Thanks for the encouragement, Linda. Two things I do on Friday morning--check my email for "Hello Writer." If it's not there, I go to Substack and see if it's up. If I could make people do this, I could make a living as a writer. I think I can.
What a nice thing to say, Gary. Thank you. In the beginning it's all about the titles. When they don't know your name yet, the title brings them. Once they know your name, that's all they need. You can do it. :)
Oh I promise you my mom did not approve of me writing. Flat out told me I am irresponsible. The compliment was a one time thing, which is why it meant so much. And not just mom. My sisters sent me job listings for YEARS. Finally quit when I'd reply and ask why I'd take a cut in pay, send me stuff that pays better than what I make. lol
After two published novels, 36 published short stories, and about 200 blogs, my brother told me he was surprised I didn't write professionally. What is it about writing that people don't think it's work? That's a rhetorical question because we've all been there.
I started writing and submitting in 1980. We spent more on paper, printer ink, envelopes, and postage (had to include postage for rejected manuscripts with the submission) than I ever made from sales.
Your experience matched mine, except you sold enough to pay bills.
After years of caretaking, I wrote a new book in 2021. My Harlequin editor loved it. Praised my writing. Rejected it. Too many characters and subplots for category romance.
The rejection flattened me.
I submitted it again this summer. It takes time to get over what I expected would be a sale with a request to write more books.
The response came in email. A form rejection.
So I'm flat again.
And my wonderful book--a transition from category to women's fiction--waits in my computer for me to scrape myself off "bottom" and bounce back. Again.
I will, just as you did, over and over. Eventually.
I'm a writer. I have to write. Even if no one reads my novels.
Yes, the complainers, please shush yourselves. Like this line: "You know why we say fingers crossed, yeah? Because hope is the thing with feathers." I think you'd enjoy my columns if you have time, I'm multiple decades into making a life associated with writing work too
Both my mom and my Aunt (my father's sister) told me to write my stories. I was in my 50s and they made sure that no-one else was around to overhear. Their words keep me going. I've seen what fame came do and I don't want that. Some fortune? I've got that. Making a living a writing would choke me? So I earned a living from talking to people on the phone.🙃
No, it was my desperation job which started at $7 an hour and is now triple that. I'm a survey interviewer at a Social Science (non-profit). I ask survey questions and type the open-end answers or probe for the other responses. 25 years later, it is the perfect job for me and I've saved two lives through persuasion. Talking to strangers is my superpower. They call it "building rapport." With practice I'm able to change the pace of my speech and my vocabulary. These year, we've been using a phone translator company. They employ native speakers and it's been wonderful. We can finally get their opinions instead of thanking them for answering and hanging up. 25 years of that was frustrating. Key insight: Americans are impatient.
Well, there's writing and there's writing. It's a bit like saying you're a professional woodworker. Fine cabinetry? Luthiery? Construction joinery? Wood sculpture? Assembling flatpack kitchens?
I'm not just being a contrary bastard here: I've made a good, stable income from writing since I went freelance in 1996. Okay, in the early days I did a lot of editing too (what I'm actually trained in), but the bulk of the money has always been in writing – language courses.
And once I moved away from writing for a fee, and started writing for royalties, they started mounting up. And up. And when you have 40+ books on your backlist still in print, across a few different publishers and markets, income becomes predictable – and should go on for several years after you stop publishing new books.
It pays for my fiction writing hobby too, which these days I spend more time on than the 'day job'.
Writing schoolbooks is no more and no less 'writing' than journalism or fiction writing. You need a well-defined field of expertise to write about in the first place, but that applies to all writing, doesn't it?
Nobody's going to like it when I say this, but writing for a living is NOT hard for me. It's fun and well-paid. It's always been a lot easier than working in an office with people I don't like, for a boss I don't respect, on a project I don't believe in.
Your comment is awesome. I'm glad it's not hard for you. Fun and well paid sounds fantastic. That's the thing about writing, there are so many different ways to get paid to write sometimes it's down to finding the best way for each of us. If I'd known how to dip my toes into what you're doing, I'd probably have done the same. Also? The contrary bastard line made me laugh.
I've been making a living from words for 16 years and I completely agree! Writing is such a roller coaster and that's really hard some days, but I can't not write. I actually still send off pitches that I have to wait months for--my last one I waited 6 months, got a yes and wrote the piece, waited another 2 weeks and got paid a month later! We're very spoilt on Medium with the quick response times and payments.
Omg Kelly, I am so impressed. You're so right, places like Medium spoiled us a little. And pay buttons for small writing jobs and whoosh straight into the bank. Although I do still get checks in the mail from one long standing ongoing client.
I always find it's easier to write the article than it is to write the pitch. So I'd write the article, send out the pitch, and then try to sell the article at the same time. If the pitch came back approved, I'd just write a new version of the article.
Those of us who are contrary. lol. I sometimes sent them together. If you like this pitch, the article I'm pitching is right behind it. That worked surprisingly often. But also, it helped once an editor knew me.
Thanks for posting. Having someone believe in your writing and support is everything. I may get discouraged, but I will always write. I never attempted to publish anything, I don't know where start lol
Just here. I have about 64 posts on Substack since March. I started writing since I was 6 and I started again a year ago. I've been thinking of trying Medium
Omg, girl!! You need to be getting paid at Medium. lol. Don't stop writing here, but just add Medium to the mix. I would love to help you get started, send a couple of suggestions to help you start strong, not struggle like I did when I started there. I just sent you my email in a private message. :)
I feel like I will read this a few more times. Something about the way you write, Linda, really drew me in.
Agreed!
Thank you for the wild and crazy restacks. I appreciate you. :)
What a nice thing to say, thank you. :)
Thanks for the encouragement, Linda. Two things I do on Friday morning--check my email for "Hello Writer." If it's not there, I go to Substack and see if it's up. If I could make people do this, I could make a living as a writer. I think I can.
What a nice thing to say, Gary. Thank you. In the beginning it's all about the titles. When they don't know your name yet, the title brings them. Once they know your name, that's all they need. You can do it. :)
Your comment about how writers need someone to believe in them is so true. Your mother was a gem. Mine alas still (at 94) disparages my craft.
Oh I promise you my mom did not approve of me writing. Flat out told me I am irresponsible. The compliment was a one time thing, which is why it meant so much. And not just mom. My sisters sent me job listings for YEARS. Finally quit when I'd reply and ask why I'd take a cut in pay, send me stuff that pays better than what I make. lol
So many great words of wisdom in this piece. Golden threads in a magic tapestry- thank you
Thanks Jeni :)
After two published novels, 36 published short stories, and about 200 blogs, my brother told me he was surprised I didn't write professionally. What is it about writing that people don't think it's work? That's a rhetorical question because we've all been there.
I am laughing, Tom.
Yes!!! I ask this all the time. I WORK as a writer. Why don't people get that it's a job?
I know, right? Nah, she's just at home being a lazy butt. lmao
I started writing and submitting in 1980. We spent more on paper, printer ink, envelopes, and postage (had to include postage for rejected manuscripts with the submission) than I ever made from sales.
Your experience matched mine, except you sold enough to pay bills.
After years of caretaking, I wrote a new book in 2021. My Harlequin editor loved it. Praised my writing. Rejected it. Too many characters and subplots for category romance.
The rejection flattened me.
I submitted it again this summer. It takes time to get over what I expected would be a sale with a request to write more books.
The response came in email. A form rejection.
So I'm flat again.
And my wonderful book--a transition from category to women's fiction--waits in my computer for me to scrape myself off "bottom" and bounce back. Again.
I will, just as you did, over and over. Eventually.
I'm a writer. I have to write. Even if no one reads my novels.
Thanks for sharing. Made me bounce a little!
Hugs
Linda
You will. It's what we do. Scrape ourselves off the floor. Try again. Because we can't not do it.
Working my mind around a plan for the editor who took over my editor's writers.
Hugs
Linda
Harlequin is tough. Tight requirements there. Don't be too discouraged, Linda. They get so many submissions.
<3 <3 <3
Writing something worth reading often takes guts. Producing such works can leave you gutted.
You are so right. I will second and third that.
Yes, the complainers, please shush yourselves. Like this line: "You know why we say fingers crossed, yeah? Because hope is the thing with feathers." I think you'd enjoy my columns if you have time, I'm multiple decades into making a life associated with writing work too
Both my mom and my Aunt (my father's sister) told me to write my stories. I was in my 50s and they made sure that no-one else was around to overhear. Their words keep me going. I've seen what fame came do and I don't want that. Some fortune? I've got that. Making a living a writing would choke me? So I earned a living from talking to people on the phone.🙃
Okay, you know I have to ask, right? So, tell me about earning a living talking on the phone. Consulting, I assume?
No, it was my desperation job which started at $7 an hour and is now triple that. I'm a survey interviewer at a Social Science (non-profit). I ask survey questions and type the open-end answers or probe for the other responses. 25 years later, it is the perfect job for me and I've saved two lives through persuasion. Talking to strangers is my superpower. They call it "building rapport." With practice I'm able to change the pace of my speech and my vocabulary. These year, we've been using a phone translator company. They employ native speakers and it's been wonderful. We can finally get their opinions instead of thanking them for answering and hanging up. 25 years of that was frustrating. Key insight: Americans are impatient.
Well, there's writing and there's writing. It's a bit like saying you're a professional woodworker. Fine cabinetry? Luthiery? Construction joinery? Wood sculpture? Assembling flatpack kitchens?
I'm not just being a contrary bastard here: I've made a good, stable income from writing since I went freelance in 1996. Okay, in the early days I did a lot of editing too (what I'm actually trained in), but the bulk of the money has always been in writing – language courses.
And once I moved away from writing for a fee, and started writing for royalties, they started mounting up. And up. And when you have 40+ books on your backlist still in print, across a few different publishers and markets, income becomes predictable – and should go on for several years after you stop publishing new books.
It pays for my fiction writing hobby too, which these days I spend more time on than the 'day job'.
Writing schoolbooks is no more and no less 'writing' than journalism or fiction writing. You need a well-defined field of expertise to write about in the first place, but that applies to all writing, doesn't it?
Nobody's going to like it when I say this, but writing for a living is NOT hard for me. It's fun and well-paid. It's always been a lot easier than working in an office with people I don't like, for a boss I don't respect, on a project I don't believe in.
Your comment is awesome. I'm glad it's not hard for you. Fun and well paid sounds fantastic. That's the thing about writing, there are so many different ways to get paid to write sometimes it's down to finding the best way for each of us. If I'd known how to dip my toes into what you're doing, I'd probably have done the same. Also? The contrary bastard line made me laugh.
I've been making a living from words for 16 years and I completely agree! Writing is such a roller coaster and that's really hard some days, but I can't not write. I actually still send off pitches that I have to wait months for--my last one I waited 6 months, got a yes and wrote the piece, waited another 2 weeks and got paid a month later! We're very spoilt on Medium with the quick response times and payments.
Omg Kelly, I am so impressed. You're so right, places like Medium spoiled us a little. And pay buttons for small writing jobs and whoosh straight into the bank. Although I do still get checks in the mail from one long standing ongoing client.
I always find it's easier to write the article than it is to write the pitch. So I'd write the article, send out the pitch, and then try to sell the article at the same time. If the pitch came back approved, I'd just write a new version of the article.
Those of us who are contrary. lol. I sometimes sent them together. If you like this pitch, the article I'm pitching is right behind it. That worked surprisingly often. But also, it helped once an editor knew me.
That's a good strategy! I never thought to do that.
Thanks for posting. Having someone believe in your writing and support is everything. I may get discouraged, but I will always write. I never attempted to publish anything, I don't know where start lol
Oh now I am curious. Do you write on the internet anywhere? Medium is a pretty easy place to start if you don't write online at all yet. :)
Just here. I have about 64 posts on Substack since March. I started writing since I was 6 and I started again a year ago. I've been thinking of trying Medium
Oh you're here - how fun! Hang on, popping over to visit your Substack. Then I'll come back with suggestions for Medium :)
Omg, girl!! You need to be getting paid at Medium. lol. Don't stop writing here, but just add Medium to the mix. I would love to help you get started, send a couple of suggestions to help you start strong, not struggle like I did when I started there. I just sent you my email in a private message. :)
Thank you!
I simply cannot not write ✍️ thank you for this validation.
I also picked up some tips!
Thanks 😊
Peace
You made me laugh. You're very welcome -- and I'm glad you picked up some tips, too.
Absolutely, especially anyone who’s trying to sell you something
I’m always grateful for your words and the gratitude they spread. Thank you.