BE YOUR DAMN SELF.
Alright?
I know the title sounds clickbaity as hell right now. But I’m just so sick and tired of this damn boulder I always see in most writers’ careers, including mine.
Here’s the thing.
I’m sick of selling my soul to get a few clicks online.
Tons of writers go through this at some point.
You pound the keyboard to death, writing your ass off to see what sticks. You hit “publish” about 200 times until you find what your audience likes.
You become a disciple of your niche. Your following grows.
Then…whoopie! You start selling your services.
And you sell…and sell…and sell.
*800 hours later*
Still, selling?
I’m about to rip my hair out.
I feel like my writing career is being flushed down the toilet of doom.
That doesn’t mean I don’t care about writing anymore. But selling my services constantly makes me less passionate about it.
Heck, how long has it been since I wrote a long-form article on Medium like I used to?
I’ve sliced my word count, focused too much on gaining wide appeal, and pissed my passion away.
I wish more writers would just be themselves.
I know you need to sell your course. I know you need to gain more email list subscribers. I know you need to feed others in your family.
But goddamnit, am I the only one that sees a disconnect here?
Writing about your “niche” that sells will always be a part of your arsenal. I’m not saying you shouldn’t make money.
However, there’s a reason why so many writers preach that you shouldn’t write for the money.
Passion and money are an estranged couple.
If you focus more on one, you risk alienating the other.
That sounds like a toxic relationship waiting to explode in your face.
But if we learn to give both of them the adequate time and care they need, the relationship can blossom into something beautiful, my young padawan.
I know your money-making niche isn’t ALL of who you are. Give me something more. Give me personality.
Who cares if people unfollow you for it?
It’s way better than quitting because you can’t give your passion the time of day.
It’s okay to branch out.
If you don’t, you’ll go crazy like me. And that craziness is a product of feeling stifled.
Your writing career is stifled and your personality is hidden.
Stop dumbing yourself down for the masses.
I want RAW. I want UNCUT. I want REAL.
So for the 8,000th time, be yourself.
You’ll last a lot longer.
I am early to the substack site. Have posted a few stories. Deleting hundreds of old emails. Yours hit me in my weathered
Face. The headline is enough for me . No sense hiding . Great wake up ! Jenn