I’ve Been a Paid Writer For Less Than 2 Months

And don’t it feel good.

I’ve been a writer for most of my 21 years of living. But I’ve been a paid writer for less than two months.

How can that be?

Since seventh grade, I’ve written for a great number of publications, including the junior high newspaper, high school newspaper and yearbook, college newspaper, two local newspapers, Medium, and also my first self-published book. However, I’ve just started getting paid this year.

I did so when I discovered Medium. When I read about it more and more, I fell in love with it. A site would pay me for my writing? And I can write and publish every day? Sign me up!

Since I began writing for Medium in February of this year, I’ve made a fair amount of money, but not enough to quit my day job. Last week, I published my first book, which is now generating ebook and paperback sales.

Why Am I Just Now Getting Paid?

I always knew I wanted to be a writer and follow that specific career path. But I never thought about the money.

I just wanted to write.

The more I wrote, the more I fell in love with it and wanted to do it every day. Nevertheless, money never came to mind.

Before this year, I have written hundreds of articles, columns, papers, songs, anything you can think of. I just kept writing and writing, sharpening my skills every day.

When I discovered Medium less than two months ago and the fact that I could be paid for my work, I finally thought to myself. I had been writing for a long time now for free. It’s a skill I’ve grown to love and better myself at every day.

Maybe it’s time I got paid for it.

So I turned my writing into a business. And I’ve never been happier.

What Being Paid to Write Has Taught Me

Bestselling author James Patterson once said:

“You’re lucky if you find something you like to do, and it’s a miracle if somebody will pay you to do it.”

Being paid to write is a great experience, but it comes with a lot of work. Here’s what it has taught me.

• Don’t think about the money every day.
• Don’t write for the money. Instead, write to teach, inform and entertain.
• Slow and steady wins the race.
• Patience is a virtue.
• Be grateful you’re being paid at all.

I Can’t Quit My Day Job Yet

It would be nice to write with full financial freedom and not have to worry about how to pay for my next meal or if a story will do well.

But that is a long way off. Right now, I’m enjoying the writing journey as much as I can. In doing so, I’ve never felt happier and more successful.

Sure, the money is coming in slow and steady, but it’s still not about the money. It’s still about the joy and fulfillment of writing.

Who knows, maybe one day I will make six figures writing Medium articles or multiple books a year. But that day will come when it comes.

Right now, I’m just enjoying the writing journey.