Recently I had an opportunity to share my thoughts with professional and novice writers on a group discussion. I'll share a bit more on that later. One thing I want to say is that you need to live your life without the voices around you telling you that you can't. Becoming overwhelmed with the critics and naysayers isn't something to focus on.
Giving energy to it is worse. Work on writing your story, your way. Within the field of writing and publishing it can easily become a party of one as you mostly work solo on projects and for many hours. If you are a solopreneur you know how it is. Especially at the genesis when some tell you it won't work and you'd better get a steady job. Responsible planning is very important and you may have to work another job until your dream career takes off but to give it up due to doubt-no way.
Here is how I responded to the thread I mentioned earlier. I encourage you to apply what works for your ambitions and goals for a realistic change if you are on the bubble about it. I hope it helps you:
"You are right, freelance, even staff writing for that matter, can get downright monotonous. Depending on the type of writing stage/career you are in, you may trend towards a sense of loneliness because you simply needed quiet to concentrate and write. Now it's a habit you can't get out of. What you once thought would be fun and cool, now is mundane and draining. I've had some liken this to the East Coast winter blues. Many can't take the cold, dank, sun rise/set changes and it puts them in this depressed mood they stay in until spring.
A couple of things may or may not help but I'll toss them out to you anyway. Try other aspects of writing to mix it up. I took the time to research before starting my publishing company because I like you, really wanted to be a writer. I also knew/saw many disappointed because of the stress-induced deadlines for those wanting to make money and a career from writing. For the freelancer, especially newbies, unless you strike platinum right out of the gate (most don't ever), work more, make less and fool themselves into believing that the exposure is the thing.
Meanwhile predatory companies smelling blood know this and feel confident offering $5 an article. This sorry method still works because so many buy into it for a variety of reasons. Suppose your work load picks up, the gleanings are still miniscule. While I love writing, I also knew I could edit, layout, marketing, building websites, book signings, speaking engagements, etc.-and make solid money at it. I even cater the book signings for my clients, this gave me a refreshing change, so no two days are the same. As far as socialization, I joined a couple of networking groups which provide the human interaction, connectivity and exposure-keeping me relevant and current.
I blog for my site once a week and several times a month under pseudonyms, giving me flavor, variety, texture so I don't get bored. You do not have to start a company but give yourself more reach by thinking outside the box. I also teach writing classes, another way to gain leverage because now your students want to write and come back to a trusted source for assistance in the other aspects of their writing goals to publishing.
I can't tell you how fulfilled I am now once I realized what I was capable of. This is not a Cinderella story. It takes hard work, thick skin, second job for a bit, patience and knowing when it is time to let go of a client/potential-even when you desperately need the money. But what I can tell you is, if you peel back the layers and see what else is out there, the yield will be good for all seasons.
You hang in there."
Until next time~
Giving energy to it is worse. Work on writing your story, your way. Within the field of writing and publishing it can easily become a party of one as you mostly work solo on projects and for many hours. If you are a solopreneur you know how it is. Especially at the genesis when some tell you it won't work and you'd better get a steady job. Responsible planning is very important and you may have to work another job until your dream career takes off but to give it up due to doubt-no way.
Here is how I responded to the thread I mentioned earlier. I encourage you to apply what works for your ambitions and goals for a realistic change if you are on the bubble about it. I hope it helps you:
"You are right, freelance, even staff writing for that matter, can get downright monotonous. Depending on the type of writing stage/career you are in, you may trend towards a sense of loneliness because you simply needed quiet to concentrate and write. Now it's a habit you can't get out of. What you once thought would be fun and cool, now is mundane and draining. I've had some liken this to the East Coast winter blues. Many can't take the cold, dank, sun rise/set changes and it puts them in this depressed mood they stay in until spring.
A couple of things may or may not help but I'll toss them out to you anyway. Try other aspects of writing to mix it up. I took the time to research before starting my publishing company because I like you, really wanted to be a writer. I also knew/saw many disappointed because of the stress-induced deadlines for those wanting to make money and a career from writing. For the freelancer, especially newbies, unless you strike platinum right out of the gate (most don't ever), work more, make less and fool themselves into believing that the exposure is the thing.
Meanwhile predatory companies smelling blood know this and feel confident offering $5 an article. This sorry method still works because so many buy into it for a variety of reasons. Suppose your work load picks up, the gleanings are still miniscule. While I love writing, I also knew I could edit, layout, marketing, building websites, book signings, speaking engagements, etc.-and make solid money at it. I even cater the book signings for my clients, this gave me a refreshing change, so no two days are the same. As far as socialization, I joined a couple of networking groups which provide the human interaction, connectivity and exposure-keeping me relevant and current.
I blog for my site once a week and several times a month under pseudonyms, giving me flavor, variety, texture so I don't get bored. You do not have to start a company but give yourself more reach by thinking outside the box. I also teach writing classes, another way to gain leverage because now your students want to write and come back to a trusted source for assistance in the other aspects of their writing goals to publishing.
I can't tell you how fulfilled I am now once I realized what I was capable of. This is not a Cinderella story. It takes hard work, thick skin, second job for a bit, patience and knowing when it is time to let go of a client/potential-even when you desperately need the money. But what I can tell you is, if you peel back the layers and see what else is out there, the yield will be good for all seasons.
You hang in there."
Until next time~
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