Well, it’s nearly official.

Pending paperwork, I am the newest sports string writer for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

It’s not much – it’s certainly not as prestigious as having my own weekly column or being sports editor – but it’s the only way I can get my feet wet writing for a newspaper without quitting my job and starting again from scratch. Essentially I’ll just be doing free-lance work; the editor will give me assignments when I can take them, and I’ll go to the game and write about it.

I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous. The truth is this: I’ve never written a sports article. I’ve never had to sit at a game and grab the pertinent stats and plays and then go into the locker room and ask questions. I’ve never interviewed anyone before, during, or after a game. I’ve never had to formulate some sort of written assessment of a player’s performance in true AP style.

I’m perfectly qualified to do this, but at the same time, I feel completely under prepared. I’ll be expected to do something I’ve never done before without any real practice whatsoever.

It’s kind of exciting, but it’s also very nerve-wracking.

Regardless, I’m pretty proud of this moment. I’m one step closer to writing for a living – to getting paid to do two things I do for free anyway: write and watch sports.

Now all I need to do is get it right.