My Journey to Become a Writer 01/30/2024 Post #30

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What Did I Accomplish Today to Be a Writer?

I’ve been doing a lot of re-evaluating about which way I want to head with my writing. Before, I felt like I was in such a flurry to get stuff checked off my list; but now it seems more important to take time and really think through what I want my life to look like. I spent several hours this morning focusing on creating a business plan.

I did Day 30 of the 100 Words a Day Writing Challenge 2024 through LA Writer’s Lab.

What Am I Afraid of Doing Next in My Journey as a Writer?

I get afraid of running out of money, and feeling like a failure, and speaking up about my thoughts, and getting on people’s nerves, and squandering my life.

Stuff I find myself saying: I don’t know.
– Jody Susan

How Am I Balancing the Different Aspects of Being a Writer?

I’ve decided to take all the roles – from writing, to tech, to keeping track of money, and everything in between – and make a job description for each, then set a schedule for when I need to change hats and fill that function.

What I’m Doing About Building a Body of Work as a Writer

I didn’t write any type of stories today; but I filled about ten pages with thoughts on making a business plan, based on the first two chapters in Genesis. I think it’s fascinating how God didn’t just create the heavens and the earth – He set systems into place: heartbeats, tides, seasons. If we’re made in His image, it seems like what we create ought to reflect that wisdom.

He made things automatic, and He caused them to reproduce and feed from other aspects of what He brought into being. It’s hard for me to put my thoughts into sentences; but this is all something I’m contemplating. Maybe this topic will wind up being something I expand upon in the future.

What I’m Doing to Complete My Manuscripts as a Writer

I’m scheduled to meet with someone next week to go over my pages. “Manuscript Writer” is another title I’m trying to make a job description for. Sometimes I fiddle far too much with my manuscripts. I think if I run them through The 90-Day Novel, The 90-Day Rewrite, and The 90-Day Memoir from L.A. Writer’s Lab, that should be a sufficient amount of attention, before turning them over to other hands for input and critique.

What I’m Doing to Grow My Website as a Writer

As I worked through my business plan, I started thinking through ways I want to tighten and expand. I’m not ready to lay out that plan publicly; but I’m gaining a better perspective.

What I’m Doing to Build My Blog as a Writer

I guess being consistent with these posts is part of that. I have fallen short of my goals in the past week on some other topics; but I think I needed to, so I could stop scrambling and sit down and think sensibly.

Fun Fact About Me: I attended a Zoom Birthday party tonight and was told to wear a party hat.

I showed up appearing to have a fern on my head.

What I’m Doing About Networking as a Writer

This morning, I reached out to some of the members of my memoir group, and later met with fellow-writers to go over a manuscript together. I’ve never participated in group editing.

I have always struggled with reading comprehension when there is noise or distraction, so this has stretched my skills. Plus, stating my opinion is one of the most awkward things in the world for me to do. Editing is something I tend to have strong thoughts about, so the tension between wanting to remain silent and wanting to “make things right” is like tearing a quilt off my comfort zone.

What I’m Doing About Monetization as a Writer

I could so easily slap some ads on here for products that I like, or sign up for Ezoic. I just don’t feel comfortable with that yet. I would like to change the wording for my affiliate link disclosure, which appears automatically at the top of each post, by stating the links are there, so that I can continue to keep offering content free of charge. To me, that would feel a little less spammy.

What I’m Doing About Social Media as a Writer

There’s a lady I like on Instagram who mentioned she’s sending out her newsletter tomorrow and plans to share about her experience creating an audiobook. I’m interested in that particular content – plus the way she goes about distributing it, so I went ahead and signed up for the newsletter even though my inbox still makes me shudder. I need to empty it.

What I’m Doing About Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Writer

Today I’ve been thinking about how ironic it is that God created man, then man turned against Him; and now man has created AI and is scared AI will turn against us. It is almost as if this current fear exposes a pattern and points to creation.

What I’m Doing to Stay Organized as a Writer

I finished listening to “The E Myth Revisited” this morning. I thought it got a little “woo-woo” at the end (no offense, just sayin’); but overall, I really appreciated the advice Michael Gerber gave about sitting down and writing a job contract/description for every position when planning a business – even if one person is filling multiple roles. I’m hoping to follow those instructions tomorrow.

Looking Back at My Writing Journey

Sometimes I feel like I’m swimming in a sea of unshared manuscripts – some of which, I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to disclose. It’s hard to believe much will come of all that work; but I still feel like that’s where my focus needs to be.

I wonder when it will ever not be scary to want to be a writer.

Any Other Thoughts on Becoming a Writer, Random Rants, Tales, or Trials…

Not really – it’s getting late.

Thanks for reading what I’m writing,

Jody Susan

Does AI Support Creation or Evolution or Remain Neutral?