I thought I’d go ahead and open up a thread for all my readers so I can get to know you a little. I’d like you to take a couple of minutes and answer three questions:
Where are you in your writing journey?
Where do you want to go from here?
What’s the biggest obstacle standing in your way?
I’m looking forward to your answers, which will help guide the direction and content of this newsletter.
1. I'm a writer. Have been all my life, mostly journals, some poetry. I've wanted to be a freelancer for at least five years now, but it seemed like too big of a dream, and I also struggle with imposter syndrome. But now, I'm at the point where not going for the dream is scarier than trying and falling flat on my face.
2. I would like to become a freelance writer who makes enough money that I can leave cubicle life forever. That's my first goal.
3. My biggest obstacle is myself - my fear, my self-doubt, and my paralyzing perfectionist streak. As I wrote in item one, though, not writing is harder than writing. I'm also concerned that, like many other interests in my life, I'll grow tired or overwhelmed and give up before I really get going. However, I feel positive and excited about this community and what we can build here.
I generally don't like when people say this because everyone's circumstances/energy levels/capacity is different, yadda yadda, but if I could manage to make a living freelancing, it's not too big a dream for anybody. I'm glad you see that not going for it will have more dire consequences than trying and having it not go the way you hoped.
One trick I've found for getting part the fear, other than just doing it scared, is to treat everything like an experiment and a classroom. That's what I'm doing right now with pitching the big leagues. It's just an experiment-if it succeeds, great, if it doesn't, I'm no worse off for having tried and I learned a lot along the way.
And imposter syndrome needs to shut it. We both need to remember Who our power and ability comes from. ❤️❤️❤️
1. My writing journey is stuck. Practically non-existent for the past few years. Over a decade ago I published a few how-to books but haven't charged for them because they are books of faith. I believe they should be accessible to all, so the e-book versions are free. The money from the print versions go to a faith-based non-profit. The e-books have been downloaded in over 60 countries and translated into a few other languages. I also wrote a NaNo Novel and started a few more, but nothing else for a few years.
2. I'd like to get back to writing, do it regularly, and get paid for it. I don't really care whether I write fiction or nonfiction, just so I can make regular income with it.
3. I'm still recovering from Cushing's Syndrome. My health is improving: my blood sugar is totally under control, I've lost over 100 pounds, I've weaned off several of my medicines. But I am sleeping through the recovery--12 to 16 hours a day. I have no energy and have trouble getting focused. That makes it very difficult for me to set a writing schedule or, in fact, commit to anything that requires energy and focus.
That's fantastic that you've come so far in improving your health. It's taken me 8 years to lose 75 pounds and get my blood sugar stable, so I know that struggle well. I also know that's only half the battle-you've gotten your body to a place where it can start healing, but that will still take time. Give yourself plenty of grace as you give your body what it needs to heal.
The other day, I listened to a podcast where the hosts had issued a challenge to their FB group to write just 200 words a day, and they were recounting stories from their members about how much a small daily assignment radically improved their writing productivity. Is that something you could implement? Go even smaller if you need to--5 minutes of writing right after your morning coffee when you're feeling the most focused, for example. It sounds so small it's not even worth doing but if you make it a daily practice you'd be amazed how it adds up. I've been in seasons where I've had to use that technique to jumpstart my own stalled writing.
Also, I understand being reluctant to charge for faith-based books, but at the same time, there's a case to be made that even the apostles had a right to expect support for their work. I'd pray about it first, of course, but what if you set a low price on your books and did a relaunch campaign to generate new buzz, along with some revenue? That might provide the momentum you need to keep going.
This past week my awake time has been a little more consistent. If this keeps up I should be able to find a routine that includes some writing time. Even if it is just five minutes.
1. I've got enough content marketing clients at a high enough rate of pay to help pay the bills plus a little extra, and I'm able to carve out time to work on my fiction.
2. I've got a goal this year to double my income by breaking into higher paying markets and replace my lowest-paying client. I'm working on diversifying my portfolio by pitching outside of the pet market and also contributing to Medium. I've also got another non-fiction book planned for after I finish my current novel. In five years I'd like to be earning my income from books and other products, retire from freelancing, and focus entirely on producing my own content.
3. My biggest obstacles are the imposter syndrome I have to battle every time I query a major publication, and also not having the capacity to carry out my ideas and plans as quickly as I'd like thanks to chronic illness zapping my energy.
Imposter syndrome is the worst. Add chronic illness - I know how debilitating these both can be, but you're making plans and sending queries and running this community anyway. You're a rockstar.
1. I'm a writer. Have been all my life, mostly journals, some poetry. I've wanted to be a freelancer for at least five years now, but it seemed like too big of a dream, and I also struggle with imposter syndrome. But now, I'm at the point where not going for the dream is scarier than trying and falling flat on my face.
2. I would like to become a freelance writer who makes enough money that I can leave cubicle life forever. That's my first goal.
3. My biggest obstacle is myself - my fear, my self-doubt, and my paralyzing perfectionist streak. As I wrote in item one, though, not writing is harder than writing. I'm also concerned that, like many other interests in my life, I'll grow tired or overwhelmed and give up before I really get going. However, I feel positive and excited about this community and what we can build here.
I generally don't like when people say this because everyone's circumstances/energy levels/capacity is different, yadda yadda, but if I could manage to make a living freelancing, it's not too big a dream for anybody. I'm glad you see that not going for it will have more dire consequences than trying and having it not go the way you hoped.
One trick I've found for getting part the fear, other than just doing it scared, is to treat everything like an experiment and a classroom. That's what I'm doing right now with pitching the big leagues. It's just an experiment-if it succeeds, great, if it doesn't, I'm no worse off for having tried and I learned a lot along the way.
And imposter syndrome needs to shut it. We both need to remember Who our power and ability comes from. ❤️❤️❤️
1. My writing journey is stuck. Practically non-existent for the past few years. Over a decade ago I published a few how-to books but haven't charged for them because they are books of faith. I believe they should be accessible to all, so the e-book versions are free. The money from the print versions go to a faith-based non-profit. The e-books have been downloaded in over 60 countries and translated into a few other languages. I also wrote a NaNo Novel and started a few more, but nothing else for a few years.
2. I'd like to get back to writing, do it regularly, and get paid for it. I don't really care whether I write fiction or nonfiction, just so I can make regular income with it.
3. I'm still recovering from Cushing's Syndrome. My health is improving: my blood sugar is totally under control, I've lost over 100 pounds, I've weaned off several of my medicines. But I am sleeping through the recovery--12 to 16 hours a day. I have no energy and have trouble getting focused. That makes it very difficult for me to set a writing schedule or, in fact, commit to anything that requires energy and focus.
Sixty countries? That's amazing! Think of how many people have been blessed and encouraged by your words.
Hi Nancy!
That's fantastic that you've come so far in improving your health. It's taken me 8 years to lose 75 pounds and get my blood sugar stable, so I know that struggle well. I also know that's only half the battle-you've gotten your body to a place where it can start healing, but that will still take time. Give yourself plenty of grace as you give your body what it needs to heal.
The other day, I listened to a podcast where the hosts had issued a challenge to their FB group to write just 200 words a day, and they were recounting stories from their members about how much a small daily assignment radically improved their writing productivity. Is that something you could implement? Go even smaller if you need to--5 minutes of writing right after your morning coffee when you're feeling the most focused, for example. It sounds so small it's not even worth doing but if you make it a daily practice you'd be amazed how it adds up. I've been in seasons where I've had to use that technique to jumpstart my own stalled writing.
Also, I understand being reluctant to charge for faith-based books, but at the same time, there's a case to be made that even the apostles had a right to expect support for their work. I'd pray about it first, of course, but what if you set a low price on your books and did a relaunch campaign to generate new buzz, along with some revenue? That might provide the momentum you need to keep going.
What happened with your Nano novel?
This past week my awake time has been a little more consistent. If this keeps up I should be able to find a routine that includes some writing time. Even if it is just five minutes.
You'd be surprised how many words can get written in five minutes.
I'll go first:
1. I've got enough content marketing clients at a high enough rate of pay to help pay the bills plus a little extra, and I'm able to carve out time to work on my fiction.
2. I've got a goal this year to double my income by breaking into higher paying markets and replace my lowest-paying client. I'm working on diversifying my portfolio by pitching outside of the pet market and also contributing to Medium. I've also got another non-fiction book planned for after I finish my current novel. In five years I'd like to be earning my income from books and other products, retire from freelancing, and focus entirely on producing my own content.
3. My biggest obstacles are the imposter syndrome I have to battle every time I query a major publication, and also not having the capacity to carry out my ideas and plans as quickly as I'd like thanks to chronic illness zapping my energy.
Imposter syndrome is the worst. Add chronic illness - I know how debilitating these both can be, but you're making plans and sending queries and running this community anyway. You're a rockstar.