1/ Hey #amwriting #writercommunity #5amwritersclub I was doing a little budgeting this morning and thinking about the coming year, and I am struggling here on what is appropriate / necessary to spend on writing. I'm not talking time, I'm talking cold hard cash.
2/ Over the past seven years I've spent money or a wide variety of writing related things; conferences, classes, podcasts (pateron), contest submissions, books (of course), travel for writers groups, editing, art for book covers, etc etc.
3/ In 2019 I've spent a few grand (not going to be specific, but more than $1k and less than $5k) and over the last seven years I've likely spent close to $20k+ (I didn't always keep detailed records on this). That is a lot of money spent on learning and networking.
4/ In many ways I've looked at this as a second education, like a grad school on a drip, but I have to wonder what is the point? My writing has certainly gotten better, and my network has grown, but I don't really feel any closer to my publishing goals.
5/ I also don't really understand how folks who don't have the cash pull this off. I mean let's get serious. I live close to NYC, can afford to go to 2-3 conferences a year, try to submit at least once a month to contests that often costs money, but brings feedback, etc.
6/ Here is the point where everyone yells 'It's all about the work!!' and you are all RIGHT! It is about the work, and the hustle, And the pluck, AND pushing to'make your own luck'... I get it. I've bought the book, listened to the podcast, attended the conference...
7/ Now what? Back to the blank page I guess.
Anyway my point is this stuff is expensive. It adds up, and it is really hard to know what adds value and what doesn't matter.
If you've paid for something that added true value to your writing career I'd love to hear it.
Anyway my point is this stuff is expensive. It adds up, and it is really hard to know what adds value and what doesn't matter.
If you've paid for something that added true value to your writing career I'd love to hear it.
8/ clearly I've struck a nerve here. The range of responses is kind of incredible 0$ (except a computer and internet hookup) to 10s of thousands of $$.
More to come...
More to come...
9/ Free things that have made a difference:
- connecting with writers via twitter
- #5amwritersclub for accountability
- library card
- podcasts including @printrunpodcast @ScreenwritersRR @draft_zero @escapepodcast and others
- honest critique partners
- connecting with writers via twitter
- #5amwritersclub for accountability
- library card
- podcasts including @printrunpodcast @ScreenwritersRR @draft_zero @escapepodcast and others
- honest critique partners
10/ expensive things that have made a difference (so far)
- conferences with other writers
- paid editing / paid critiques from pros
- a good computer / software
- conferences with other writers
- paid editing / paid critiques from pros
- a good computer / software
