Meet Sarah Barkley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Barkley. 

Hi Sarah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I knew I wanted to be a writer since I was a little girl. I used to write stories all the time and dreamed of being a writer when I grew up. However, by the time I graduated from high school, society convinced me it wasn’t a feasible option. I was convinced I wouldn’t make enough money, and there was no job security, among other negative aspects of being a writer. 

I felt like the medical field was the best route, and spent my college years studying nursing, radiation therapy, and radiography. I even spent a few years studying early childhood education. I kept jumping around, trying to find the career that spoke to me, and it all kept coming back to writing. 

I stacked up plenty of creative writing and literature classes, despite not aiming to achieve a degree in them. During that time, I had three babies and kept thinking about how I wanted to build my schedule around their lives. Eventually, I admitted to myself that I needed to turn back to what I was passionate about. 

I started writing again, starting in content mills before picking up personal freelance writing clients. I worked a “regular” job for a few years with my brother’s HVAC company (which I’m forever grateful for), writing at night and on the weekends. I kept pushing until I started making enough money writing to quit my day job and focus on my writing career full-time. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not always been a smooth road. It took lots of persistence and dedication to achieve my dream of becoming a full-time freelance writer. Sometimes I was so tired from my other responsibilities that I wanted to skip out on writing, but I knew that would never help me reach my dreams. I put writing first, knowing that it would pay off. 

One of the biggest challenges was feeling comfortable enough to quit my job and become fully self-employed. Job security is always on my mind, so it was a scary transition. However, I’ve never regretted it and the writing jobs are always there. 

Another challenge is ignoring the criticism and doubt from others. Some people said it wasn’t a good idea, and others ridiculed what I do for a living. I heard comments about how I didn’t have a real job and that I would regret my decision. However, ignoring those comments is the best thing I could have done. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I write freelance articles and blog posts. I specialize in mental and physical health, parenting and family, self-improvement, and science. I’ve tackled many subjects and am always willing to write about any topic. I love researching and learning new things, so I’ll tackle anything. 

Any big plans?
Oh man, I have so many plans I wouldn’t even know where to start if I listed them all. I want to focus on taking on one to two more freelance writing clients and developing my blog. I’m also writing a fiction novel, but I only pick at it in my free time, so there’s no timeframe for it. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.momwifewine.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mom.wife.wine/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/momwifewine
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/MomWifeWine