I installed StumbleUpon this week and was surfing around the web this afternoon (instead of working on my own sites.. this is why social media is evil) and “stumbled” across a couple of blogs by writers. One was a journalist of a prestigious newspaper, another was a business consultant, and a third was an author of several books on marketing. Their blogs were all… good. Really good.
They were articulate, insightful, engaging, informative, helpful, and lots of other aspire-worthy adjectives to boot.
I came away with the feeling of… who am I to be blogging and trying to tell people what to do? I’m not as smart as these real writers.
How could I possibly make a living writing, when I am not that educated, not that experienced, and not that smart?
Then I remembered I’m already making a living, a good living thank you very much, as a writer. My websites don’t get mentioned by important newspapers or magazines (though once I got a link from a library, *strut*), but I enjoy working on them, and they do their job:
They allow me to make a comfortable living while working part time.
So, what, you may be asking, is the point of this post?
I wanted to share my feelings with you so you’ll know that many people feel they’re not good enough, or smart enough to succeed as writers.
It’s not uncommon to feel a little inadequate when reading blogs by talented and experienced people.
It’s also not uncommon to doubt yourself and your methods when you read posts by respected bloggers about how you can’t make decent money from blogging, or it’s too late for new bloggers to jump in and get noticed, or it’s pure luck if someone makes it online, or *insert other piece of pithy advice that mauls your dreams.*
When everyone seems so sure of what they’re talking about, it’s hard to feel like little old you has a chance to make it as a writer.
Here’s what I’ve learned though:
You don’t have to be the most educated or have the highest IQ to make a living from your words. A lot of people with middle-of-the-road talent make it. Some people with mediocre talent make it. Some make it really big.
Why?
Because they want it more than others, often more than naturally gifted or highly educated people. They’re driven by “constructive discontent.” They’re willing to work toward their goals every day. They keep their minds open and remain teachable. They don’t give up.
If you have something to say and can write well enough to communicate your message (and everything in the previous paragraph describes you) then you can make a living as a writer.
Oh, and by the way… the best way to get yourself out of a feelings-of-inadequacy funk is to read the work of someone who has made it and whose writing sucks by your standards. 
12 responses so far ↓
1 Carla // Oct 14, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I get what you’re saying, but for me, if I wanted to exceed as a writer, it would probably take me YEARS before I see $0.01 from it. I’m sure you more education and experience than I do to accomplish what you have accomplished so far. I understand you want to motivate, but its just not possible for everyone.
2 Dawn // Oct 15, 2008 at 8:21 am
Thanks for this! It was just the motivation I need! I keep thinking that the real goal is to enjoy myself and work on something I love. I can’t expect to be as good as everyone else.
3 Pat // Oct 15, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Very well said!
I’m not a REAL writer either, but I’ve managed to create a successful blog that earns a good amount of money, and it’s all because I believe I could do it, and no one was going to tell me I couldn’t.
Like you said, it’s about “Not Giving Up!”
So many times I wanted to quit, or was wondering if what I was doing was even going to achieve anything: from a particular post or article in in the middle of writing, or even the entire blog as a whole!
Just think of the field of dreams, “If you build it, they will come.”
4 B J Keltz // Oct 15, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I’m not concerned about money at this point. What I took away from the above article is how it speaks to our insecurities. It was soothing and reassuring. I thank you for that.
5 Julie // Oct 16, 2008 at 7:16 am
This post really spoke to me as well. Good job.
And Pat, your blog really rocks! I know nothing about the subject matter but I’m so intrigued by what you’ve built. Congratulations!
6 Pat // Oct 17, 2008 at 3:18 am
@ Julie:
Hey thanks! It’s a “study-guide” blog for those wanting to pass their LEED (Leadership and Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional test. (Mainly architects or people in the building/construction industry take it)
Yeah, it’s a very specialized niche, but it just goes to show you that you can make money writing about anything that people need help with. It’s my motto that:
“You make money only as much as you help people.”
There’s probably a better way to say that, but I think you know what I mean.
Julie, I’m very impressed with what you’ve done yourself! A wide-range of subjects, and each article is super informative!
7 Debi // Oct 18, 2008 at 2:43 pm
So glad I found your site on a day when your post is so inspiring. So much of the time I feel quite mediocre, but I keep coming back to writing, like a compulsion. It must mean something, right?
Keep up the good work,
Debi
8 G.E // Oct 19, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Doh !! I love that picture it looks just like me :S
thanks for the perk up … nice blog, I’ll be back for more
9 KJ // Oct 22, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Wow. How serendipitous that I read your blog today, when I needed a good positive kick in the keister most! Thanks so much for reminding me that I can do whatever I want to with my writing because I AM a real writer with just as much opportunity to reach my dreams as the next person. I think a large part of the success people find is due to perseverance.
KJ
http://interminablewriter.com
10 Esperanza Dodge // Jan 24, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Out of curiosity. .. what do writers, like yourself, do for medical insurance for you and the family? Sometimes I’m SOOOOOO tempted to become a full-time writer. Then other times I’m scared because I wouldn’t have “benefits” like I would in a career, such as medical insurance. I’m a single mom so I think about these things. Thanks! PS- Emailed you
11 Lindsay // Jan 24, 2009 at 6:32 pm
@Esperanza You have to pay for your own health insurance, and there are programs out there available for self-employed folks. I’m single and pay a couple hundred a month for medical and dental. If you’re going to be self-employed, you get a lot of freedom, but you do find you need to make a little more to cover these sorts of things. You won’t have an employer matching your 401k either.
12 Suz // Apr 21, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Thanks for the encouragement! I’m enjoying writing, but afraid there are too many in my niche… may need to find a new “interest” to blog about.
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