Transforming Your Writing Approach: A Balanced Strategy
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Writing Balance
In the realm of writing, every word you craft can often feel like it comes at the expense of another. The challenge lies in determining where to dedicate your time and energy effectively.
For many writers, including myself, the reality is that we often squeeze our writing endeavors into the brief moments between our obligations. Most of my time is consumed by necessary tasks, leaving only small windows for the writing I aspire to do. My goal is to flip this scenario around. Below, I outline my strategy for making the most out of my writing time to help shape the life I envision.
Short Form Writing
My focus on short-form content has involved creating articles for platforms like Medium, newsletters on Substack, and various social media posts. This type of writing has demanded a significant portion of my time recently. However, changes on Medium have drastically reduced my earnings, prompting a reevaluation of how I allocate my writing hours. As a result, I’ve decided to cut back on this effort to concentrate on more rewarding writing pursuits.
It might seem like I'm retreating just because the game has become challenging, but this shift has actually pushed me beyond my comfort zone. Medium had become too simple, and now that it's more demanding, I prefer to tackle those challenges on my own terms.
Client Work
I recently joined Upwork and have landed a long-term client. We share a passion for gardening, and I genuinely enjoy the content we create together. While I don’t expect to become wealthy from this collaboration, it will effectively replace my Medium income.
I’m dedicating a small portion of my writing time to client proposals and projects. This type of work not only offers a rewarding challenge but also provides valuable feedback—a refreshing change from solitary writing.
Blogging
Since I began my journey on Medium, I've neglected my blog, which has continued to draw a modest audience of fifty to one hundred views daily, netting me a few dollars through Amazon affiliates each month. There’s untapped potential in my blog, but it also demands considerable time investment. I plan to dedicate an hour weekly to refreshing my blog content and refining my calls to action.
Long Form Writing
I've reached a significant milestone in my writing journey: I've committed to writing a book. After delaying this ambition for far too long, it’s finally time to roll up my sleeves and get to work. You may not see me here as often because I’m deeply engaged in building my literary world. Currently, I have about ten thousand words drafted, marking one-tenth of my progress.
I’m writing this book primarily for myself—to demonstrate that I can achieve this goal. My aim is to complete the manuscript by the end of the year; it’s time to clear my mind of this project.
The Sum is Greater
While writing may seem like a zero-sum game in terms of time and quantity, the various aspects of my writing journey actually enhance one another. My work on Upwork and the process of writing my book enrich my short-form content, allowing me to share more insights with fellow writers. The more we write, the better equipped we are to support others who share our passion.
Ultimately, the key is to invest your time and energy in ways that align with your vision for a fulfilling life.
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Chapter 2: Community and Collaboration
Writing is NOT a Zero Sum Game | Supporting Your Peers
In this video, we explore the idea that writing success is not a competition. When one author thrives, it creates opportunities for all. Discover how supporting peers can lead to collective growth.
Writing isn't a zero-sum sport - when one author succeeds we all do!
This video delves into the collaborative nature of writing and publishing. It emphasizes that individual achievements can uplift the entire writing community, encouraging an atmosphere of shared success.