Why I Keep Writing Even If My Stats Aren’t GREAT Yet!
Starting out as a new writer comes with a lot of mixed emotions. One part of you is so excited to pour your thoughts out for the world to read; while the other part is constantly nagged with apprehension such as, “what if no one is interested in all the things I have to write?”
I am sure I am not the only “new” writer who has experienced this. And the reality that you may just be writing things that you alone may end up reading can be unsettling (but may be necessary).
The truth is that, as a new writer, it is easy to get easily discouraged (and maybe even frustrated) when you see that your numbers are just flat-lined. The realization that people do not seem interested in reading all the great stuff you have written, is more than enough to dampen your morale to continue the art of writing.
As a new writer myself, I feel your exact same pain because we are sailing the same ship. But in spite of the obvious, I have been able to get to ‘that place’ where I do not allow my lackluster stats get in the way of my writing.
Instead, I have found ways to inspire myself to continue writing, and I am more than happy to share them with you (i.e. if we are rocking the same boat).
I had to learn to write for myself first.
It’s easy to want to write something that you think the whole world would be interested in reading. But what about you, the writer of the piece? Are you interested in reading what you have written? The truth is that if you are not, the chances are that other people may also not be interested. So, when I write, I go over my piece multiple times to really unearth the message my writing conveys to me first. If I am unable to decipher the message in the piece I have written, I end up not posting it. Therefore, realizing that I am writing for myself before anyone else, keeps me motivated to continue writing.
I learn new things and become more knowledgeable.
Sometimes when I write, I do some research on my topic of interest. And doing that enables me to learn new things. I might learn totally new information, or read about that topic from another writer’s perspective. Either way, writing allows me to broaden my scope of knowledge and learn about new trends in particular areas.
My writing just needs to make the life of one person better.
When I write, other than writing for myself, I am also looking to write for that one person whose life would become better just by reading my article. And since posting several motivating articles on my blog (www.pearlsglobalimpact.org), that goal has been met. From the people who like my posts, to the ones who take it a step further by actually commenting on them, I sometimes feel like I have won the lottery. And some of those comments actually reveal the pain that several people are having to deal with on a daily basis. And the fact that they somehow saw something inspirational in my posts, with promises of changing their lives for the better, actually is all I need to call myself a “successful writer.”
I found that I sometimes have so much to say.
In trying not to be too verbose vocally, I would rather put down all I have to say on paper (or computer). Appreciating that fact, somehow tells my mind that I am still communicating, though through a different means. And that motivates me to write with that in mind. Without putting too much emphasis on stats.
I know that Rome wasn’t built in one day.
Maybe, as new writers, the problem may be that we want instant gratification for our work. We want to be like all the other successful writers we see around, forgetting that they started writing long before we dreamed of writing ourselves. For me, I know that any successful venture requires a process. It takes time to build a legacy that would last and stand the test of time. So why rush the process? But I know that in being consistent, by writing regularly, just like any other occupational goal one is trying to achieve, the results would undoubtedly come with time.
I treat stats as nothing but numbers.
Stats are no different from the numbers we were all taught when we were beginning to make sense of this world. They can always go up and come down at any time. I treat them as though I am teaching my toddler how to count. And that is it. I wouldn’t allow myself get fixated on the number of views or likes that I receive because I know that would be counterproductive in getting me to the writing pinnacle that I desire. And which I know is indeed possible.
I look up to successful writers and learn from them.
While growing up, I was taught that you should always align yourself with people you want to be like. People you see as role models or mentors. So, because I know I want to become successful at writing, I follow other acclaimed successful writers. I read their work, stories, and also learn from their writing styles. And while I know that I may not become a successful writer overnight, one thing I know for certain is that I too can become a successful writer someday.
So, yes even though my current stats may not be great just YET, I know I am in a process. Rather than get fixated on those flat lines, this is what I would do. I would just keep writing anyway until I become a “successful writer.”
To your continued success. Cheers!!!
Evi Abada (www.pearlsglobalimpact.org)
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