By Courtney McLaughlin
Local writers , illustrators share what it takes to make it
When I was eight , a typical Saturday morning included jumping into my parents ’ bed poised to read my latest made-up short story . With titles like “ Flying Breadsticks In France ” and “ Trapped in the Middle School Cafeteria ,” I was hooked on the power of the pen early in life . I received my first typewriter at age 10 , started a neighborhood newspaper at 12 and in my teenage years went through miles of typewriter ribbon , carbon paper , pens , notebooks and drafts .
My passion became a career consideration in college . I wrote for the campus newspaper , interned at marketing agencies and built up my writing portfolio . I ’ ve been fortunate to make a living doing what I love . Some of it is luck , most of it is willingness to buckle down , work hard and being smart enough to learn from exemplary writers and editors . Of course , that is just one path .
8 – My School Rocks !