Super impressive that you have hit the window where the writing is paying you. That run rate is definitely an impressive one. I am on holiday, and have more time to read, and dream about “my desire to write again” (as one does), so this was an inspiring read for me. I won’t try and boil the ocean, I will just write a little bit per day and share it (micro blogging). This rally resonated 🙏🏾
Hi Thabo, thank you and yes, start with a small but consistent habit. Just journaling or dedicating 5-10 minutes of writing in the morning could be fun. See where it takes you. If you have a chunk of time on holidays: watch what happens if you force yourself to write a few times for at least several pages. Just write whatever comes up and work your way through the clutter until you get to what you truly desire to write.
Thanks for this as always. You have a great, authentic voice and I appreciate what you put out in the world. I would like to write more and your piece encouraged me immensely. Thank you!
Love the openness and honesty here! "the cost of living in New York is absurdly high (I could move to a cheaper place and perhaps I will, but that’s a conversation for another time)" can't wait to hear the cost-benefit analsyis for this one! :P
Thanks, Kalani. Just wanted to pre-empt a flood of 'move to Oklahoma' comments. As of right now, I enjoy being here and it's made a huge difference in my life in terms of people/growth. But who knows what's next.
too right. just my opinion as I'm the literal opposite space to you (small town, much less networking opps), but literally no place like NY especially early on in ya career/life. You'd be getting awesome random encounters and catchups daily that I get on a yearly basis lmao.
Excellent piece, thank you. A first-rate book for aspiring writers is Fitzgerald's The Last Tycoon. Even without an opportunity for a polished edit, this unfinished novel provides a wonderful mix of description and digression. Moreover, the notes in the Appendix offer a rare peak into the mind of an accomplished writer.
Thank you for sharing your writing journey. I started dabbling with writing in 2015 using another website. A year and a half ago, I found Substack and have been slowly growing my subscription base here ever since. My day job is CFO of a growing restaurant group and it takes tremendous time and effort to preform well. Despite this, waking up early each day to write my weekly posts has become the most rewarding work I do. It is the only thing since I gave up alcohol 15 years ago that tames the squirrels running about my head. I wish you continued success.
Thank you for sharing! If you were to start over now, knowing what you now know, what would be the 1 or 2 things you would focus / go all in on early as a small creator with a small audience?
Asking for someone I know (who owns a small business, works in the field 10+ hours/day, and is raising two gorgeous little girls)?
I appreciate the access to this edition to get an insight into your writing. I hear the points you make, and as someone new to writing on here (been consuming on here a lot longer), certainly admire the trade-off you make with ‘free articles’ in that; the subs buffer over that period.
To me, the most important thing is enjoying it. Followed by ability to pay the bills. I’m not sure if there isn’t a ‘hybrid’ option for someone of your ‘ilk’; writing/consulting/freelancing; thus maximising your potential to earn a decent income and enjoy the craft.
There are a good deal of bits and clips to highlight or bookmark in the article, and I always find it a great measure of a writer when one can clip multiple pieces of information from an article. All the very best moving forward.
Thank you, Dickie, and well said. I think monetizing writing directly (paid subscription/book) is a high bar (and puts a lot of pressure on the writing) and agree that balancing it with other income streams can be a viable alternative.
"You do it because you don’t know where it will lead and because you can’t know unless you keep doing it.
You do it because you feel you have to, because you can’t help yourself. Because you need to keep going to, hopefully, one day arrive at great work."
Frederik, i feel exactly the same with my work. the end goal is hiding behind so much uncertainty that only way to get within reach of it is to just carry on. as well as your description of the upward sloping bumps along the way. the lows these days are still painful, but i take comfort in knowing internally that they are just slightly better than the previous ones.
Thank you and yes, just staying in the game is so important. You're not as bad as your worst days (and don't get swept away by your best ones either). Allow yourself a moment to focus on the goal, on your inner compass. Then carry on. Wishing you all the best.
A $128k annual run-rate is an achievement - congratulations.
Thank you. Feeling very grateful that it has worked out 🙏
Super impressive that you have hit the window where the writing is paying you. That run rate is definitely an impressive one. I am on holiday, and have more time to read, and dream about “my desire to write again” (as one does), so this was an inspiring read for me. I won’t try and boil the ocean, I will just write a little bit per day and share it (micro blogging). This rally resonated 🙏🏾
Hi Thabo, thank you and yes, start with a small but consistent habit. Just journaling or dedicating 5-10 minutes of writing in the morning could be fun. See where it takes you. If you have a chunk of time on holidays: watch what happens if you force yourself to write a few times for at least several pages. Just write whatever comes up and work your way through the clutter until you get to what you truly desire to write.
Thanks for this as always. You have a great, authentic voice and I appreciate what you put out in the world. I would like to write more and your piece encouraged me immensely. Thank you!
Thank you and I hope writing will enrich your life.
Love the openness and honesty here! "the cost of living in New York is absurdly high (I could move to a cheaper place and perhaps I will, but that’s a conversation for another time)" can't wait to hear the cost-benefit analsyis for this one! :P
Thanks, Kalani. Just wanted to pre-empt a flood of 'move to Oklahoma' comments. As of right now, I enjoy being here and it's made a huge difference in my life in terms of people/growth. But who knows what's next.
hahaha yeah fair enough hey 😂
too right. just my opinion as I'm the literal opposite space to you (small town, much less networking opps), but literally no place like NY especially early on in ya career/life. You'd be getting awesome random encounters and catchups daily that I get on a yearly basis lmao.
but whatever is next, I'm sure you'll be right :)
Excellent piece, thank you. A first-rate book for aspiring writers is Fitzgerald's The Last Tycoon. Even without an opportunity for a polished edit, this unfinished novel provides a wonderful mix of description and digression. Moreover, the notes in the Appendix offer a rare peak into the mind of an accomplished writer.
Thank you for the recommendation. Ordered.
This was a great read, highly impressive and inspiring.
Thanks for your honesty and insights.
It moved me to start writing, to start this journey myself. I do not know what it will lead to but you sold me on an experiment worth trying :)
https://vonsg.substack.com/
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your journey.💪
Thank you for sharing your writing journey. I started dabbling with writing in 2015 using another website. A year and a half ago, I found Substack and have been slowly growing my subscription base here ever since. My day job is CFO of a growing restaurant group and it takes tremendous time and effort to preform well. Despite this, waking up early each day to write my weekly posts has become the most rewarding work I do. It is the only thing since I gave up alcohol 15 years ago that tames the squirrels running about my head. I wish you continued success.
Hi Bruce.
Thank you so much for sharing. What a remarkable example of discipline and commitment. Inspiring💪
Great post. Very inspiring.
Another source of inspiration could be "Politics and the English Language", a brief essay written by Orwell. It is free online : https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and-other-works/politics-and-the-english-language/
Thank you for sharing. I'll check it out.
Thank you for sharing! If you were to start over now, knowing what you now know, what would be the 1 or 2 things you would focus / go all in on early as a small creator with a small audience?
Asking for someone I know (who owns a small business, works in the field 10+ hours/day, and is raising two gorgeous little girls)?
Hi Jordan. Great question and I'll address it in another post so it doesn't get lost in the comments :)
Congratulations on raising two daughters ♥
Frederik, that would be much appreciated.
Thanks for the time and effort you put into your craft. A model worth following!
I appreciate the access to this edition to get an insight into your writing. I hear the points you make, and as someone new to writing on here (been consuming on here a lot longer), certainly admire the trade-off you make with ‘free articles’ in that; the subs buffer over that period.
To me, the most important thing is enjoying it. Followed by ability to pay the bills. I’m not sure if there isn’t a ‘hybrid’ option for someone of your ‘ilk’; writing/consulting/freelancing; thus maximising your potential to earn a decent income and enjoy the craft.
There are a good deal of bits and clips to highlight or bookmark in the article, and I always find it a great measure of a writer when one can clip multiple pieces of information from an article. All the very best moving forward.
Thank you, Dickie, and well said. I think monetizing writing directly (paid subscription/book) is a high bar (and puts a lot of pressure on the writing) and agree that balancing it with other income streams can be a viable alternative.
You don’t have to write alone!
Regular zoom meetings with other great writers can uplift your soul from the depths of draft depression.
🙏
Never done a remote writing group but it's a good idea!
"You do it because you don’t know where it will lead and because you can’t know unless you keep doing it.
You do it because you feel you have to, because you can’t help yourself. Because you need to keep going to, hopefully, one day arrive at great work."
Frederik, i feel exactly the same with my work. the end goal is hiding behind so much uncertainty that only way to get within reach of it is to just carry on. as well as your description of the upward sloping bumps along the way. the lows these days are still painful, but i take comfort in knowing internally that they are just slightly better than the previous ones.
keep writing and carry on.
Thank you and yes, just staying in the game is so important. You're not as bad as your worst days (and don't get swept away by your best ones either). Allow yourself a moment to focus on the goal, on your inner compass. Then carry on. Wishing you all the best.
Thank you for sharing 🙌🙏🏻
Appreciate you sharing and enjoyed reading this!
Very motivational and emotional at the same time. Great writing.
Thank you, Aseem 🙏
Thanks for sharing your writing journey. You've progressed a lot as a writer and I enjoy your point of view. Keep at it!
Thank you so much, Christian.