How to up-level your writing for 2023
Gosh the past few years have been rough.
Covid-19 hasn’t just been a terrible virus, for a lot of people I’m talking to, it’s also put a cloud above our heads, dragged down our energy and hampered our motivation.
So many people are waiting for this year to be over, and to start afresh in 2023 - many of them with 1:1 pro writing mentoring with me (I’m nearly full for February already!).
There’s a lot of merit in that - I am really looking forward to having a thorough Christmas break, including not opening my laptop for two weeks. There’s also value in putting structures in place now so that you are ready to fire in 2023.
I know a number of you have been umming and ahhhing over joining my small group pro writing course, which kicks off this Thursday.
The things I often hear are, “I really want to do this, I know it’s where my deepest passion lies, but I have so much else on that I’m not sure I can find the time just yet.”
Or, “I have a bunch of balls in the air and I just need to sort through them before I can focus on my writing.”
What this usually points to is a lack of confidence.
There’s a good chance you may be using all these ‘busy things’ as a subconscious barrier to stop yourself from turning what you actually want into a reality.
It’s scary to take steps towards the flexible, creative, freeing future of your dreams, because it feels like there are a lot of unknowns, and staying in your comfort zone may seem like the easier option.
What’s the quickest way to remove that uncertain, excited-but-scared feeling? To stay busy with other things that you tell yourself are just as important. And definitely ignore how long you’ve been thinking about your writing plans.
I get it. I did a tonne of emails yesterday instead of prioritising myself and doing the yoga track I got dressed for at 615am. I told myself the emails were more important and I didn’t have time to spend 20mins stretching. And yet I know I want to be someone who looks after their body and creates space to slow down and be present, and that I’m more efficient when my muscles aren’t balls of knots.
So if you’re telling yourself now is not the right time to dive into an 8wk writing course, get curious about why that really is. Do you have too much on, or does it feel uncomfortable to put yourself first? Is the fear of failure shouting louder than the potential joy of success? What do you truly want?
Jump in now and you’ll get all the tools you need to make 2023 your best writing year. Hit reply if you’re ready to take the plunge. We start 1030am Thursday.
ps. today I did my yoga.
3 things my mentorship clients are asking about (and you might find handy)
Here’s what we’ve been diving into lately.
Q. Does getting a no on a pitch mean my idea sucks?
A. No! In fact if you got any kind of response from an editor, you’re on the right track. Editors mainly ignore and delete, but if the pitch is valid, they will usually respond. If it’s still a no, it means they see potential in your story but it just isn’t the right fit, or the right time to run such a piece in their publication. If you get a reply, you’ve started building an important relationship with that editor - make the most of it by reviewing what that publication has covered recently and send another pitch.
Q. What should I do with a pitch that doesn’t land?
A. Repurpose it! If you’re confident you’ve got a strong, well-researched story angle, find another publication it would suit and craft a fresh pitch - using the original as a base - to suit the new outlet.
Q. How do I increase my rates?
A. Start by figuring out what you’re worth (I can help, or you can research it), be realistic about how long you spend on the work (avoid putting down what time you’d like to be spending and put the time you’re actually spending, plus buffer time) and then make a list of what value you bring to that job. Then you’re set to start a conversation.
