Guest Post: Sara Golden on Felt-soled Waders
Between this blog and my previous blog, Gear Talk, I’ve written nearly 1,000 articles on backpacking, snowshoeing, fly fishing, and tenkara. It’s hard to believe looking back, but I consider it an accomplishment. For many years, I was pretty much writing in isolation–just doing my own thing and not really connecting with the outdoor writing community. All that just changed as I was recently accepted as a member of the Outdoor Writer’s Association of America.
The OWAA is dedicated to helping writers who love the outdoors promote their work and connect with others who share their passion. From the outside, it might look like maintaining a blog or writing a magazine article is easy. I wouldn’t blame anyone for taking it for granted because they only see the finished product. But, it’s actually a lot of work. And so it’s nice to be able to get some support and form relationships with those who are doing it and “get it”.
Since I’m so new, I haven’t had a chance to really explore all the benefits, but one is a press card which I’m not entirely sure entitles me to anything (other than making me somehow feel validated). But I put it in my fishing wallet anyway.
In my welcome kit, I also got a couple of issues of their bi-monthly print magazine. Supposedly, I’ll be profiled in the next one as a new member.
In my life, I have many roles: father, marketer, etc. But if someone were to ask me to define myself, my gut reaction would be to say, “I’m a writer”. And as a writer, you can never have too many accolades, awards, or affiliations. So, I’m proud to call myself a member of the OWAA. And I feel that the fact that authors like myself, Tom Sadler, and Graham Moran are in the ranks, is just one more sign of the tenkara zeitgeist.
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Congratulations. I ALWAYS enjoy all your posts on your blog and find your reviews of products exceedingly helpful. You have a nice ‘way’ with words. Perhaps your press card will entitle you to some good invites to fishing?
I admire any good ‘blogger’ of which you are. I tried a blog once but found it quite difficult to maintain with any regularity. I enjoy the writing but it is what you say which is the hard bit. Quite early on I realised that there is a limit to the number of ways you can make a ‘blank’ interesting to the readers!!!
Thanks David! Really glad you like the blog. I think you should give blogging another go. Believe me, I know the pressure of the “blank page” all too well. But I discovered the secret. As long as you’re doing it for yourself and not for any external or commercial reasons, you will succeed. I used to have advertising on this site and it kind of pressured me into worrying about things like pageviews, click-thru rates, etc. It became a chore. Once I decided to stop all advertising and stop worrying about analytics, it became enjoyable again. And I think a blog should be enjoyable–not work. So I’d encourage you to revive your blog, throw the idea of “regularity” out the window, and just have fun with it. If you’re not having fun, it won’t be a good blog and then what’s the point?
Congrats Jason!
Well deserved, your writing has always been very interesting to me and well received by many, I’m certain you’ll bring a lot to the OWAA community of writers, as well as find additional outlets for your work.
Would love to pick your brain sometime on your experience as an OWAA member.
Jason, Good for you! I am very pleased for your success. I enjoy your writing, perspective and occasional reference to western New York. I appreciate your focus on subjects, products and techniques with seldom reference to “I”. You will be an asset to the outdoor sports and Tenkara fishing. The best to you.
Congratulations Jason. It’s a distinction that you certainly deserve. Keeping us posted as to new materials and ideas is a benefit for anglers that is very much appreciated. I often send newcomers to various sources because I know that they will be well served. Your work is one of those valuable resources. Thanks for your efforts and best of luck to you.
Stan Kotecki,
Jason, Congratulations on being certified as a OWAA Writer. This is another reason why I value TenkaraTalk and your valuable information.
good on ya! . you earned this.
congrats jason!! i enjoy your posts and look forward to them.good job my friend
Congratulations Jason. It is a deserved designation which you earned. My education on tenkara began by reading some of the words you wrote on the former backpacking blog. Here I am today, continuing this journey by reading TenkaraTalk.
Jeff