Transforming Dreams into Digital Success: My Writing Journey
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Chapter 1: The Path to Becoming a Paid Writer
Reflecting on my journey as a writer, I often pondered what it would take to thrive as an independent, versatile writer. My inspirations included literary giants like Langston Hughes, James Patterson, and Christopher Nolan. Although I recognized my writing skills—helping classmates with their essays, gaining admission to graduate school with my personal statement, and excelling in AP English—I doubted my creativity and business acumen to monetize my writing. However, in 2020, I stumbled upon Medium and was captivated by its potential. That was the pivotal moment I chose to pursue a career as a professional writer.
The Early Struggles
Initially, my attempts at writing left me feeling as bewildered as the cat in this image:
The first platform I contributed to, The Good Men Project (GMP), set a high standard for article submissions. I faced numerous revisions on my initial drafts, which felt like blows to my self-esteem. Along with formatting challenges and strict guidelines, the fear of rejection loomed large. Nonetheless, I committed to improving my craft, eagerly learning from every available resource to enhance my writing quality on Medium and beyond.
Emerging Victories
Over time, my dedication paid off as I was appointed a weekly columnist at GMP. Shortly thereafter, I signed my first writing contract with the company, encouraged by the CEO herself to accept a role as an executive editor. While collaborating with GMP, I dedicated time to honing my skills on Medium, exploring what resonated with readers and mastering the platform's intricacies.
Learning from the Best
By engaging with prominent writers like Ayodeji Awosika, Eve Arnold, Nicolas Cole, and Tim Denning, I learned to analyze their work as coaches dissect game footage, revealing valuable insights into effective writing across digital platforms.
Taking Bold Steps
To achieve meaningful growth in any endeavor, one must consistently practice existing skills while also embracing new challenges. Many writers hesitate to take significant risks due to concerns about their audience size or income potential. In my case, I focused on personal development, applying insights gained from GMP and Medium to my writing on Quora and networking with peers on LinkedIn. I also maintained a steady writing pace on Medium, reaping some benefits along the way.
Participating in Medium's inaugural Medium Day was a highlight, where I had the privilege of hosting two panels.
Harnessing Growth After Medium Day
Following my involvement in Medium Day, the fruits of my labor began to manifest. Notably, Tony Stubblebine, Medium's CEO, and Terrie Schweitzer, the content curation director, expressed their appreciation for a panel I hosted, leading them to follow me. This opened doors to writing opportunities with prestigious publications without the usual approval hurdles.
Additionally, I was directly approached by the CEO of a ghostwriting agency in the Northeast to contribute to her projects, which includes writing a book for one of her clients—an endeavor that promises a healthy paycheck upon completion.
Nurturing Opportunities
Thanks to this connection, I was also referred to a comedy and copywriting expert from my hometown, allowing me to blend my passion for humor with captivating content creation for business leaders across the country.
Reflecting on the Journey
My journey has been a long and challenging one. It took five years to reach this stage, and while timelines for success vary, the reality is that achievements don't happen overnight. Consider the growth of plants; every seed has the potential to become a bountiful harvest, depending on the care it receives.
In essence, my current success as a digital writer stems from relentless effort, even in moments of doubt. Today, I earn a steady income from my writing endeavors and aspire to make it my primary source of revenue. This journey began with a dream and a well-crafted action plan to realize it. I nurtured those initial "seeds" into a flourishing career, proving that the equation "dreams + work = success" holds true.
And this is just the beginning.
Special thanks to Zulie Rane for the inspiration behind this article!
Inspiration from Mel Robbins
In this motivational video, Mel Robbins emphasizes that believing in your dreams and putting in the work can lead to significant achievements.