Wednesday, September 7, 2016

IWSG: A Little Perspective Change...


Today is the first Wednesday of September, so it's time for another round of Insecure Writer's Support group. For those of you who are wondering, IWSG is hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. A whole lot of us have signed up for this bloghop and once a month, we share our insecurities and our encouragements.

If you would like more information or to sign up, click here


I've been mostly quiet, lately, and you don't need to scroll back far to see why. Things haven't been going well. It's been so bad, in fact, that I've started to think that my dreams of making a living as a writer will never come true. 

I've been completely without hope for weeks now, because it just seems that everything I've tried (including finding a job, or doing anything to build up my business again) comes to nothing. 

Which means that, all in all, my dreams of turning writing into a day job seemed so far away.

And that just made me sad. 

Something's been happening, though. A tiny seed of a thought have been planted by various friends saying various little things. A tiny thought that's been growing more and more every day until a tiny royalty payment put things into perspective for me. 

And the thought goes something like this. 

Suppose...
Suppose that, for all the hours I'm putting into my business, I just am not able to get to the point where the business stands on its own. Or suppose that it's just a few months away, but nothing I can do now is going to make it happen faster. 
Suppose I've done everything I could to find and contact possible clients for my available products and now it's a matter of waiting for them to come back. 
Do any of the hours I'm currently wasting waiting for feedback help me? No. 
Do I have to sit there staring at nothing while I'm waiting for feedback? No. 
Do I have anything else I could be doing that could actually add value? 

Well... 
Actually...
The fact that I'm getting any income at all from my writing means that it's actually adding more value to my life than hours spent at the office. 
In fact, this income, small as it might be, actually could be what pays the Internet so we can keep doing business. It could be a small bit towards trying something that could become something bigger. 

It could be a start. 

And I've been overlooking all that for the stupid reason that my year just didn't look the way I wanted it to.

I keep griping and moaning about not writing full-time, but if I keep in mind the idea of flexi-hours, I could have worked 40 hour weeks as a writer for WEEKS now. 

But I haven't, because somewhere in my head is this idea of all-or-nothing. And also, the idea that I needed to stabilize my business so I could use that to pay for my writing in order to become a full-time writer. 

Which is great in theory, but not if my writing income actually out-strips what I'm actually getting out of my business. 

Because if that happens, doesn't it make more sense to double down and figure out a way to 1) write more and 2) generate income for writing-related activities and 3) generate income to fund further writing and publishing endeavors? 

To me it does. 

And to me, it means I'm actually a card-carrying full-time writer as of now. 

But. 

Since "Staving Artist" is a bad look on me, I need to be more than a writer. I need to be a businesswoman who writes. 

And as a business woman who writes, I know I might have some products and services that might interest you: 

1) My writing.


If you're a reader, you might be interested in my books. Right now, all of my available writing is speculative fiction of some sort. But I have a wide variety of other genres waiting to be released as well. My books are also available at iTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and other places.

Want exclusive sneak-peaks of my writing? Then there's Patreon, where you can find out first if there's any publishing news from me, see any excerpts I post first, and even read stories I post there, all for as little as $1 a month. 

2) My knowledge.


As part of my writing and publishing journey, I've gathered about 15 years' worth of experience in what works and what doesn't in a story. 

I'm sharing advice on Patreon when asked for (as part of my $1 subscription reward) and will be posting regular vlogs about writing, which you can watch and enjoy while I (eventually) earn revenues from advertising. 

Then, I am also offering my services on Fiverr. I am offering critiques of short stories, novellas and novels. I will also help you polish your query or back-of-the-book blurb. Or your synopsis. I can even go through your query package (query, synopsis and up to five chapters) to help you find possible weaknesses in your submission. 

Right now, I'm trying to build a track record on Fiverr, so I'm offering Query/Blurb, Synopsis or critiques of up to 10,000 words, all for $5, even if you need one of the premium packages on offer. All you have to do is go to my profile, click on "Contact" and follow the instructions to get in touch with me. 


So yeah. I actually have a lot to offer people. Now it's a matter of getting the word out... 

How are things going on your end? Have you had a bit of perspective change for one reason or another? 



27 comments:

  1. Hi, I'm here from Alex's blog. Although I love the craft, I can't say the business side appeals to me. However, if it allows you to pursue your WIP full-time, then I say go for it.

    Like you, I struggled with juggling my pursuit of my craft with holding a full time job, and the latter won out. I'm working on my second novel ( I use the term "working" loosely right now), and the one conclusion I drew was I needed balance. I needed to find a job that paid well and was rewarding, while I wrote my WIP. Too much of one thing didn't work for me. I'm still struggling to find my equilibrium but hopefully, it'll come, eventually.

    Wishing you all the best on your new business.

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  2. I'm glad you had a change of mind and realized that the writing is worth it. I make penny change from my writing. I may never even get enough to pay a bill...tis the curse of getting only 40% of sales and having mostly ebooks under $5.

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  3. I love how you're constantly evolving, constantly trying new things. It's really an inspiration for me. Hope things pick up for you soon!

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  4. Way to go! And there's a smart business woman. When I saw your Fiverr announcement yesterday, I thought, "That's completely brilliant." So I'm going to pimp you out when people come asking, and in the meantime, I'm going to wish you HUGE success.

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  5. When I read your goal (at the top of the blog), I thought WOW! Goals are great. Being realistic is a downer. But it sounds like you're being flexible. One time I asked our financial planner if we needed to do anything about my writing income. His answer: when it's more than your social security, we'll talk. LOL It still isn't that much. Some months are better than others, some worse. Wishing you much success.

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  6. Great attitude Misha. I've been struggling for two years now, but I have not taken such positive actions as you have with your writing. You are inspiring. I like the way you look at and I need to reassess myself too. You have some cool ideas to help yourself that I had not really thought about because like you the way things have been I felt like there was nothing I could do but accept it. As C3PO likes to say paraphrase, "It's my lot in life." NO it is not. Thank you for the inspiration. Here is quote I have been looking at often of late, maybe it will help you too.

    "Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent." ~Marilyn Von Savant

    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit


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  7. We all have to come to terms with how to move ahead in new ways when the old ways just aren't working the way we'd like them to. Glad to read that you're doing just that.

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  8. There you go! Build up both areas, business and writing. Don't just wait - go after it.

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  9. Isn't it wonderful how taking a fresh look at your reality can change your outlook for the better? Your situation was already better than you thought it was; it just took you a while to realize it. Congratulations! May your new outlook on life bring you happiness. (And books! Lots more books!)

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  10. Sometimes, it is hard, and I won't deny that. However, I read a beautiful meditation that I now read once a week. The writer said don't get discouraged because a discouraged person can help no one including him or herself. So do everything you can to pull yourself out of the pit of discouragement. The dark cloud around you has a silver lining. Look at the silver lining instead of the middle of the dark grey cloud. Change your thinking my meditating and don't look at tomorrow or the past. Concentrate on where you are now and find the bright lining that is shining.
    All the best and I am thinking of you.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat Garcia

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  11. Good for you for finding that silver lining around the dark clouds and moving forward! Sometimes looking at things a little differently can make all the difference. Reevaluate, but never give up. You do indeed have a lot to offer. I hope time and patience bring your goals within reach. Hang in there and keep on reaching!
    IWSG Co-host at http://lorilmaclaughlin.com

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  12. You definitely have a lot to offer, Misha! Best of luck!

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  13. Congratulations on going all in. It takes courage to do that and I salute you for it. Good luck in your new business.

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  14. Happy to hear things are looking up for you. It's often all about attitude :)

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  15. You found the right direction, Misha. I'm sure you'll get where you want to be. It's just taking one little step at a time. Perseverance is key.

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  16. Go for it. I now use Fiverr myself to write full time. Since I write draft novels for customers I don't share my Fiverr profile, preferring instead to keep a bit of anonymity. I peeked at your profile and it looks quite nice. Wishing you all the best in expanding your writing earning and ability.

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  17. Misha... I am glad to hear that you are finding a reason to keep writing... you do have a lot to offer. If I actually wrote a book I would use you for sure... xox

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  18. See...you can do this...

    Hugs and chocolate!

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  19. You are awesome! You can do it. It's tough to change and adapt, but that's what we must do.

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  20. I've been in the same place lately as far as writing. It's seemed impossible and I've been down in the dumps thinking I'd never meet any of the goals I've set, etc. Once I get that way it turns into a vicious cycle. I admire your perspective change and it sounds like you have some great ideas! Good luck and thanks for inspiring me to try some perspective change of my own.

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  21. I'm so proud of you and happy to read this post! I know things have been tough (understatement of the year) and it's insanely hard to change your mindset when life keeps kicking you while you're down. But you did manage to change it anyways, and that's amazing.

    I honestly believe the best way to succeed as a writer is by approaching it as a business. Can your Fiverr venture pay your bills? Maybe, maybe not, but at least you're doing something and getting the word out. And that is awesome. Because once you get that momentum going, it's almost impossible to stop.

    *cheering for you!*

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  22. I totally feel your pain. What I've tried to do is set myself small goals and focus on tiny milestones. Not giving up on bigger dreams, but making progress on anything is still a morale booster:)

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  23. You are smart and need to give yourself more credit! This post just proves it!
    Way to go!!

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  24. I think that it's good that you're analyzing your situation from more than one perspective; I know what it's like to have "tunnel vision" and only see things one way, which can make it harder to deal with.
    By the way, did you send me an e-mail about something called empowr? I thought it might be a spam e-mail, since it spelled your name in the address as mishagerrick, but I wasn't sure.

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  25. Yeah, being an indie author/ entrepreneur is hard. Made even worse with our sucky local currency/ economy, but that's another story. I had the exact thought as you for ages. I think it's a great idea that you're offering your services. You have so much to offer and I hope the income starts pouring in for you.

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  26. I am so glad you are turning over a new leaf in perspective. I really do think Fiverr could be the thing for you, as well as just persevering in your writing and publishing. Sounds like going for an international market is a good idea, from Murees' comment. Also, your books are so amazing, so don't give up.

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  27. Boy, I know how you feel! I have no "income" from writing. It's hard to market, especially if you're inexperienced (or shall I say, simply don't know what the heck you're doing). I think my writing is good enough, it's just that getting it out and noticed is an obstacle I've not learned to get past. Yes, I get discouraged with month after month with nothing coming in (and I despise how Amazon will allow refunds on ebooks). But I won't stop writing and will do it for my own enjoyment if it comes down to that.

    Wishing you the best, and nice to meet ya. :)

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