The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh. July's co-hosts are Nicki Elson, Juneta Key, Tamara Narayan, and Patricia Lynne. Please visit the other participating blogs.
Optional IWSG Day Question: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?
Ultimate Goal #1: Take over the world, Pinky.
Oh, whoops, wrong list. Writing goals, writing goals, where are you? Ah, here is the list.
My current ultimate writing goal is to produce enough work that sells to supplement my retirement in 24+ years. When I first started writing with publication and profit in mind, I had hoped to eventually make enough money to write full-time, but I've decided I'd rather not have my main income tied to the whims and fancies of readers and retailers. The market is too unreliable for my anxieties to put all my faith in my books selling. But it would be nice to make enough where I could retire early.
Of course, most days I'd settle for breaking even. Heh.
What are your insecurities this month?
So my proofreading goal didn't quite work out as planned. I was placed on a new medication that drained me of all my energy. I struggled to just stay awake at work and get the day job work done. *sighs* My energy levels are a bit iffy still, but I think I'm doing a little bit better. *crosses fingers* This month's goal is to finish proofreading all 571 pages of Elements of Untethered Realms.
What are your goals this month?
2018 Stats
20,257 words written
17,708 words edited
106,163 friends' words edited
34 comments:
Sounds like a smart game plan to use your writing to supplement retirement income. It does seem quite risky to put all your eggs in one basket and depend solely on writing.
Loved your 2018 stats at the end. Will you also give us updates on your plans to take over the world :-)
Supplementing is good. That's all my income from books has ever been.
I'm all for an extra, passive income. =) Breaking even is good too. LOL! We push uphill until suddenly we're gliding downhill, eh?
I'm still hoping to make any kind of income from my books! I failed so badly at marketing, and it seems an uphill battle to correct that.
You made me laugh about Pinky! :D
Sounds like a great plan. I used to think I wanted to eventually write full-time too but now I am happy with my job and hope it stays that way. Retiring early would definitely be nice though.
Hahaha, love the Pinky and the Brain reference! XD
And gosh, know what you mean about how stressful it is to have your income tied to the whims and fancies of readers/retailers. My own anxiety gets triggered all the time because of how unreliable my art career is. So, not surprised at all you don't want to put that kind of stress on yourself.
As for Blogger, they haven't been notifying me of comments for at least a month now. I have to either check my blog or the dashboard to know if anyone has commented. Sorry to hear Blogger has been weird for you lately, too!
And gosh, I'm even sorrier to hear about how drained you've felt lately. :( I hope you continue to feel better to the point where you're able to achieve your proofreading goal!
Trust me, you don't want to rely on book sales. LOL
The job and medication may be getting you down now, but you have many years to lay the foundation for supplemental income.
That's the hard truth about writing for money: it's very fickle. You never know what will take off or how long it will last.
Breaking even sounds good to me. As long as I can spend hours lost in my stories. ;-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
Making any money at writing is tough. if you make anything at all from art, then you're golden in my book. Hope that you feel better soon too:)
I love a good Pinky and the Brain reference! Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Pinky?
And breaking even would be so nice.
Best of luck with your proofreading goals. I personally have to stop procrastinating on some formatting that's been waiting to be done for a couple of months now.
Great stats and work done!
I love #1 - Pinky and the Brain! :)
I told my husband I wanted to take over the world just last month, but what I really meant is that I wanted to clear out the jungle of blackberry bushes and ivy (evil ivy) from our yard. :)
I hope you feel better soon!
My goals this month: Massive yard work (Kill all ivy, trim back the blackberries), plans to renovate the kitchen in place (there's a story there), and 15,000 words of writing. It's time to work, now that I finally feel mostly better.
Being able to retire with writing sounds like a great goal.
I hope your energy picks up!
Pinky and the Brain!
But yeah, I remember reading somewhere that to ask your writing income to be your primary source of income when you're not JK Rowling isn't the way to treat your writing with respect or something. But it's fickle! But a supplement sounds good!
That's a reasonable goal!
Blogger hasn't been sending me email notifications of comments either. I guess I'm not the only one!
Sounds like a good plan to me. Happy IWSG Day,
So, no world domination?
I'm retired (blessed with an early out from the rat race) and hope to build my career to the point where I can make 1K per month from my writing. Am I mad? Delusional? Dunno, but if you're going to dream, dream big, eh?
I can totally relate to the changing goals. And I agree not to rely on the ups and downs of writing to support yourself. I can only do that now as a contract writer because of my career as an attorney. I'm planning to keep this job to pick up extra but less money when I'm ready to slow down with work.
Good luck with your health and medication challenges.
I laughed at your Ultimate Goal. My oldest son used to watch Pinky and the Brain. Not many writers can live off what they make. Even those published with big traditional houses don't necessarily make a living. You have a good plan. Hope your energy rebounds.
Breaking even is an amazing fete! When you do, order Champagne and call all of us. :-0
I'd never be able to support myself with my writing. I think you have the right idea.
Happy 4th.
Book sales are fickle. I’m still looking for that break out novel though. It could happen. Lol.
I like the idea of supplementing retirement with writing income. Do what you like and feel a little added benefit. Hope you feel better soon and can get your proofreading done.
As writers we hardly make money from our books, its our other writing we do that keeps us going.
My writing will always be a secondary income and I'm fine with that. It means I'm not stressing out and going mad over whether it's selling and it remains something that's fun. I'm lucky to have a steady editing gig, so at least it's related. Hope they get your medication sorted out, it sounds rough, and good luck with the proofreading!
The industry is so erratic. You are smart and realistic when it comes to your writing career.
Hope your energy levels continue to improve. Your 2018 stats are impressive! Best of luck with those 571 pages - how many words will that add?
I don't want to take over the world – wouldn't mind taking over some shelfspace in bookstores and libraries worldwide though.
A little more income from writing would be great, but it is fickle. I hope to get to where I can retire comfortably with my writing. I'd like to be able to buy a castle, but writing full time was stressful. Writing for fun and because I love it is better. Hope you feel better soon.
Ha, world domination is a goal of mine, too! JK :) Sorry your meds are making you feel crummy. Hope your energy is back soon!
Good luck with your writing goal. By all means, take over the world. We might do better with you in charge than with all those self-important men who are in command now. I'd definitely vote for you.
Sounds a good idea to plan ahead!
You're a fantastic far planner. I think for most of us that supplimenting the income is best. :)
My goals this month have been to submit my polished picture book. And I did! But now, I realize I need two more picture books polished. Heh.
Post a Comment