Guest Author - Theresa Wilson

There will come a time, as a newsletter writer/editor, you’ll be forced to confront the challenge of whether writing on a regular basis is for you. You will have to consider whether or not you are willing to meet the constant deadlines. What happens when a crisis occurs? Will you let friends take you off track? What can you do to make sure your constituents are served?

These questions haunted me very recently as I was struggling with the flu. I decided to bunker down and snuggle warmly under the covers. There I was, a box of Kleenex tissues and my DVD player on one side; juice, Echinacea, Sudafed and fruit on the side table. My head was pounding a mile a minute. I couldn’t breathe comfortably, every muscle ached, and my ears were clogged, sensitive to every sound. I barely recognize the puffy faced, weak eyed image that starred back at me from the bedroom mirror. I resolved to survive the attack, but first a nice long nap.

I snuggled deeper under the covers. The sun was shinning and the dogwood tree outside my window, though beaten by the recent rain, was such a beautiful site for my weak eyes. I started to sleep. Suddenly, my eyes popped open. “What day it is?” I thought. “Was it Monday? No, Tuesday." Yes, it was Tuesday and I had to meet the deadline for publishing the weekly ezine article. I had only minutes to spare to ensure a timely submission. I didn’t want to disappoint my readers.

As I raced toward the computer, I relaxed a little reminded that I didn’t have to actually write the material to be published. I only had to send the mailing. I had prepared at least four or five articles ahead of time ready for submission that would cover the next few weeks. Without that advance planning, however, I would have been up the proverbial “creek without a paddle,” forced to write something in a spare moment.

I share the above to emphasize an important requirement to making writing commitments as an ezine editor or publisher. No matter the challenge, deadlines must be consistently met, topics must continue to ignite, energize, support, and encourage your readers.

As an ezine newsletter editor or writer, you are providing a service on a regular basis, in spite of adversity or unexpected challenges. Your readers will come to depend on the regularity of the information received. As you continue to expand and grow, ask yourself periodically do you have what it takes? Assess the areas of weakness, make the change, and enthusiastically move forward. Most of all, have fun!