Freelance writing and life in general can be full of surprises. While I advise all writers to always have a plan they can execute, I also recommend being open to change.

You can plan, organize, and prepare for your career all you want. But sometimes, that career (or even another) will take you down another (possibly better suited) path. But that can only happen if you are open to change.

Change happens.

Sometimes life puts you on unexpected journeys - things you didn't plan - that end up being some of the best things that have ever happened to you.

That's what happened to me. I had all these huge plans for my writing and an idea of the direction I was going in. Even though I was happy with that plan and enjoying what I was doing as a freelance writer, something else pulled me in a related (but different) direction.

Because of my own personal successes, I had become a mentor among my peers. In freelance writing, this can happen quite often, as writers tend to be very supportive in my experience.

It had become a natural thing for me to help other freelance writers at the venue I contributed to the most, Yahoo! Contributor Network. While I was helping people, I didn't always think of that as a potential career. It was just something I enjoyed doing.

But eventually, that's exactly what it turned out to be. For the past couple months, I've been enjoying my new role as Community Advocate at the Yahoo! Contributor Network.

Am I still writing? Of course! I'm a writer. It's what I do. But so is helping people - and now I have a position that allows room for both.

Will I still be running all of my websites? Do you really have to ask? You bet I am. While I won't be taking on the majority of writing assignments requested through my two writing sites, not to worry. Jaipi Sixbear (my talented mother) and several independent writers in my circle of professional friends are available to take on those projects.

While my role has changed, I am still the same me, always eager to help and always writing!

When life throws new things your way, don't be afraid to grab on and take a ride. Don’t run from change. Use it to your advantage. Adapt and grow as a writer and as a person. You never know where change will lead you. It took me to a very happy place and I am looking forward to whatever's next. How about you?

UPDATE 2/4/2026 -- I changed my business name to Brand Shamans Content & Creators Community, LLC several years back and it's still growing and evolving very strong. I add and subtract things as necessary and go with the flow.

UPDATE: 10/19/2016 -- Since YCN closed its doors in July of 2014, I've continued my writing advocacy in other ways, such as through the Write W.A.V.E. Media network (as always)! As I stated above, things are always changing and evolving. You just gotta roll with it!