The Wild West of Writing

I've been on a hiatus from my blog. If you're subscribed, you may have noticed this. Maybe not, since I'm still new to blogging, and I don't have a big following yet or a simple topic you can count on. :) That's ok -- I'm finding my way and enjoying the journey.

My hiatus is not due to writer's block, feeling discouraged or lost. I've simply been shifting gears, taking online courses about the literary world, exploring Portugal and myself, and now just trying to get settled and organize my priorities. I think this New Gemini Moon is hitting this Gemini hard.

And becoming a writer on your own has its challenges.

I know, I AM a writer, because I write. I devote a significant amount of time to writing because I'm really pushing myself to write more and more, fine-tune my craft after years of not doing it, and to learn as much as possible about the field. Because I want the next step to come into form: by becoming a writer, I mean making it what I just do. Making it more of a habit. Like eating breakfast and taking showers. Just Do It, like Nike says.

And, very importantly, when I say becoming a writer I also mean by monetizing it. I love writing just for the sake of art, thought and practice, but a girl's gotta eat! Especially this girl -- I love eating. Writing is art, and some people say that money spoils art. I doubt most people would like this world as much without art, though. Good art takes time and effort. Money is a sure-fire incentive for good art. I'd love to help crush the Starving Artist stereotype.

There's a lot to learn when you're trying to make it as a successful, financially-comfortable writer. I don't have an MFA or equivalent. But I believe in myself.

Rather than the traditional grad school route, I've taken it upon myself to learn more about marketing. It's a very interesting study, especially for the cultural anthropologist that I am. To be a successful writer, it is very important to either be good at marketing or to pay someone else to market you. Even Mark Twain marketed his work. It's nothing new.

Much like the writing field, marketing is changing rapidly -- it all feels like the Wild West. So why not learn to market myself and acquire some in-demand job skills related to art while I'm at it? A modern cowgirl in my own way. That's my next step, and I've been talking about it with friends and family for awhile but I'm really starting it now. I'm feelin' the charge. Thanks Gemini Moon! You'll likely hear more from me soon. It's fun to document my journey, and it's what writers do.