Write Less, Earn More

“You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.”

― Octavia E. Butler

Writing more, or succumbing to the idea of quantity over quality, is tempting. It’s an easy formula, really. One that I, myself, have fallen prey to over the years. Between the months of October — December of 2020, I published well over 70 full-length articles.

This is what I learned.

A greater quantity has its benefits.

Writing a plethora of articles certainly has its benefits. For new writers, I almost always suggest this route as a means to finding your writer’s voice. This process is one that must be learned through trial and error and is not to be ignored. A writer’s voice is what grants the writer his or her identity.

Stephen King’s ominous tone and Ayn Rand’s meticulous philosophical writing styles were not born out of mid-air. It took practice, like anything else, to develop such iconic ‘voices’.

Many of us do not know what kind of writers we are until we put the pen to paper and begin.

I started out by writing those monotonous click-bait articles that seem to be just about everywhere (this one is bordering that genre, but I digress). I then transitioned into creative writing, starting out with a method called free-style writing, which is where the writer (you) writes each and every thought that comes to mind.

I transitioned from this abstract method of writing into humor, briefly touched on a bit of action/adventure, and then made my way into horror, utilizing a melodic mixture of every element I learned.

My fiancée started out writing micro-fiction, using abstract methods of constructing her sentences and manipulating her word choice to better affect her rhythm and flow, thus leading her into the realm of poetry.

Everyone’s method is different, but everyone has one step in common: the beginning.

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”

— Louis L’Amour

Filter through the bad to find the good.

The main message of this article is to find a point in your writing journey where you can stop, for just a moment, and reflect on your own style. Focus on what brings you joy.

None of us are likely to be the next JK Rowling or James Patterson. None of us are likely to even reach six figures in revenue from our writing. Because of this (or even despite this), the most important part of writing is that we enjoy it.

Writing is a labor of love, through and through. We work hard and expect little pay. Writing is about expression, freedom, enjoyment. If you are unwilling to accept this, then I suggest you move onto something else, because at the end of the day, this is all that you will be left with.

To express one’s soul is to expose yourself to the world in the most vulnerable way possible.

Write not to please others or to make a profit. Write because this is what you love to do. The profit will come. Whether it is substantial or not, should not make a difference.

Focus on what you enjoy and hone your craft. Do not write low-quality filler articles unless you are doing so to discover yourself.

Write what you love, say what you want, and f*ck the critics.