Be careful who you share your writing with if your skin is still thin.

With one unsupportive comment from a friend or family member, or worse no response at all, your world can be turned upside-down.

Exercising your writing muscles after not having done so for a while is kind of like signing up for an adult basketball league when you have not played ball since high school.

The voices in your head tell you that you would be better off sitting on the bench in a diaper instead of out on the court, but once you get past those negative feelings, you play your heart out, - sure you make a few mistakes, but then some of your skills come back, and you make a few good passes and score a few baskets. . . and then all of the muscles that have been laying dormant for some time hurt like hell for days.

As I write articles for helium.com and the other users rate them, it sometimes sets my barometer for the day. When my score is up, I am up and when my articles ratings slip I question myself all over again.

Today, despite all that, I took a chance and wrote the Editor of our local paper to see if I could write a blog on their website.

As I hit the send button, my stomach turned, but then after a minute and a personal pep-talk with myself, I was glad that I had pushed past my fear.

Within 15 minutes I had a response from her:

"You are a dream come true.
I love your writing and I would love to have you blog on our site.
Once the economy improves and I can pay you – I would love to bring you on as a full time columnist."

So, of course I am on a manic upswing even if my husband cannot grasp why it is important to me and says there is no future or money in it.

I will show him, I have made $9.17 in the last few weeks for my helium articles.