This Simple Change Will Make You a Better Writer

This Simple Change Will Make You a Better Writer In this fast-paced world of instant messaging and one-click shops, honest-to-goodness patience is almost unheard of. But as many experienced freelancers will tell you, you need to be patient in order to be a better-versed, better-paid writer. So how exactly can we practice this virtue without losing our impatient minds? Accept and understand the nature of freelance work. Freelance writing work, especially if youre very new to the business, tends to ebb and flow. Building your portfolio, finding clients, promoting your services, and reaching out to other writers takes a while. There will also be times when you need to wait weeks and months at a time to hear back from an editor or constantly follow up on a client because of their overdue invoice. The sooner you accept that there’s a lot of waiting involved, the faster you can focus on important things, like improving your craft and knowing what to do while you wait. Enjoy the process of writing. Learn (or relearn) to enjoy writing, the actual act of putting words on paper (or on screen). Enjoy researching and compiling sources. Enjoy coming up with blog topics and pitching them to editors. Enjoy planning your projects or outlining your blog posts. Enjoy these processes and not just the rewards. When you enjoy writing for the sake of writing, waiting for results and compensation becomes easier because your satisfaction and happiness won’t hinge on other people’s responses. Besides, using money and recognition as motivation may be good in the beginning, but not in the long run. Extrinsic motivation may be detrimental to your creativity something you need a lot of in writing. Plan your next step. You’ve heard what they say about idle hands. So instead of doing the devils work, busy yourself with activities that’ll help you grow your business and improve your skills. Maintain daily and weekly to-do lists to keep you focused and provide you direction. Here are a few examples of what you can do while waiting to hear back from people: Start reading those books and ebooks you’ve always wanted to read. Look for blogs that pay for guest posts and pitch them. Keep in touch with old clients and check if they have more work for you. Research and outline your next blog posts. Engage in unnecessary creation to keep your creative juices flowing. Streamline your social media management. Know when to stop waiting. There’s a limit to the amount of time you spend waiting. Some blogs and websites are kind enough to indicate how long it’ll take for them to respond to your queries, while others aren’t so clear. When it isn’t clear, wait for a few weeks before politely following up (unless their guidelines indicate otherwise) on your query. Being impatient for results is a reflex reaction most of us have. But with the right mindset, a plan, and genuine love for writing, you can learn to take the time and enjoy the journey and and the challenges along the way.