I’ve been procrastinating for days. I have articles to write…not even all such boring articles, but I don’t want to write them. I have to squeeze too much information into too small a space. It takes too long. I don’t get paid enough. And while I sit here at my computer, I feel like life is passing me by.
At least my writer’s life is passing me by. All I really want to do is write one of my books, or send out one of my proposals, or submit an article or essay of my own.
Instead, I’m forced to earn a living…measly as that living might be. And that’s how it feels: like a measly living. I’m living a measly life. I’m living measly. Measly living. The full life is passing by…I’m left with a measly portion.
Recently I attended a writers conference. I watched all those other writers pitch their books to agents. I attended as a volunteer. I didn’t pitch. I was focused on being an “expert” – a professional freelance editor (which is what I am). I was trying to drum up business. They were trying to make their dreams come true.
Most days, when I am not making a living, I am busy building my “platform,” becoming “known” in my field, because that’s what the agents and publishers say you must do to get published these days. All the while, I see the other writers, the ones with no platforms, pitching their books, getting literary representation and (some) even selling their books.
I posed a question recently on Linkedin in the Editors and Writers group asking which methodology was better for getting exposure to editors, agents and publishers: Facebook, Twitter, or blogging. Most people just told me to write.
Funny, spirit most often just tells me to write. After all, writers write.
But agents and publishers tell writers to go out and speak and to build mailing lists and to gain web traffic. That makes this writer too busy to write.
And then it feels like life is passing me by, opportunities are passing me by while I try to conform to what everyone tells me I should be doing and who I should be.
Maybe its time to listen…and to stop letting life pass me by. Maybe I need to grab another portion.
Stop procrastinating. Get the job done. Then I can get my REAL job done. And live my true life (along with all those other writers.
I agree with you. Just Do It.
🙂