These are the slides for my talk for the Quitter 2012 Conference, in which I shared my story of how I pursued my dream while keeping my day job.

2. Or...
How I became a professional writer
without leaving my job, getting
divorced, or flaking out on my friends

3. MYTH #1

4. MYTH #1
“They want me to fail.”

5. Who is “They”?

6. Who is “They”?
• Your spouse

7. Who is “They”?
• Your spouse
• Your boss

8. Who is “They”?
• Your spouse
• Your boss
• Your family

9. MYTH #2

10. MYTH #2
“It takes too much time.”

11. The Pimsleur Approach
& How I Learned Spanish

12. The Rules

13. The Rules
1. Show up.

14. The Rules
1. Show up.
2. Focus on frequency.

15. The Rules
1. Show up.
2. Focus on frequency.
3. Pace yourself.

16. MYTH #3

17. MYTH #3
“It’s all or nothing.”

18. Trampolines vs. Bridges

19. Bridge-building 101

20. Bridge-building 101
1. Have a “plan.”

21. Bridge-building 101
1. Have a “plan.”
2. Recycle materials.

22. Bridge-building 101
1. Have a “plan.”
2. Recycle materials.
3. Build as you go.

23. Let’s review

24. Don’t...

25. Don’t...
• Invent enemies.

26. Don’t...
• Invent enemies.
• Stall.

27. Don’t...
• Invent enemies.
• Stall.
• Believe in trampolines.

28. Do...

29. Do...
• Invite others to join.

30. Do...
• Invite others to join.
• Log the hours.

31. Do...
• Invite others to join.
• Log the hours.
• Build bridges.

32. “I’ll figure it out.”

33. GOINSWRITER.COM/QUITTER