#11: The Quiet Art of Writing Part-Time In the Noisy World
5 rules I live by as an aspiring writer.
Hello friend,
Welcome to this week’s edition of Part-time Creator newsletter.
In this newsletter, I share writing online, starting a side-hustle, creator economy, and some more.
I am an aspiring writer and doing it part-time.
It took me a while to say it out loud.
It still feels a bit weird, though.
For me, writing means dedicating early mornings or weekends to practice and improve my craft.
At times, it’s overwhelming, tiring, and stressful.
I won't lie to you; it's plain hard work.
After trying different approaches and experimenting with various techniques, here I am.
Writing this newsletter on a warm Saturday morning, sipping my iced matcha latte, and basking in the sunshine.
If you are like me, writing part-time, here are a few rules I live by.
1/ Publish over perfection:
Editing my work is the most challenging and time-consuming aspect for me.
I spend hours rewriting, editing, and re-editing.
However, with time constraints, aiming for perfection is not always a good way.
There will always be typos and mistakes, no matter how much time I invest time in editing and proof-reading.
So, this year, I made a rule to publish even if I think it's not one hundred percent perfect.
As long as I can consistently write 300 words every day, I consider it a success, while still striving to minimize mistakes.
2/ Find motivation and inspiration:
If you were to ask me about my writing process or routine, honestly, I wouldn't have a concrete answer. Genuinely, I don’t.
But what I can tell you is that I let my writing flow from what I feel inside and what resonates with me on a particular day.
It was challenging in the beginning, sitting in front of my laptop for hours, struggling to translate my thoughts onto paper.
I typed, deleted, and retyped, but the words didn't make sense.
I realized that I was missing a crucial step - thinking about what exactly I wanted to write about.
Sometimes, I would have great ideas in my mind, but I struggled to translate them into coherent written pieces.
Now, even if what I write is not my best work, I keep it.
The act of writing itself is a step forward.
3/ Ask your future self:
Whenever I find myself stuck, I ask my future self, "How would you do it?"
There's a trick to this.
Most people don't want to disappoint their future selves; they strive for perfection in the future.
I leverage this mindset to my advantage.
I know that my future self is extremly confident, full of wisdom, and resilient beyond what I have in the present.
Instead of beating myself up or wondering why I'm not always filled with joy when I write, I transport myself mentally to a future where I am a happy writer & producing my best articles.
I want my future self to be proud, to be able to say atleast I tried.
I tried my best and I pursued my dreams.
And someday, I want to share these stories to my kids and grandkids.
4/ Define your 20%:
You may be familiar with the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto principle.
It suggests that 20% of your efforts drive 80% of your success.
I apply this principle in everything I do, especially in areas where I invest long hours and receive minimal returns.
Rather than working for ten low-paying clients, I focus on finding two high-paying clients who value my work.
Most often, now, I prioritize writing without worrying about whether I will become a successful writer or not.
5/ One day at a time:
When I started writing online two years ago (exactly 1000 days ago), I had no idea how long it would last.
It began as a fun hobby, and looking back, I am amazed by the consistency I have maintained.
This journey has taught me that a thousand-mile journey starts with the first step.
Taking that initial step is crucial, and the rest will fall into place.
Now, I don't worry about the next five years; writing makes me happy, and I will continue to do it until I feel otherwise.
That's my plan - to enjoy the writing journey and see where it leads me.
So far, it has been an incredible experience.
Lastly,
Writing part-time is not rocket science; it all depends on how you perceive it.
If you approach it as something you love and enjoy, it becomes easier and writing is indeed a form of art.
There is no race or competition.
You are pursuing writing to break free from the rut and routine that make you feel dull and unfulfilled.
It's a long but fulfilling journey.
Having written over 360+ articles on the internet part-time, it has been the best time of my life.
If you're considering it, I absolutely encourage you to give it a go.
Embrace any of my rules mentioned above, think long-term, and most importantly, find joy in the act of writing.
If I can do it, you can too.
All the best!
What do you think? Share in the comments.
That’s all for today.
Hope you love reading this.
Share this newsletter with your friends and anybody you feel would enjoy it.
See you next week.
Have a lovely day❤️
Love,
Ankita
For more lessons on creating part-time, Click here to grab this free e-book on Writing Tips.