Writer’s Block Is One Thing, This Is Another

Summary

A writer grapples with the overwhelming array of writing choices and the challenge of balancing passion projects with paid opportunities in the digital age.

Abstract

The author discusses the struggle of choosing what to write amidst a plethora of options, ranging from blogging and newsletters to novels and freelance work. Despite having a full-time job, the writer is torn between pursuing creative endeavors that may not yield immediate financial returns and taking on paid gigs that can sometimes lead to creative burnout. The dilemma is compounded by the pressure to build a personal brand and the desire for creative fulfillment, all while managing limited time and the potential impact on mental health.

Opinions

The author experiences decision paralysis due to the myriad of writing opportunities available, likening it to being an experimental rat with too much cheese.
There is a sense of frustration and self-doubt, as the writer starts many projects, including a novel, only to abandon them for immediate income sources like Fiverr.
The author acknowledges the importance of setting goals to guide one's writing actions but finds it difficult to prioritize long-term projects like a novel over immediate paying jobs.
Despite the challenges, the writer is appreciative of the diverse avenues available for writers to earn a living and build a platform in 2023.
The author references successful writers like Tim Denning and Neil Patel, suggesting that they would advocate for a goal-oriented approach to writing.
The writer admits to struggling with maintaining a consistent writing schedule after a full workday, sometimes leading to minimal productivity or even physical illness.
There is a recognition that working excessively after a 9-hour day is not a sustainable mental health strategy, yet the reality of financial needs often overrides this understanding.

Struggling to write vs. choosing WHAT to write.

Start a blog? Get on Substack? Pump out some eBooks? Draft a novel?

Work on Fiverr? Pitch an article? Flash fic comp? Write a poem?

I’m sure you’ve been here before. There are a million things to write about, unlimited ways to do it, and thousands of ways to monetize. Popular bloggers claim writing online is a sea of opportunity. Only thing is, I’m drowning in decision overload.

We all have ideas, be it for a new blog, newsletter, eBook series, or that YA fiction novel you’re so close to starting. But deciding on what to start is often migraine-worthy.

I’m that guy who gets two chapters into a passion project, realizes there’s no immediate gain, and then hops back on Fiverr to write some speeches. Or starts a blog. Or:

Writes a short story for a fiction competition

Drunkenly crafts a poetry collection

Writes new lyrics for his favorite songs

Maps out a new novel idea that rusts away in his notes

Drafts a story about his late uncle to send to his dad on the anniversary of their death

Starts a screenplay only to get imposter syndrome and “stay in his lane” of copywriting

Like that experimental rat who takes a bite out of every cheese block, instead of finishing one at a time. It’s a great way to get nothing done.

I copywrite full-time at an agency, so time is a big factor. Have to filter out the non-essentials. Between 5:30 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. during the week, I try to either:

Draft a Medium article

Write a blog for my personal site

Pour some Maker’s and get poetic

Finish an article for one of my two freelance clients (lifestyle magazine and construction CRM)

Or word vomit some lines for a novel I can’t commit to.

Sometimes I write for hours after work. Other times I pass out after 100 words. On the sad occasion, I’m bent over the toilet expelling my demons while a blinking cursor laughs at my drunken pain. And Ernest said whiskey helps the process.

There are a few guys I’ve followed around since I started writing online. When I think of what Tim Denning and Neil Patel would say, I imagine something along the lines of being goal-oriented.

Whether my goal is side income, a platform to boost that income, or to write a novel that I’m dying to commit to, the chosen goal should inform action. Right?

It’s tough. A novel is fulfilling, but Fiverr offers income. Medium helps with building a platform, getting on Twitter grows that audience, and Substack is the cherry on top. But they all require major time investments, and working yourself into the dirt after a 9-hour day isn’t the most mental health-friendly strategy.

In the end though, I’m grateful. Writers in 2023 can build their platforms and line their pockets in countless ways. It’s just up to us to decide which projects deserve our time.

Let me know if you’ve had a similarly severe case of writer’s block. I think I’ll try starting that novel now.

Oof, never mind — just got a Fiverr order.