I’ve posted before about having goals, so I’m not going to go into that again. Something I read recently was an article talking about how writer’s associations are taking up the question of allowing members who are self published. Essentially, change the rules of who can belong to the club (I’m picturing an old childhood tree fort with the “no girls allowed” sign posted out front). Is this is a good idea?

Yes, it’s a good idea. That statement is regarding the idea of changing, not necessarily the particular change in question. Any organization that doesn’t recognize the world around it and adapt to those changes will fade and die. It’s really that simple. So, repeating, yes it’s a good idea to change.

Is it a good idea to try to get in? That’s the real question.

I know a number of folks that are right at the edge of the membership (as the rules stand now). I know a couple of folks that are in and a couple of folks that really couldn’t care less if they tried. Some writer’s I’ve talked to really want in – and it’s not been stated directly, it’s been implied by particular choices made in what contests to enter and what publications to submit to more than anything. Others I’ve seen posts from have taken the attitude of reacting from a place of hurt feelings, “you didn’t want me before… why should I want you now that you’re willing to recognize me”. I’m not sure either view is quite right.

I don’t know if I want to be a member of any of these groups or not. What I do know is that I want to make good stories and get them out there for people to enjoy. I don’t know if that will ever be a full time thing for me or not. I don’t know if I’ll ever meet the requirements, adjusted or not, to get into a professional association. You know what? I’m not worried about it. Over time I’ve come to discover that these things generally work themselves out *after* there’s been a lot of work put in – and not work toward gaining entrance. It’s the creativity that matters – make something awesome. The rest of it follows.