What Happens When You Go Viral: On Wanting to Give Up

I recently found out that the hit count on my Relevant article back in June was over 1.6 million. The editor told me it was the second-biggest traffic day in the history of their website. That’s mind-boggling to me.

If you had asked me a year ago what I thought it would mean to have a piece get that much exposure, I would have assumed it would be my big break. That it would boost my blog, lead to freelance opportunities, help connect me to the right people. That it would be my open door into the world of professional writing and publishing. That it would bring me validation and satisfaction. It would reassure me that what I’m doing here isn’t pointless and that my story matters.

Do you want to know the truth?

It hasn’t done any of those things. For a few weeks I received a lot of emails and messages from people thanking me for my story. I got to write a few guest posts on the topic. But no one has offered me a job and I haven’t landed an agent. 1.6 million people read something I wrote and my blog still has fewer than 200 followers. (If that’s not discouraging, I don’t know what is). And as much as I would love to say I don’t care about any of that, in the world of professional writing ( by which I mean writing in some capacity that pays the bills) numbers are what matter. How many subscribers do you have? How many followers on Twitter?

All I’ve ever really wanted to do since I was in kindergarten is to be a writer. I’ve tried other things and I’ve cultivated other interests, but writing is the only thing that has consistently excited me. I’m under no illusions that I could make a career out of blogging, but I would love to have enough paid work as a writer to support my family while doing something I love. And, like most writers, I would love to write a book someday. But these past few months I’ve become more and more convinced that I am not cut out for what “being a writer” means today.

Being a successful writer is no longer about craft or talent or art. It’s not about having the deepest insights or the most profound observations to share. It’s often simply about who can shout the loudest. Like high school student council elections, success in the blogosphere is a popularity contest. It’s about who is the most provocative, who is the most visible on social media, who is the most aggressively self-promoting.

I admit that I’ve dipped my toe into that pool. This summer I (very reluctantly) got a Twitter account. I hate it. I almost deleted it within 30 minutes of registering. I’ve tried to network with other bloggers, to write and invite guest posts, to comment other places, to submit pieces to other publications. But pursuing self-promotion doesn’t feel right to me. Reading someone else’s posts and looking for ways to insert myself and my work into the comments goes against some of my core values of sincerity and authenticity. These are things I’m not willing to compromise on.

In my last “What I’m Into” post I confessed that I’d been reading like a chain-smoker, using other people’s words to try to hide from own. I’ve read a few posts about this struggle lately (here and here ). Honestly, I was a little shocked and disheartened. One of my friends is working on a book and has landed a really great agent. One has a completed manuscript she’s starting to send around. I look at them and think, “If only I had an agent…” or “If only I had a finished manuscript…” Perhaps they look at me and think, “If only I had a million-view article…” And yet, we seem to have hit a collective wall. We are all struggling to feel that what we are doing matters.

I confess that I frequently get angry with popular and successful writers whose blogs I find poorly written and uninspiring. I don’t believe in quantity over quality – in pushing points that don’t need to be made just to generate content. There are a million voices out there and there are many moments when I don’t think the world really needs mine. If all I’m doing is adding to the noise then I’d rather be silent.

I want my writing to be about creating something beautiful—about art and passion and sincere wrestling with (sometimes fragile) faith. I want it to be about telling truths and naming every day grace. I want it to matter.

I’ve been rolling a book idea around in my head for at least eight months. There are some stories I want to tell, but I am afraid. This stage I’m in as a writer is one where I carve off a chunk of my heart and fling it out into the world and watch it disappear into the distance without even the consolation of hearing an echo back to let me know I hit something.

I am afraid of failing, yes, but here is an uglier truth. I am also afraid of hard work. Or rather, I am afraid of hard work that goes unrecognized and unappreciated. I am afraid of 1.6 million people who say, “Your words don’t matter.”

I want to give up.

And yet, I can’t quite do it. I can’t completely walk away. Because this space has changed me. In some ways it is healing me. I’ve made friends here. I’ve found a tiny community of artists who are fighting to say something true. These people inspire me. And I’ve experienced moments of extraordinary grace from readers, some whom I’ve never even met in real life, who have sent encouraging emails and have shared their own stories, who have sent me articles and books that are dear to them, and even one who bought the most beautiful cook book I’ve ever seen and mailed it all the way to Korea.

Jim Carrey once said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”

I’ve never been rich or famous, but I can tell you that as a writer, having an article go viral is not the answer. And it seems that having an agent or finishing a manuscript is not the answer. Satisfaction and conviction that this work is good and that it is worth doing has to come from somewhere else.

I don’t know what the next few months will look like here on the blog, but I’m committed to trying to figure this out. Should I write? Should I not write? What should I write? And why? And for whom?  Hopefully I will find a way forward–a way to be able to do what I love without compromising the kind of person I want to be.

___________

****EDIT: I just wanted to add a  note letting you all know how much I appreciate all of the kind and supportive comments I’ve been receiving on this post and for all of the new followers. I am really overwhelmed by your generosity and support. Online interactions can sometimes be so negative and all of your kind words have really touched me. I may not be able to respond to each and every comment, but please know that I’ve read every word and I appreciate them. I know I’ll come back to them in moments of discouragement. I’ll be checking out a lot of your blogs over the weekend. There’s a phrase we use in Korea that means “Don’t give up! You can do it!” It more or less translates to “Fighting!” in English.  So to all of my fellow writers, artists, and creators, “Fighting!”

Image source: Wikipedia.org

 

956 comments

  1. I’ve had my unexpected successes, albeit orders of magnitude smaller than yours. No lasting change of any kind resulted, although your experience is clearly more dramatic and surprising. “Success” in blogging and quality writing clearly have little in common. It is a nice to find people you can relate to well. Good luck!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Greg. It’s a little disheartening, but I guess the more we accept it and adjust our expectations – decide whether we care more about success or quality and act accordingly – we can stop being so disappointed by the reality. Good luck with your writing and thanks for reading!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. As someone who is just getting started in the world of blogging/writing I know exactly what you mean. If I were to have 1.6 million views on my blog, that would be amazing. I got 150 today and was totally amazed. The thought of that many people reading the words I put out there is mind boggling to me. I’m writing about something I love doing, so getting 1 or 100 people reading my blog is still amazing!!!

    Like

    Reply

    1. First- the 1.6 million thing was totally nuts once-in-a-writing-lifetime moment. I average 75-100 views a day.:) The most I’ve ever gotten in one day aside from that was like 500. So, if you’ve just started out and gotten 150 that is something to be really proud of. And I’m glad you are getting so much joy from what you’re doing. Thanks for reading and keep at it!

      Like

      Reply

  4. I loved this piece and agree with your assessments. Nice to see someone else has gathered the same thing. I wish you the best with your work, just keep believing though. You have “it.”

    Like

    Reply

  6. Sometimes when we think that what we write is not really heard or matters to anyone and we want to give it up, it is a new perspective we need, to view it from one that is internal, from the heart and know we cannot give up even if it means to just write for ourselves and no one else. It is the way I feel at times, and that to me is what ultimately matters. Listen to your heart. It is enough.

    Like

    Reply

  7. It’s like you are inside my head! I can relate to everything from the Twitter account to the (pseudo) viral experience to the what about doing something I love bit. Very well written.

    Good luck and hey Freshly Pressed brought me lots of new followers so hopefully it will do the same for you.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thank you! Being Freshly Pressed was a huge blessing and I’ve been so touched by how kind and encouraging other writers (including yourself) have been. I was reading through some of your recent posts – your blog is a lot of fun. Good luck with your writing!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. your blog is commendable… well being a newbie i cant say more than your blog seems a fight with your conscience to conquer the fears …and its not just that … but a motivational fight making us fight too with our dearly adopted fears.. good approach i must say.
    hoping my comment to be replied… 😉

    Like

    Reply

  9. You can add me as one more follower. You can also count me in as one more voice who normally like to keep my thoughts to my self…. If this seems forced it’s because I didn’t like the other 6 versions I tried..

    Like

    Reply

  11. Reblogged this on lexorknightrider and commented:
    Writing can be daunting and finding your voice during the process is even more so. Getting your story out to the masses in hopes of reaching them can be discouraging. But if writing is what you enjoy continue because eventually the rewards will come.

    Like

    Reply

  13. Your article was very relevant to me at this stage of my blogging game. My husband and I have just started out blogging and the social media promotional type BS that I read was to follow for a successful blog. While our goal is successful self publishing, and maybe, maybe one day an agent – I can’t lie and say that I haven’t gotten addicted to the stats page. But reading this really grounded me. When you ask whom to write for, I thought the answer was quite clear. You write for yourself, for your inner voice to be heard to you, yourself. And if it works for an audience, great. If not, at least you did not compromise your inner being. Write for you and the rest will follow, whatever that may be.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Mary Claire. I agree that ultimately compromising my voice and my integrity would leave me more dissatisfied than writing what I believe in and having no readers. 🙂 Good luck to you and your husband on your journey to self-publishing. It’s so cool that you are working together towards that goal!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  14. I must say that i write and create art for much the same reason that you do. It is disheartening when something you have put a lot of effort in gets read by only a handful of people.

    As for how to get people to read your blog… yes it has much to do with aggressive promotion. Often it is very much more about that. But if that is not your thing it will also come out in your promotion. May I make a suggestion, perhaps you and your friends or some of the bloggers you do enjoy reading can form some type of group and promote each others things. I have recently jointed triberr which is just the kind of platform to make this easy. You “promote” what you enjoy reading… i.e via twitter and facebook. You could also form a blogging facebook group.

    As for commenting, it is often better not to leave a comment than to try thumb suck one. Commenting is a skill some bloggers have just mastered.

    There are some really awesome blogs out there just waiting to be discovered. To each his own, a blog I may enjoy may not be the one you enjoy. As said find a few you like, try and befriend those bloggers and see if y’all can’t promote each-others work.

    Living in Africa I know that it is sometimes hard. I also think if I just had a agent… or this or that…. But whatever you do follow your heart and follow your dream.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I think networking with other bloggers is a great idea and a really big part of growing your audience. I also try to do a good job of promoting people whose writing I appreciate and admire – sort of a treat others the way you’d like to be treated thing. I’ve got one friend in particular who is just a whiz at all the social media stuff – he’s constantly promoting other writers and artists on his facebook and twitter. What comes across as very pushy and manipulative when I do it comes across as genuine exuberance from him and I’m so thankful for people like him who seem to have mastered the art of aggressive promotion and who are willing to do for me what I can’t do for myself.

      A blogging group of some sort is a good idea…I will have to think more about what that might look like. Thanks!

      Like

      Reply

  16. Oh, Lily, how I wish I had someone like you sitting next to me and patiently explaining how this social media thingy works. Until now I’ve avoided it suspecting that, once begun, it would drag me into a world so unfamiliar and alien that I would never again be able to raise my invisible drawbridge of privacy. Perhaps you can guess from this that I’m no spring chicken. So, what I did was keep my head down and concentrate on finishing my book. One week ago with the help of a young friend my facebook account was opened and a blog site set up. According to today’s stats, I’ve had 84 views. A long, long way to go!
    Today, quite by accident I found your blog and now I’m even more puzzled than ever. Your site has a phenomenal number of views. I wonder if I’ve been wasting my time concentrating on the book. Attract the visitors first and then write the book or get it written first and then set about telling the world?
    In the end, whichever way works best, sitting here in my farmhouse in the English countryside, I have enjoyed reading your blog this morning and I’m totally in awe of your tenacity.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Rosalie, your life sounds positively idyllic to me – your farmhouse in the English countryside writing a book. 🙂 I don’t think there’s necessarily one right way to do it -gaining a following first and then writing the book vs. writing the book and then working on gaining readers. Building the blog can really take away from your time and energy to spend on writing your book. But when it comes to publishing your book, an agent or publisher will want to know that you are coming to them with some sort of audience. That you can say – here is my book and this is how many people I already have interested in reading it. So, whether you try to attract the readers before the book is finished or you finish your book and hang onto it while you try to grow an audience for it is up to you. Good luck with your book and don’t give up!

      Like

      Reply

  17. This is exactly how I’ve been feeling recently. It’s, unfortunately, translated over to my bill paying job. I hate it. Thank you for writing this. It made me feel better and not so alone in this.

    Like

    Reply

  18. hi lily,

    yes, serious topics dont gain traction so easily and are very hard to monetize. but, i get the sense that you have been blogging for the sake of getting the word out, providing a message to unknown people who may benefit from your writings. sometimes, the message is more important then the messenger and i suppose you know it. perhaps, someone could benefit from your work immensely but they wouldn’t be able to tell you about it. surly, you must keep writing even for those silent audiences. i know i’ve already experienced something worthwhile by reading your articles so thank you for writing 🙂

    best
    sam

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Sam, thanks for your kind words. I think it’s good to remember that the number of comments and responses I get isn’t necessarily indicative of all the people who appreciated my words. I’ve often received messages from people out of the blue who said “I’ve been reading your blog for a long time” and I had no idea because they’d never left a message or a comment before. Just because I’m not constantly being bombarded by people telling me how meaningful my words are doesn’t mean they AREN’T meaningful . I really appreciate your encouragement. Thanks.

      Like

      Reply

  19. Amen. I feel you and it’d been the same for me as well. True things take longer to stick, and that’s the sad predicament. I mean if you show some skin then you’d probably have more of a chance to sign that freelance deal. But why stoop when you know you’d feel that much more relevance knowing you kept your clothes on. Keep trucking on.

    Like

    Reply

  20. You’ve done well, Lily! I’ve been blogging for over 2 years and have yet to hit a million hits from all my posts. What you have to say matters. I’ve read those posts that use a lot of hype and expletives to get the likes and followings. Thumbs down! Why waste the energy? You are on the right track. Keep on trucking. I write because I enjoy the process. If I get a few reads, I am happy.

    Another Lily

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi other Lily. 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement. You are so kind. And I agree – I don’t want to get attention by writing the kind of content I dislike other places. Good luck with your writing!

      Like

      Reply

  21. As a very young and new writer, this definitely made me reflect on why I want to be a writer. This is a great post, and I will keep it to remind me that when I meet the struggle, I am not the only one.

    Like

    Reply

    1. You are not the only one! And also, reaching certain goals won’t mean the end of all your struggles and problems. It’s easy to romanticize writing and think if you just got a certain number of views or published in a certain place you’d be all set, but I think writing is a continual struggle. It’s just also worth it! Good luck with your writing journey!

      Like

      Reply

  22. The satisfaction and validation of your writing needs to come from with you! You definitely can’t depend on the rest of the world to help you there. I’m in a slightly different boat because I’m not trying to make money with my blog or writing. So I don’t need to worry about what will appeal to the masses or land me an agent. But I also get excited when I get 3 views of an article, let alone 1.6 million. But I write for me me. I actually just wrote an article pondering this whole writing thing, but I won’t post it here. This is about your struugle. To make money, you have to spend a lot of energy on marketing and making sure your articles fit a certain formula that has been determined to be the most effective way to communicate to the general public (# Steps to Solve X Problem is the formula title for self-help blogging, as an example). You’re going to feel like you’re losing yourself a bit because you are. The question to ask is is it more important for your message to get out there or your message to get out there, delivered in your original words?

    Like

    Reply

    1. This is exactly the tension I feel. Even my article that did so well felt like a bit of a compromise – I would never normally write a 4 point list-type article, but I changed the format slightly so this magazine would find it more attractive. However, in this case, I felt the crux of my message still came across even though it was packaged differently than I would have done it for my own preferences. It was a message I felt strongly about and I think for the most part, it was helpful to people in spite of the kitchy appearance. But the tension between marketability and value is something I continue to wrestle with. Thanks for your thoughts and thanks for reading!

      Like

      Reply

  26. I can totally relate to you. I have the same dream, I’ve been wanting to be a writer since I was very little, I’m in love with books and writing but at the same time I don’t know if I want to write something that has so much of myself in it and watching it not getting enough attention as I think it should get. Because it would mean that I’ve made myself vulnerable for nothing, and that’s scary and humiliating. At the same time, I feel like chasing a dream is what really keeps me alive and I’m not ready to let this hope go. So we’re gonna be strong and keep writing because it’s our passion and it’s what we are 🙂 Don’t give up!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Ugh, the writer’s struggle – how can I live honestly if I don’t pursue this? But how will I handle it if I throw myself into this and fall flat on my face? It’s scary, friend. Thanks for your encouragement and empathy. Let’s be brave together. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  27. Hey, Such Small Hands. It’s not often that I scroll through the Freshly Pressed timeline and not roll my eyes. Today is that rare day. I grapple with finding those same answers you look for; what I want accomplished from my writing; how big or recurrent an audience, etc.. Thanks for acknowledging that!

    Like

    Reply

  28. Miss Lily,

    There is so much that you wrote here that felt as if it was bleeding from my own heart.

    For the writer, our words are part of our soul, and to be able to make a living from our most sacred self is frankly all that many of us really want.

    I know that desire well.

    It is a secret song that plays on an endless loop…waiting for the day when another song-a song of joy can be heard, that our prayer has been answered-and we can release the breath that we have been holding for so long…allowing the freshness of a new life.

    As long as I could pay my bills, I could care less about dollar signs. As long as I could write from the stardust locked within…to help others, to serve the purpose of the Path I was meant to follow-I could care less about trends or polls or fame. To not have to traverse to a place, like my current job, where creativity is suffocated and the forced smile is forever pasted on my face (and writing is the one thing I don’t do)-is something that seems so far fetched…that concept; that writing life…it might as well be on the other side of the universe.

    I know well, the thought of giving up, and in the same breath-not being able to really, actually do it. I have almost deleted my blog so many times I have lost count. I have almost hit delete on all of my written work so many times…but I can never do it. At one time, I felt like…if I removed the evidence of my broken heart-my broken writer’s heart-that yearns for a life of words….maybe my heart would mend itself.

    I never could hit that button. Not really.

    I couldn’t do it because I held on to hope. It guides us. It is in our nature as humans to hope. It is embedded, ingrained and rooted so deep in our DNA, that it cannot be expunged even if we are satisfied that it is entirely gone from us.

    We hope one day that our deepest passion, our true face can breathe the air that our mask does. For the masquerade of our fake lives thrives while our sleeping truth cries out in a waking nightmare. We hope that our authentic self, will one day come to bathe in the Grace of the Light…and not have to walk again in the mire; into places where we cannot thrive as the reverent beings that the Goddess created.

    Thank you for voicing your doubts and your hopes-and I will be saying a prayer to the Goddess that one day, your writer’s heart will live a life that your dreams have only manifested. I will be following…

    May your hope always guide you.

    Blessings to you.

    Holly
    Inkberry’s Quill: Lost Ink of a Bardic Amazon

    Like

    Reply

    1. Holly, it sounds like you understand the struggle of writing so well, especially the struggle of where and how it fits into an ordinary life where we still have to do ordinary things like pay bills and do laundry and all the other realities that feel like they’re pulling us away from what we love. I struggle to find balance there when writing is a passion, but it is not, and cannot be, the ONLY thing I give my energy to. I have also thought about deleting everything more than once, but I just can’t do it – partly because my writing bears witness to where I’ve been and it helps remind me where I’m going.

      Blessings to you as you also strive for balance and for a way to pursue what makes you feel most alive.

      Like

      Reply

  31. Keep going sister. I am but an infant in your world but I can tell you this, we are like street artists who just wish to make the pavement more interesting. When I write, I write it for my closest of friends. They have something to read over the toilet perhaps. Perhaps through my writing I reveal something of myself to them that otherwise social interactions would not. I admire your viewership record and just looking at the numbers here I think to myself that if I can manage a fraction of this in a year then I will feel fulfilled. I write for that random smile or chuckle I might induce in others, I write because I want to (plus it makes my mum real proud to see her ickle munchkins name on the www).

    Like

    Reply

  32. Lily! Don’t give up on your dreams! I appreciate your honesty. While reading this post I thought, “Jeeze! It’s like reading a page out of my diary!” I completely relate to your reluctance to “shout the loudest”. I’ve been struggling with that myself. But because I have dreams just like you, I say keep going! You’ve got a solid following and something’s bound to fall in your lap soon! Good luck!! 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  33. Rome wasn’t built in one day. It takes a lot of time and proof that you are ready for something really big. Also a lot of practice and the right time!! Don’t take the time to pity yourself but take time to prepare yourself for something special!! 😉 *Fighting* a Korean cheer that you never give and become big in the future

    Like

    Reply

  34. Hi Lily,

    Much like “Rosalie” above, it’s sort of weird how I ended up here. I was out on WP and not intending to visit Freshly Pressed, but I did and saw this post. So, for one, the article with 1.6M views is great. I read it. I’ve never heard of anyone writing about this topic before in the manner you did. (although I’ve read about kids being taught to abstain, etc) All in all, what you accomplished is no little feat. 1.6M views! (and counting I imagine.) Anyway, my main point is…publishing is slow, and in addition, this is one of those situations almost like, I wrote this article that got 1.6M views – now what? You mentioned you haven’t finished a book. What I thought about when I read this was Julie & Julia. The blog by Julie (whatever her last name is) cooking Julia Child’s recipes for a year and blogging about it. That landed her a book deal, but that was after she gained who knows how many followers. To me, you’ve got two great launch pads. You could keep blogging about the Christian upbringing in today’s world, OR, what’s happening in South Korea and teaching English. That would be fascinating, I think.

    Anyway. You have experienced a huge adrenalin rush with the success of that article and now things are calming down and now that nothing’s really happened it’s…a let down. I get it. I really do. Just don’t give up.

    Coincidentally. I’m from Raleigh NC. I’ve lived there most of my life, although currently, I live in Dunn. My parents are on Avent Ferry. I went to Broughton. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I forgot to add, you may already be blogging about those things! LOL! I haven’t read anything other than this post and that article – so apologies in advance if I’m only stating the obvious.

      Like

      Reply

    2. Hi Donna,

      Thanks so much for reading and for offering your perspective. I really appreciate it. I do think it’s good to keep things in perspective. If I hadn’t had that huge article, I would probably be very pleased with where my blog is at now. It was, as you said, just a let down from this crazy and unexpected adrenaline rush. Thanks for your encouragement – I’m really glad to know that you enjoyed this post and appreciated the article.

      I miss Raleigh so much. We are hoping to make it back some day and settle down. Say hello for me. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  37. Your post is very well written. I enjoyed reading it. Just stay committed to your values. Trying to accomplish you goals without staying true to yourself will seem meaningless in the end. It may take you a little longer to get to the finish line because you aren’t taking short-cuts but when you do get there the pride you’ll feel will be utterly worth it! Keep writing, your voice will be (and is being) heard.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for your kind words and for your support. In the end I have to agree that it wouldn’t be satisfying to gain a ton of readers or publish a book if I wasn’t proud of the work. Thanks for reading!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I saw on your site that you’re a fiction writer. My husband writes fiction too. I used to write fiction but somehow my stories always ended up being more about real life and I had trouble “fictionalizing” them. I think fiction writers have amazing imaginations. Best of luck to you and thanks for reading!

      Like

      Reply

      1. Thank you for you reply! My mind works in strange ways so I can go real life but I can absolutely pull a universe out of where the sun does not shine. :p This may or not be a good thing in my real life relationships, though. I am leaning towards “not”. Lines get blurred. But thanks for even taking the time to take a look! I really appreciate that. Have a great weekend.

        Like

    1. Thank you! That’s so kind. I saw some of your paintings on your website. I’m so impressed. I have zero artistic skill when it comes to drawing/painting, basically anything that requires talent. I even suck at stick figures.:) Thanks so much for reading and best of luck with your art!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  40. …I’m pretty sure you just wrote every word that was in my head. From wanting to be heard, to shying away from the fallacy of self-promotion, to the realization that you can never walk away and still be yourself. Yes and Amen.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. So glad to know you get where I’m coming from! After I found out this post got Freshly Pressed I was really worried that it came off as really whiny and self-indulgent, but so many people have been so kind and encouraging and willing to say, “Hey, me too!” and that just means the world to me. Thanks for reading and for taking a minute to comment. Good luck with your writing too!

      Like

      Reply

  42. Most of what you wrote here was how I feel at times in this overwhelming and crazy world of blogging and writing. The contentment really has to come from our hearts. Those little cracklings of fire in a dying fireplace that show just enough light and warmth to keep us going. For a writer it is the foremost condition I think. Finding fulfillment in our words. This was amazing. I feel like reading it again. And I am sure great plans are in store for you. Keep fighting:). As will I.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words. They really are such an encouragement. You are right, we must find some kind of contentment and fulfillment from doing what we love without external rewards. Good luck in your writing! Thanks for stopping by.

      Like

      Reply

  44. This is honest. Thank you. If only we didn’t have to sell our souls to pay rent and buy food. I don’t think writers (real ones called to it) are looking for acceptance and validity. The act of writing does that for us. We’ re simply looking for the freedom to pursue what feeds our soul. But in this world where humans are the only living creatures that must pay to be here, our craft becomes contorted and wrought with guilt and fear. Our very survival is at stake. https://averystypewriter.wordpress.com/2013/07/20/the-world-does-not-need-more-successful-people/ I’m not sharing this link to self promote. My blog is long neglected and maybe has 10 followers. I’m sharing it to share my similar path. Keep writing. Your voice is valid. Very best.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. “We’re looking for the freedom to pursue what feeds our souls.” That’s exactly it. I know some people read this post and were like, “Get over it. We can’t all make money doing what we want.” But I find that so hard to accept. It’s not because I think I’ll ever be rich or that I think it’s practical to make a living off blogging. Even if I had a book published, I know that that doesn’t actually pay very well. But I don’t understand why I can’t use what I’m good at and what I care about to provide for myself. Maybe that’s naive, but it’s not as if my thing is origami and I can’t understand why I can’t make a living off of paper swans. 😉 Loved that piece on your blog. You should write more. Thanks so much for your comment and your encouragement.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thanks for the re-blog. Hope you enjoy some of my other posts. 🙂 I checked out your blog. So impressed with your dedicated writing exercises and practice. And I actually loved your one-syllable flash fiction piece. I don’t think I could do that. Very cool. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  47. I don’t know why I can co-realte. Few mishaps has got the viral of writing in me which I have always cherished from childhood. I believe every individual has his or her own beauty of dressing the words. And every words indeed speaks his soul.
    You write amazing!! Keep the good work!! (Y)

    Like

    Reply

  48. I feel that if my writing is good enough it will attract audience itself, and feel weird when I have to send out links asking people to read. It feels like betrayal to the craft. But today in the world of marketing where the outside is as important as the content, I feel the key is selling yourself until you get a name and then doing what you want.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It’s definitely really hard to balance those things. Part of me thinks I can’t just do nothing and expect opportunities to fall into my lap. But at the same time when I think about some of the best experiences I’ve had in life, they often came about not through me working like crazy to make things happen, but through me being faithful with where I was and then being open to opportunities that came up. Sometimes it’s just a matter of being in the right place at the right time and having the right person notice you or your work. Thanks for reading and for commenting!

      Like

      Reply
  49. Pingback: The Monday Post: Links for Readers and Writers | A Vase of Wildflowers

  50. This was a great post.. I’m an amateur still figuring out what I even want to write about. I’ve been playing around with some generic stuff lately. I know somehow I want to write humorous stuff, I’ve always been the non stop joke maker. Its hard somehow when you’re writing though. That being said, the whole how many “hits” is your blog getting is actually a little discouraging and it seems to take more effort to spam people on social media than to actually sit down and write a good piece. But yeah wouldn’t know anything about going viral. This certainly helps me figure out that there is a lull on that side as well.. Thanks for sharing.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I’m so jealous of people who can be really funny in writing. If you can find a way to make your sense of humor translate into writing, you should go for it. I really admire people who do that well. I think you’re right that it can take more effort to go around plugging yourself on social media than to write something meaningful and I think that’s my frustration with a lot of popular blogs that I find poorly written. It’s frustrating because people are sharing their posts like they’re gold and I just think if those writers spend half as much time working on their writing as they do on the promotion then maybe they could actually use their platform to say something MEANINGFUL! Of course, part of the blame for that is on the readers too – people like for people to confirm what they already believe instead of being challenged.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to Serins Cancel reply