Meet Missy Stone

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Missy Stone. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Missy, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

When I looked up the term “imposter syndrome” online, I found the definition to be an experience in which people doubt their skills and success. Have you ever heard the term “fake it ’til you make it?” Sometimes when I am doubting my skills, and experience, or feeling “less than” others in the room, I decide to put on a smile and act like I belong. This actually helps boost my confidence and my ability to find my place among other successful individuals, realizing that instead of being intimidated by them, I can learn from them.

I will never forget the first solo press/media trip I took this past year. I had never attended one of these on my own, and had no idea what group of individuals I would encounter. Turns out, this trip was filled with very intelligent people, some of them making their names on the Discovery Channel, while others were very well known in their city for scientific and artistic accomplishments. Their followers on social media outlets were infinitely more than mine, and I was unsure of where I fit in with this impressive group of individuals. As the days passed, I found myself truly appreciating the unique skills and personalities these people brought to the table. They were kind, willing to listen, and excited to share their knowledge with me. They were not arrogant, but grateful for their opportunities and saw me as an equal. They were interested in my career and wanted to get to know me. I realized then and there that we are all human, and we have a choice in life. We can enjoy these opportunities where we can learn and grow from the knowledge of others, or we can be intimidated and left feeling “less than” everyone else. I am so glad God gave me the courage to take the trip, learn from others, and come out of it feeling more excited about writing than I had been in a long time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am currently a freelance writer, mainly contributing articles for two local online magazines here in Charleston, South Carolina. I have loved creative writing ever since I was in elementary school, but I decided to become a special education teacher in college. I truly enjoyed that career until motherhood and homeschooling became my focus. After my children got a bit older and we moved to Charleston, SC, I decided to try my hand at writing again. I applied for one magazine in particular and was accepted. I began contributing one article a month, for free. It was worth it for me to get my toes wet and start learning how to write for someone else. The feeling of seeing an article of mine published for the first time was surreal. And honestly, every time another article is published with my name on it, I am filled with excitement. I am so grateful for my editors who keep giving me work to do and keep believing in my writing abilities. Now I am entrusted with more articles per month, and I truly enjoy all the opportunities this job provides. No, it is not making me wealthy, and I am not perfect by any means, but I enjoy writing and am very thankful for the chance to do something I love.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

When you set out to start a new career or try your hand at something new, you have to be humble, willing to learn, and dependable. It also helps to be able to handle criticism. Nobody is perfect, and there is always room for improvement. There is always something we can learn from someone else. Other people have various experiences and talents, differing from our own. Instead of comparing our skills with others, why not take the time to learn from them? I feel slightly hypocritical here as I have a long way to go in becoming proficient at any of these skills I mentioned, but one thing I know is that I will never reach a point in life where I know absolutely everything about anything. Life would be so boring if we could accomplish that, wouldn’t it? Instead, I strive to be a humble learner whom people can depend on to get work done well.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Since I write for the Charleston, SC area, I am always looking for local businesses, companies, PR firms, and people to meet and work with on articles and/or experiences. I love writing pieces about my hometown and supporting small businesses, hotels, and restaurants by getting the word out about their latest accommodation, product, or menu item. I have also truly enjoyed traveling and connecting with writers, editors, and creators from all over the country. I have met so many talented individuals, some writing for “People Magazine”, and others starting their own magazines in big cities like Atlanta, Georgia. I am friends with several amazing social media influencers online. One of them in particular has been a friend of mine for years. She is an avid gardener who shares a lot of homesteading knowledge online. She has hired me for editing, ghostwriting, and newsletter drafts, while also connecting me with other creators in need of similar work. Recently, I was blessed with the opportunity to edit a book for a first-time author. It was a lot of work, but I learned so much in the process. It is still an honor to see my name on anything published. PR firms have also been a joy to work with on many occasions. If I could go back in time, I would probably have worked for a PR firm in my younger years. These talented people are so beneficial for companies trying to promote their businesses. I am so honored to be a part of these promotions when given the opportunity.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Missy Stone
Melanie McLellan (last photo only)

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