REFRESH THE SOUL WRITING CHALLENGE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

Leaving My Comfort Zone

Again

I am on the path to book writing. I’ve wanted to do it, but I wasn’t sure I could…or should.

There are plenty of stories about writing and the doubts and fears it causes. I’ve felt and dealt with all of them at one time or another. But the one aspect of writing I don’t hear much about is the actual business end. I’m not referring to making money as many writers do, but more about all the other, perhaps mundane, aspects of running a small business.

Last year I joined a group of aspiring writers. It was beneficial but costly, and I ultimately left because I couldn’t justify paying so much each month. I learned a great deal about publishing and book proposals. I also met some excellent writers. But I didn’t feel ready or able to put all the pieces together.

I also took a course on creating a business. Here is where my comfort zone ends. If I seriously pursue writing books, I will do it within the confines of a legitimate business. So I am, in my way, at this moment in time. The costs of doing this make me uncomfortable, but they are necessary to protect the business.

Why make it a business if it causes so much stress? Welcome to my brand of creating just enough pressure to stay motivated but not enough to paralyze me. This is a pattern I have followed throughout my life when moving an idea into the realm of reality. I would make it a business for tax purposes and to protect my work. As a business entity, I can contract, negotiate and work with others more professionally. It also makes me more accountable.

Writing on Medium has been fun and challenging. I’m learning the craft of writing, what interests people, and what interests me. Earnings here are a nice perk but secondary. It doesn’t seem likely that I will earn enough to make a mortgage payment, much less enough for weekly groceries. It was a leap out of my comfort zone to join and put out my first stories.

I’m growing as a legitimate writer, and I like it. The next step will be establishing the business, creating a legal entity, and then putting the products out there.

The plan is to self-publish. To this end, I am still doing research. I know from experience that I will reach a tipping point where I feel like I know what I am doing and what needs to be done.

I hope this is inspirational to those thinking about doing this. I am older and trying to balance time, energy, and realistic expectations. It’s about answering a call from long ago and making a dream reality.

Do you have a dream to pursue? How are you going to make it real? Will it push you out of your comfort zone?

© 2022 Patricia Cascio Hodge. All rights reserved.

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