Here’s the big news I’ve been waiting to share with you . . .
Starting soon, I’ll be a weekly columnist with the Press Register! For those of you who live out of our area, the Press Register is a great newspaper based in Mobile, Alabama and is owned by Alabama Media Group, which also owns The Birmingham News, The Huntsville Times and The Mississippi Press.
The fast-growing company is forward thinking and in recent years has made difficult decisions to rearrange their traditional form of news and place more emphasis on their digital content.The newspaper is now printed and delivered three times a week, with new content being added around the clock at their on-line site of al.com.
Nothing like a little pressure of over thirteen million people reading my stories every week! (Of course, they’ll all go straight to my page, because we don’t have anything else to read about around here like. . . sports, right?).
My column will be on al.com as well as the printed Press Register and the other newspapers around the state will have the option of adding it to their papers as well. For those of you in the northern parts of the state, you may someday be able to line your birdcages with my face! Yippee! Dream come true!
And of course, the minute I got this new gig, I couldn’t think of a thing to write . . . crickets. Nothing.
Dry as a bone . . . panic set in and every ounce of creativity left my body.
But then (here’s the sweet part), I remembered all of you who have read my blog over the years and sent thoughtful and kind comments. I met someone last night at the Art Center who lives in Louisiana, but has been subscribing to our Fairhope paper because he often visits here and told me how he has used some of my columns for his Sunday School devotionals. I also ran into a long time reader who lives out of town who has become a new friend because of my blog. The point is, my readers are so encouraging and nice, and with that thought . . . I knew I could do it.
I didn’t plan on being any sort of writer when I was young(er), but I’ve learned to always go with the gifts God gives you, and I’m a believer that those gifts are constantly changing and evolving. If you are afraid to use your gift, I think God will move you on to something else, and you’ll never know the joy of what could have been. So in short, I’m making hay while the sun shines.
I’ll keep you posted on when my first story appears, but for now, I’ll just thank y’all again for sticking with me and reading my blog.
Click HERE to read more about or subscribe to home delivery of the Press Register.
CONGRATULATIONS!! I’m so excited for you. I was really hoping your news was something along these lines. I know you have the talent for this job and expect that you will excel in this new position. Wishing you a lack of writer’s block and tons of inspiration!! 🙂
Thank you, Miss Crafty!
Congrats! More people will have the pleasure of reading your great stories!
Wow-why am I not surprised at this next step in this journey? My favorite quote is from Fra Giovanni;”Take Joy”. Not only do you take joy in every step, you share it with others – what a gift! Now, I can’t wait to get a copy of a published book to share as gifts
Oh Harriet, what an inspiration you are to me! Thank you so much, and I hope I always do “take joy!”
Leslie, I’m so sorry I missed you today. Out trying to catch a few beads between working. I’m so excited about your new home for your column. I know you will come up with many interesting things to share with all of your old, and new, readers. Looking forward to all of the fun things you will share!
You booth is wonderful and I’m sorry I missed you too! I got to see Arlene, another reader and the entire place looks fabulous! Can’t wait to go back and shop some more!
Thanks for the kind words, and we’ll catch up another time soon.
They got themselves a talented writer! Congrats to you and to them! This will be fabulous exposure for your talent. And talent is something I seem to be lacking these days. Somehow I messed up the feed of your blog to my blog by trying to put in your new name. Tried changing it back and it gave me a post from 547 days ago! Help! I need to get this famous writer’s feed correct!
I don’t think it’s you that’s messing it up … something on my blog is causing that. I’m just telling everyone to hold off a bit and see if I can figure out what’s wrong! Writing is one thing, programing a computer is a different gift that has definitely not been sent my way!
Thanks so much for your sweet words!
Congratulations! I love your style and your words are so true…”If you are afraid to use your gift, I think God will move you on to something else…” Our talents are God given and when we use those gifts for Him, He promotes us! You are definitely using your gifts and blessing lots of people.
Thank you Vickie. The memory of missed memories haunt so many people, it’s hard to take that first step, but you live and learn to go for it when the door’s open.
That is BIG news! You will be great.
Thanks Carol. I’ve been holding my breath waiting for it to be official!
Congrats!
Followed your blog and I happen to subscribe to the Press- Register!
Golly, just keep it real!
She who can doz!!!!!!
Now you can save time by getting all your reading done in one place! Thanks for the cheer!
I read al.com every single day- sometimes more than one time a day. This is very exciting and I look forward to reading your column. Crimson Tide and Leslie Ann in one place. Will I be able to bear it? Get it? Bear it?
Hahaha! Good one. I’ll keep you on speed dial when I need help! Thank you Sylvia!
So happy for you and PROUD OF YOU! You are going to be a sensation and bring entertainment, information, and inspiration to a new group of readers. You will find more great ideas as you think about your growing audience. (Plus all your friends who think WE know what YOU should write about. Just ask us!) I’m going to subscribe and be sure they know it is because they are adding your column. Now down to the important stuff, what will you wear for the photo that will accompany your column?
Oh, you know me well. I had such a short time to come up with a photo, I just used the one on my sidebar — the “welcome” photo. It will have to do for now. I was wearing pearls, so all is well.
You’re a dear! Hugs to you and great thanks.
I am so proud of you! I have aways thought I would see bigger and better things than your blog, although that is very good. I predict that you will become rich and famous, and I can say ” I knew her when…”.
Well, “newspaper” and “rich” don’t actually go together, but I’ll give it my best try! Thank you for your lovely support. I truly appreciate it!
Just like for Tinkerbelle, everybody start clapping for Leslie Anne to give her strength for the job!
Haha! I remember that! I’ll take all I can get! Thank you Fran.
Hearty congrats, my dear! The Mobile Register and Al.com have just gone up in my estimation. There’s no stopping you now. Next stop the today show. Just remember all your little friends when you get to the top!
xoxo
The Today Show? I’d have to do my hair to work there! Newspaper is the place for my face!
Thanks Ellen!
Can you hear me clapping? ? Yay! Bravo! I’m so excited for you! And for all the new readers who will get to know and love your special self! Although I don’t read the Press Register, I do read al.com all the time so I look forward to seeing you there! ?
Yes I do hear your hearty applause and I thank you deeply!
I guess that answers the question of why I have been missing your column in the Courier. Having just finished another issue, I was about to write and ask you about that.
You’re on top of things! And now you know. . . the rest of the story!
Congratulations, Leslie Anne! The Press Register and Alabama Media Group are lucky to have such a talented writer on their staff. Digital is the future for newspapers and you are going to be right there in the thick of things! I love it when wonderful things happen to wonderful people.
Thank you Mo. I’ve often said the same thing, so I’m glad you think I’m nice.
Congrats, Leslie Anne! So happy for you. You are such a great writer – you deserve it. Hope you have a great weekend!
Thank you Katie. Stay warm and have lots of fun this weekend yourself!
Just the picture of the happy dog and the quote made my smile of the day. Your blog always has a positive impact on me and I know your new readers will be blessed as well. Congratulations.
Dogs and a good story . . . lots of happiness there.
Thank you Jess.
What an achievement! Congratulations. You are so right about using the gifts God gave you. You are doing a wonderful job of that. The Press Register is lucky to have you.
Thank you Maureen. I’m so excited!
Leslie Anne, you have no idea how many people’s lives you have touched through your blog. Now just imagine how many more you will touch now. You never know when your kind words or even the subject you have on the agenda is helping someone through even the smallest crisis in their life. God has blessed you with a remarkable talent. Take and run with it girl. I am so happy for you.
You’ve made me cry!
And in the same way, my readers will never know how much they’ve meant to me! Thank you so much Dana!
I’m so happy for you, Leslie! You’ll do great I’m sure.
Dayle, you know the business well, so I truly value your kind words!
I am so EXCITED for you. I follow AL.com daily. I may live in Florida, but you can’t take the Alabama out of me. The orange and blue part at least:)
You are so right about using those gifts God gives you. You will do great and I look forward to watching it all happen. Love the picture of the dog and quote of living like someone left the gate open. I am going to have to pin that!
Hip Hip Hooray for you!!!
Isn’t that a great saying? Thank you so much Sandy. You know I love my Florida readers!
Awesome Leslie Anne. Congratulations, and I know you will be bringing in the new subscriptions! I am so happy for you and this is such a good fit for you. We all enjoy your wit and southern humor. I’m sure this will lead to something national and maybe a book, you’ve got to do a book. Please don’t forget your little blogger friends when you hit the big time 🙂 You really deserve this. You go girl…………..
Emily, you’re a doll! Thanks so much!
Congratulations!! Can’t think of any one who has worked harder or deserves it more. They are going to appreciate your talent and love you.
Thanks Patsy!
I finally have a reason to re-subscribe to the Press-Register!
You’ll love it!