Are You A Long Term Writer Or A Short Term Writer?

I’ve known I wanted to be a writer since the age of nine after I wrote my first short story Little Miss Meane (of which I’m now sure was mostly like a rip-off of an episode of ‘Hey Arnold’ but I digress). Ever since that first story came into my mind and I wrote it, another story just as exciting or better would come right after. I knew writing was a long-term choice for me. It feels like if I don’t write then a part of me was missing.

However, some writers are considered more short-term instead. Neither is right or wrong, but it is up to you as the writer to decide how you want your writing career to be.

If you are trying to figure out which choice is right for you read on.

Long Term Might Be You If:

You wish to make a career from your writing

If you want to turn your writing into a living then your mindset is focused more on the long-term. Sure, people can write one book and have it launch their career forever, but most authors who want to write as a career have more than one book to crank out.

Which brings me to my next point…

You see yourself as a full-time writer

Being a full-time writer is a goal I have strived for the longest of time. I would love the day when I can quit my retail job and earn income as a full time writer. To me it means freedom two ways; the first is freedom to write whatever I want (which I already have) and the second is freedom to write whenever I want. As a full time writer I can set my own schedule and be my own boss (without the proper mindset being a boss can break you). If you see yourself as an independent person who wants to escape the corporate world for good and start writing for your income then you’re definitely more of a long term writer.

You get uneasy if you don’t write for a long period of time.

I don’t know what it is but whenever I don’t write for a while it feels like my brain is gnawing at me to finish something. Or even start a new project. And this always happen after I go a long while without writing anything. It could be me not feeling productive but whatever the reason, after I have a writing session after a drought I feel so much better.

You have trouble seeing yourself long term in a different career

Can you see yourself being satisfied in a different career path instead? If you can, that’s fine. But know what you want to do with your time and life and do what you love no matter what it is.

Short Term Might Be For You If:

If writing is more like a hobby

I love hobbies and I think they are great, but I know that I’m not 100% serious about my hobbies simply because I know I love other activities (such as writing) more than my hobbies. Is writing your hobby?

You only want to write 1 or two books or series

Like I mentioned earlier in this post, if you have only one book or so inside you then it’s not too likely you’re want a long writing career unless that first book is tremendously successful. J.K Rowling, one of my favorite authors, accomplished this but it’s not likely.

You have another career as your focus

If you love something more than writing, then go for it! There is always a choice. If you have a business, for example, and sold the one book you’ve written in the back of the room would be an example of writing short term because it would have solved your purpose.

You have a stronger passion somewhere else

As mention above, if your passion lies elsewhere then you’re most likely writing for the short term. This is fine of course but it’s good to be aware and you can also change your mind.

You’re awesome either way!

Happy Writing,

Shaquanda

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