The longer I dabble and work in the writing profession, the less I understand writers. We are so emotional. We approach writing as if it is something personal. But then we want to enter into the very different world of publishing—we want to sell our work. But we don’t actually want to do any selling. We would rather not develop a marketing plan for our book projects or keep pitching our article ideas to magazine editors. Heck, most wannabe freelance writers and hopeful authors find even the idea of writing a query letter distasteful.
As I see it, there are stages of writing and categories of writers. Where do you belong?
• You write purely for your own enjoyment with no desire to share your work.
• You love writing and would like to justify doing more of it by using it to generate money—to supplement your income or earn a living. But you really don’t want to get involved with heavy duty marketing or promotion.
• You don’t have a writer’s heart, but you see writing as a way to make a quick buck.
• You have figured out how to create a business around your love for writing and you’ve discovered that you love marketing and promotion almost as much as you enjoy the process of writing.
Do you recognize yourself in this list? Are you comfortable with your current abilities and level of writing interest? Or do you want more? The thing is, you can’t have more without giving more—without sacrificing more. If you are currently writing for pleasure, but you are not content, maybe you’re ready to take it up a notch. If you want to earn a living or, at least, supplement your income through your writing, there is so much more that you could be doing. And that’s what this blog, my writing/publishing-related books, my editorial/consulting services, my lectures/workshops and my online courses are all about. Check me and my work and offerings out at: http://www.matilijapress.com
If you are ready to make the sacrifices necessary to shift from pleasure writer to successful published author or working freelance writer, let me help you make the transition. All it takes, besides the sacrifices I keep mentioning, are knowledge of the industry, an understanding of the business and a strong willingness to learn and to step outside your comfort zone.
This is the last day of my discount offer for my on-demand, online courses. Sign up today for my:
• Article-writing course
• Self-publishing course
• Book proposal course
• Book promotion course.
PLFry620@yahoo.com for more information.
http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm
Be sure to click on the link, “How does an online course work?”