Part of my daily routine is to read news sites like CNN and The Huffington Post when I have free time. While reading an article about divorce on the latter website one afternoon, I saw a call for new divorce bloggers.
Divorce is always such a touchy subject to write about. It's a very personal thing, and many things happen throughout the relationship and the breakup that most people don't know about. I went through a divorce at a young age, and it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do to this day. But writing about things helps me deal with them and get closure-- so I sat down and poured my heart out to my keyboard. I was so nervous, but I submitted the article anyway while I was still feeling somewhat brave.
Months went by without a response, so I put it out of my mind and chalked it up to another rejection letter. I'm getting used to those, as every writer should. Then one day, I saw the glorious, "RE: Story Submission," subject line in my inbox. The Huffington Post was interested in my article!
So I edited it down to half the word count of what I'd originally submitted, and created my HuffPost blogger profile. I finally felt like a real writer, and it was one of the most exciting days of my life. That excitement was doubled today when the article went live, but only for a moment.
The realization of what I'd just posted hit me like a ton of bricks when strangers started to give their two cents on my life, mental health, and marriage like they knew me better than I know myself. That always comes with being published though, and I was aware it would happen when I submitted. And honestly, it's good people are commenting, because that means people other than family, close friends, and agents are finally reading my work.
But I panicked for a moment, worried about who I might offend or hurt with my words, not to mention I was basically walking naked out into middle of the internet, waving my arms like a wacky-waving-inflatable-arm-flailing-tube-man.
E.g.
I just wanted to say that I am proud of myself for telling this story, because my nine-year relationship with my ex-husband was a big chunk of my life. I don't regret any of it, and I still care about his well-being. I mean no hard feelings towards anyone, but there are always two sides to every story. This one is mine. Or what I could condense into 800 words, anyway.
The most important thing is that we are both happy now, as he is getting married this month, and I am blissfully living with the most amazing man I've ever had the pleasure of loving.
I have never been happier in my personal life, and now I have a published article on a national website. Life is pretty good today. :D
Here it is!
