esteem and your "I can do this!" voice. Don't listen to the naysayers or to the people who want to see you fail. Humbly carry on, doing what you know you were/are meant to do, and it will all pan out just as it's meant to. Big or small. Just as it's meant to.