I started a new “Why Wait?” series about writing last Wednesday about my goal of becoming an author. I aim to post every Wednesday, so today I’m talking about the WHOS. I’m all about making connections and thinking creatively, instead of competitively.
Authorship requires seemingly questions: who am I, who is my work for, and who do I work with?
I’ve only asked myself a few times, who am I to become an author when there’s so many others? Imposter syndrome is an acquaintance of mine and might be yours, too. Has it ever felt like everyone has a platform?
But my mindset shifted from why me to why not me? from one amazing realization:
If there are more places for producing, sharing, and storytelling, that means there’s more people, too.
And so, instead of seeing competition, I see possibility. By finding more people like me, I have evaded imposter syndrome. Instead of making mutual friends with this lying beast, I am now focused on finding complementary FRIENDS, online and off.
These folks have similar life goals of creating (some even publishing!), but they often use different mediums to express themselves.
More practically? I have expanded my social networking circles to make connections with other digital storytellers, usually through LinkedIn. It is my medium of choice for fellow writers, videographers, and marketers. Here’s how:
- Usually I find people I DON’T know in real life but have mutual connections with and send them a message, based off of a specific position on their profile or something they’ve shared publicly.
- If that hook works, I meet with them 1:1, usually via Zoom. I have an open mind and notebook ready. Keeping expectations minimal is key.
- Together we see how we can help each other, instead of competing. That way, we can give each other advice and perhaps even trade services.
For example, I met with a videographer Sean of Wilderstory last week, and we discussed the power of using emotions in sharing stories, especially those that are difficult (but powerful!) to share with the world. With the right resources, I may find an ethical way of presenting a story I haven’t shared yet, one of surviving trauma.
Perhaps these are resources Sean and I can share, such as making a video. We may collaborate, such as me writing, and him filming. But because I went into the virtual meeting with no expectations, I was left energized. We even bonded over our shared mega-church upbringing.
Can creativity not be competitive?
One reason why I value authorship so much is because a good story produces empathy. Readers, collaborators, writers, editors, agents, distributors, publishers (I could go on!) ALL have a shared humanity. We’re all in this world together, friends, so it’s about time we learn to connect, collaborate, and create.
My friend Amanda and I are rebuilding our friendship. We both self-designed media degrees, spending a handful of Sundays working at the college paper, but we were never close. (I think we might have been, if we had more time-affluence.) But last month, our mutual passions for writing and exploring led us to collaborating on her website. Amanda started Dream Suitcase, about traveling confidently.
Recognizing a shared value of adventuring, I’m excited to write for Dream Suitcase and also collaborate on marketing and public relations. Amanda knows the travel writing industry, often attending conferences. And I can share marketing tips, such as who is the intended audience for each post? Or how about the whole website?
I can still be collaborative WHILE acknowledging that Amanda, Sean, and I have different means of expressing creativity, but we all have similar goals.
Working creatively and collaboratively means I can take inspiration from a variety of sources. My boyfriend just received a master’s in creative writing. While I am more of a technical writer, he still gives me pointers on getting to the emotional core. Which is ironic, because this blog isn’t really for him. Does that mean he’s not the target audience for the book, too? Perhaps.
But what if my work doesn’t serve everyone?
Acknowledging that my book and blog may not serve everyone is hard but a necessary process. Especially if some audience members may love and care for me… but not necessarily care about my technical work. As a marketer, I can cognitively understand this, but it’s still sometimes difficult, emotionally. I’m trying to not take it personally.
Instead, I am focused on who this work is for. That way, I can speak to their needs and wants:
My target readership of both the book and blog is folks who want to achieve big goals but get stuck in their daily habits. Since 2019, this blog has focused on practical tips to shift schedules. I hope the book inspired readers to structure their life with more focus on habits and values.
By being grounded by my own habits and values, I confirm that, “who, me?” is actually, “yes, me.”
I have created a life worth living, and I want to share it. Especially my techniques to omit habits. I’ve decluttered most of my belongings, three times (the last time helped me move across the country). I have chosen my own path, repeatedly, from self-designing a major to launching my own website, but now I am making habits that are sustainable, collaborative, and more in-tune with my goals.
If you have ever made changes to your life, such as making or breaking a habit, you can even actively participate in the book. Fill out this form! To give you an idea if you should complete the form or not, you fill out the form based off of a single habit. Here’s just a sampling of who can help by participating in the research now (and therefore who will be helped by reading about fellow habit breakers/makers later):
- Creatives who want to truly want to work on their art, yet are distracted by other obligations.
- Folks who have tried new habits but struggle to maintain them.
- Vegans.
- People who have opted OUT of societal standards like parenting.
- Or if you have opted IN to goal-based norms like Lent or New Year’s Resolutions.
- So many more!
If you DON’T want to make goals through changing your habits, that’s okay too! The book, and perhaps this blog by extension, is probably not for you.
I’m so excited to give space for fellow creatives in my life, as well as the weekly virtual space of writing about writing. I’m enjoying the ask/answer format of these “Why Wait” posts, but let me know what you think about the format. Or share whatever’s sparking creativity with a comment!