Are you a sprinter or a marathoner?

Writing Etc.: Become a Writer for Hire

November 18, 2015

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~

Hey Freelancer!

Oh my gosh. You spoke, I listen.

Turns out some of you aren’t enthralled with podcasts. That’s absolutely fine. Here’s the fix:

The Notes from Minnesota Podast will reside on the http://BethAnnErickson.com space. If you enjoy inspirational podcasts, head over there and check ’em out. Oh, and if you become one of my VIP readers, you’ll get some free novels, updates, contest info, etc.

If you enjoy Writing Etc. as is, just hang out over here. Nothing’s changing. That said, I intend on occasionally post the podcasts over here… I think they could be useful for creative types. But, I’ll post them between official issues of Writing Etc.

Also, tomorrow is my big 2.5 year cancerversary appointment. Statistically speaking, this is when I’m at greatest risk for met discovery. I’m currently on top of the relapse bell curve, after tomorrow the odds of mets developing actually begin to decrease.

If they find something, I imagine my publishing calendar for Writing Etc. could be decimated again. If they don’t (exceedingly likely), I plan on kicking issues back to twice per month. (Yay! I’ve missed you.) Oh my, I’ve got some jim dandy articles on tap. 🙂

Short version: Nothing’s changing over here. With any luck, I’ll get back to our old editorial schedule very soon.

So, I think that’s it. I like today’s article. So much has changed since I started this grand cancer adventure. I talk about one particularly puzzling development in just a sec. Just scroll on down.

Onward and upward, see you next time,

Beth 🙂

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Sprint vs Marathon

Beth Ann Erickson

Today I’m going to reveal a writing hack that’ll transform your writing session into a power guzzling, word crunching, mind zapping, something or another… some crazy brouhaha… er… eh, just forget it.

What’s up with all these hacks?

Get this hack/product and you can forget writing, just talk into your computer and words will magically appear, presumably with perfect punctuation, incredible flow, and due to sheer enthusiasm, you’ll magically create a best seller.

Get this other hack and you’ll spend hours maintaining perfect multiverses (for a monthly fee), instead of allowing them to grow organically in your own mind.

Hey! This other hack will help you write millions of words every year! (Just don’t spend any time with your family.)

Seriously? Have we gone mad? I remember when being/using hacks was a bad thing.

Here’s my secret: Writers create at various speeds. It’s just the way it is. Not too glamorous, eh?

Right now, Amazon is getting flooded with “ebooks” created using hacks. And yes, they generally suck (I purposely selected that word because it best describes those books. Sorry if you’re offended.). You know why?

Great writing is thoughtful. It doesn’t follow formulas. Great writers know their audience and speak directly to them, using their language. No shortcuts for that.

I can’t help but think hacks are like sprinters who fly through their event, win the crown, then are finished. Will they go on to win again? Who knows.

Marathoners, on the other hand, understand the race is long. They can’t really hack their training, they must stick to tried and true, lifetime work.

So yea. If you want to hack, have at it. But if you want a long term career, while it’s not very glamorous, stick to what works: Write. Market. Experiment. Write some more. Strengthen your writing like a marathoner strengthens her muscles.

Make your heart pound.

Write through pain. Write when you feel great. Write when you’re scared. Write when you’re uncertain tomorrow will come.

Guard your writing time. Then write.

To me, writing is a privilege. It’s honor. It’s hope.

Writing is sanity when life becomes insane.

Good writers understand that a writing career is more like a marathon than a sprint.

Great writers realize that in the end, they only raced against themselves.

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This article is courtesy of Filbert Publishing. Make your writing sparkle, write killer queries, get published. Subscribe to Writing Etc., the free e-mag for freelancers and receive the e-book “Power Queries.” http://filbertpublishing.com

Enjoy!

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