Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Hey everyone. It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means it's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post. For those of you who don't know, the IWSG is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. Once a month, we share our insecurities, then visit each other and encourage each other. You're more than welcome to sign up. For more information and the entry list, please click here.


This month's question actually ties in quite nicely with my insecurities... 

In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself five years from now, and what’s your plan to get there?

I'd actually like to be writing (and doing writing-related activities) full-time by the end of next year. (Actually, I'm basically working as if I'm full-time already, but it'd be nice to actually make a living from it.)

Five years from now, I'd like to be making a very comfortable living from my writing.

As for my plan to get there:

I'm using my writing skills to freelance as an editor/beta reader/article writer on Upwork and Fiverr. I'm also working on building a Patreon following, and obviously I'm selling books. Right now, I'm putting all of the money I'm generating back into making more money (E.G. through marketing, or through paying for products that aid me in writing, editing etc.)

Eventually, I'll hopefully be in a place where my writing earns enough for me to make a living. And actually, it's not all that impossible. The lucky thing is that I live in South Africa, which means I'm earning in Dollars and living in Rands. So, if I managed to make $500 a month after expenses, I'd actually have the same income as a good starting office job salary. (And 2.5 times my country's minimum wage.)

My insecurity right now, though, is my life at the moment. I'm not going to go into exactly what's going on right now, but every time it feels like we've finally clawed our way out of the shit we'd been dragged into, something comes by to shove us back in.

So at the moment, I'm trying not to feel like I'm never going to get anywhere again, but the thing is, the thought is there. It exists. And the only way for me to make it go away is by pushing through and working anyway to build up the life I want.

It'd just be nice if I didn't need to worry as much.

How are you doing? Do you set five year goals? 

32 comments:

  1. Ah, yes, the feeling of taking one step forward and two steps back. I suppose that is what gives us purpose in life.
    Best of success with your writing goals and especially the marketing that comes after.

    Enjoy the holidays and Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  2. Being a business owner means a lot of investments. Done right though, it snowballs.

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  3. Sending you lots of strength to get you through the tough times. Wishing you lots of success with your writing plans. You can do it!!

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  4. I would love to write full-time and be compensated for it nicely! I wish you tons of success in the coming year.

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  5. You seem very focused in terms of what you want to achieve and how you'll achieve it. I'm impressed :-) It's great that the exchange rate and cost of living in South Africa works in your favor so that your money goes a lot farther. Cheers - Ellen

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  6. You are one of the most organised, focused, committed, and resilient people I know. If anyone can do it, I know you can. Life is hard and frustrating at times, and sometimes, rather than look up the hill at how far we have to go, we need to look back down and appreciate how far we've already come.

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  7. Worrying is what brings us into the shitter, so to say!!

    It'd be awesome to make a living out of writing. I do the same with marketing. Whatever I make I put back in, and then some. Wishing you success in your endeavors!!!

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  8. I'm sure that in five years, you'll have reached all the goals you've set for yourself. Like all our favourite fictional heroes: it's only the degree of trouble you're in that changes, but eventually you'll be victorious. All the best for your writing endeavours.

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  9. I also hope to make enough through writing and editing to support myself. Right now, like you, anything I make goes back to marketing, etc.

    Thank you so much for signing up for my blog hop! :D

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  10. Misha, you can do this! I think many of us have the same goal in mind. It's great to have such a supportive network such as Blogdom.

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  11. isn't that always the way things are going good then something rips it away ! but you have great goals and I know you can do it if you keep at it !

    thanks for stopping by my Cradle Rock vampire post at Heathers place

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  12. I think life tends to flow that way. It ebbs and flows. The last few months have pure crap for me and my family, and then like a gift the tides have turned. It did my heart good to see that your writing is making you decent money. Thank you for sharing that!

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  13. I love how organized and committed you are to this. It's an inspiration. Wishing you all this success in the world on this journey. You deserve it!

    I tend to set more one-year goals than five-year goals, but I did give it a go for today's post.

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  14. Life is like that, and I dread to think of what next year is going to bring. Yet we must keep pushing forward. You are a fabulous writer. You can do this! :)

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  15. Lots of good wishes for all your goals! I've been following you for long and know you can do it!

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  16. Here's to getting that full time job of writing to pay the bills. I wish you all the luck.

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  17. Hi Misha,

    It's wonderful to hear you sounding more confident and pumped about your goals! You've had such a tough year, but I'm sorry to learn your struggles are still ongoing. :(

    You're trying so many different avenues to success that one is bound to hit. And you killed NaNo! I wish you the best of luck, always.

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  18. Ah, that is nice about the dollars going further as Rands. It takes time to build a business, but I know you have the dedication to do it.

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  19. I have an envelope marked for 2019 that I did for an Oprah challenge. So in less than three years I will open it and see what my 2009 self thought I'd achieve by 2019. No pressure. Glad you are making good money and all the best solving your private issues Misha.

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  20. You have a great, very practical approach to reaching your goals, Misha. I believe you will succeed. All the best!

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  21. Misha, I do wish you didn't have to go through so much, you really seem to have had a great deal on your plate... I do think you can attain your desires, just keep working at them and you will get there xox

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  22. I've definitely felt like that . . . a few weeks ago, actually. Just recently, things have looked up - not phenomenally, but enough.
    Best wishes on your goals and happy writing in 2017!

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  23. At least your efforts to achieve your goals is visible across many platforms! That's impressive. I hope the crap that you're getting shoved into gets resolved/dried up/wiped off sooner rather than later.

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  24. One step at a time, just keep moving forward, all thing eventually work out. Focus on the positive and hold onto it. You're doing great. Hope things get better soon. Cheering you onward.

    Happy Hollidays
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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  25. You're working hard, Misha. I wish you every success! May you reach your goals.

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  26. I'm living in Egypt, so I'm in the same boat. All I need is $500 a month and I'd be making a comfortable living. But I'm far away from that now and I'm not holding my breath. LOL! Have a great weekend!

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  27. I hope the things that are causing you worry finally go away!

    Wishing you the best of luck with your five year plan. I would love to one day be able to write full time. It doesn't seem like it will happen anytime soon- but I keep working towards that goal. :)


    ~Jess

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  28. Sounds like you've got a solid plan in place - I just hope life starts to treat you a bit better. Best of luck!

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  29. Wishing you lots of success with your writing plans. You can do it.

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  30. I understand the need for folks to think 5 years ahead, but for me writing needs to be an end in itself. If I enjoy what I'm doing today, then it's all good. Hope all your writing dreams come true! Happy holidays:)

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  31. Great goals and you will do it too. All the best!

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