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Home » ByJane, Our Careers

Dreams, Goals and Reality

Submitted by byjane on Thursday, 14 May 200915 Comments

more-missionFor some reason this post wants to call itself, Be Careful What You Wish For. I don’t know why, since I’m talking about happy things and good times. Success, baby, success.

A long, long, long time ago, I decided to be a magazine journalist. Just like that–pouf! Without any training or background or much more than a love of magazines behind me. My mother had brought me up that way, to believe that if I wanted something, I just had to work hard and I would get it. And my father’s mantra to me was: “You can do anything; you can be a doctor.” Of course now, with the wisdom of age, I know that neither of these was true, but at the time–and for a long time–I believed it and acted accordingly. I gave myself a deadline then: in five years one of the womens magazines would be asking me to write for them. It happened in two.

Last year when I started MidLifeBloggers, a small lust lodged in my brain. More magazine would come calling. They’d see the perfect symmetry between us and offer me untold wealth to sell them the site. I believe this fantasy included a home in the South of France–and the body to go with it.

Funny thing: More did come calling. Not with the South of France offer, but with a request that I post original pieces for them on their new website. Close enough, I figured, close enough.

Today the site goes live in Beta. And here’s the link to my piece. It’s a rant about who gets to give midlifers advice. Go look. Cheer me on! Wish me well–and who knows, Cannes might not be so far away after all.

15 Comments »

  • the Mayor says:

    Very well said Jane! Congratulations. I loved the last line.

  • Jennifer H says:

    I haven’t hopped over to read yet, but before I do, you should know that I’m screaming with excitement here! (Okay, on the inside, but really really loud!)

    How cool are you? Congratulations!

  • Darryle says:

    Great piece Jane, and you deserve the standard encore: MORE!! MORE!!!

  • Pseudo says:

    That’s great. I’m off to read it.

    I think the villa is coming soon BTW…

    byjane reply on May 17th, 2009 2:08 pm:

    Which means that the bikini-worthy body can’t be far behind. Right?

  • Ritz says:

    Yea for you. Congrats on the post. I saw the interview and completely agree with you. If you don’t forget what your saying mid sentence or constantly ask, “Is it hot in here or is it just me?”, then you don’t relate.
    Hopefully a liitle villa in the south of France is not too far away.

    byjane reply on May 17th, 2009 2:09 pm:

    I was incensed when I watched that weenie pontificate. Could you tell?

  • Lilly says:

    Congrats and it is a fabulous post too. Who knows where this may take you!!!

    byjane reply on May 17th, 2009 2:10 pm:

    Thanks, Lilly. I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere soon, but I’m sure having fun.

  • Congrats, Jane! This is fabulous news for fiftysomething readers. Can’t wait to read what’s next for you. Cindy

    byjane reply on May 17th, 2009 2:11 pm:

    Thanks, Cindy. The thing I’ve always loved about being a freelancer is that you never know what the next phone call (or email, now) will bring.

  • Congratulations!!!!
    And what a fabulous first post. I absolutely agree 30-something men, or men in general, DO NOT speak for midlife women!
    MORE please!

    byjane reply on May 17th, 2009 2:12 pm:

    Men should tend their own houses first, before they start huffing and puffing on ours.

  • Laura says:

    Congratulations!

    I had the same dream about an agent finding me when I started my blog. I’m still there, unfound. But coming to terms with preferring to write than not, and preferring not to be rejected for now and be accepted by my readers.

    byjane reply on May 17th, 2009 2:14 pm:

    But you are found! Your posts are some of the most popular on MidLifeBloggers.