avatarAllison Wiltz

Summary

The website content discusses the importance of persevering with writing despite initial low readership, emphasizing the necessity of motivation, belief in one's abilities, and the development of a readership over time through consistent effort, networking, and self-promotion.

Abstract

The article "Writing into the Void is the First Step to Success" acknowledges the common experience among writers of feeling unnoticed when starting out. It encourages new writers to embrace the solitary phase of their career as an opportunity for growth, experimentation, and skill development without the pressure of an audience. The piece advises on the importance of writing regularly, promoting one's work, and engaging with the writing community. It stresses that success in writing is not immediate and requires patience, a proactive approach to gaining exposure, and the understanding that writing into the void is a natural step in building a writing career. The article also suggests that comparing oneself to other writers is counterproductive and that each writer's journey is unique.

Opinions

  • Writing without immediate feedback or recognition is a valuable and inevitable phase in a writer's career.
  • Early in their careers, writers should focus on developing their unique voice and style, as well as honing their writing skills.
  • Self-promotion and networking are crucial components of building a readership and should be pursued with diplomacy and consistency.
  • Engaging with other writers' work and participating in the writing community can lead to mutual support and growth in audience.
  • Writers should avoid comparing themselves to others and instead focus on their own progress and improvement.
  • Reflecting on one's writing process and the reception of published work can provide insights for future growth and success.
  • Persistence and consistent effort in writing and promotion are key to overcoming the initial lack of readership and achieving writing success.

Writing into the Void is the First Step to Success

We’ve all been there. Here’s how to get to the other side

Photo: Etienne Girardet / Unsplash

Hello, hello, is anyone there?” We’ve all been there — you work hard on a draft of something, post it, and then…no one seems to be reading your work. But don’t take it personally — you are not necessarily being ignored. Readers don’t know your writing from a can of paint. If you’re in the early stages of publishing online, you’re likely just not on their radar. To craft a successful writing career out of thin air, you will need motivation and a sincere belief in your writing abilities.

Do you know what a new kid on the block and a veteran writer have in common? They both started their careers by writing into the void, typing words and phrases that barely anyone read. That initial loneliness can make writers feel discouraged. We’ve all been there. Writing into the void is an essential part of the writing process. Let’s explore how to get to the other side.

Whether you write a few articles each month or week, your career has an origin story. Early on, readers have “no expectations.” It’s up to you to create some with your writing. Once readers get a taste of your writing, they’ll eat it up. However, it’s not easy to make the jump from writing into the void to getting the exposure you’re looking for.

Writing without readers can be useful

While writers expect a response proportional to their efforts, it’s not realistic to measure your writing abilities by how many likes, clicks, claps, or retweets it receives. Trust the process. Each writer has a unique voice, perspective, and writing style, and there are more than enough readers to go around.

This is easier said than done, but try to cherish the beginning of your writing journey. Maybe you’ve heard the phrase, “dance like no one’s looking.” Well, the same can be said about writing. When you’re writing into the void, you get to “write like no one’s reading” because they aren’t. Not yet, anyway.

When you’re writing into the void, you have an opportunity to experiment. Perhaps you always wanted to write a short story but feel a bit shy about using an unfamiliar genre. When no one is reading, you have nothing to fear. The only way out of the void is up. Writers progress over time, and when you are writing into the void, you give yourself a chance to progress without the pressures that come with having a large audience.

But keep publishing those pieces anyway! Either way, this early stage of online publishing gives you the freedom to develop your writing skills and marketing strategy.

Growing a readership takes time

If you continue to write, readers will come. In the meantime, develop a proactive approach. Get comfortable with self-promotion and networking. Even if you are writing, editing, and publishing, you may not be giving your stories the legs they need to find readers.

Friends and family members who generally support your other goals might not seem interested in becoming loyal readers. However, as Giana Pella wrote, “The people in my life weren’t going to be my most enthusiastic readers, but they are supportive in other ways.”

Share your story with friends, family members, and people who value the same topics you enjoy writing about. Use social media, writing groups, and conversations in your daily life to amplify your writing. Remember, your audience will most likely consist of people you’ve never met before. Many of them will be writers because we love reading.

Keep in mind, no matter how appealing your writing is, growing your audience takes time and effort. It requires a bit of diplomacy. After sharing your writing in every possible way, you still need to network. If all you do is share your work without supporting other writers, reading, and sharing your perspectives, people will see your self-promotion is only self-serving. It would be best if you avoided that pitfall at all costs.

Writers are readers

Commit time to read others’ words and network with like-minded people. As Teressa P. wrote, “The Secret To Grow Your Audience: Reading Reciprocity: You Can’t Skip This Step and Expect Success.” Self-promo and networking go hand in hand. When applied side-by-side, your writing can and will leave the void.

Sometimes networking and self-promotion will still fail in the short term. To succeed as a writer, you have to apply these skills consistently. After writing, you can make a habit of reading a few stories, for example. However, whatever you decide to do, develop consistency in your efforts.

If you consider the careers of some of your favorite writers, you will see that writing and rejection go hand in hand. Sometimes, when we fail, it’s best to reflect on what went right and which things went off the rails. Try writing five stories. After you’re done, reflect on what you did or didn’t do after publishing each story. Analyze the quality of your writing, starting with the title, and work your way down. If you can see where your writing can improve, focus on improving these skills. Did readers like one story and ignore another? Ponder “why” and use the following five articles to experiment with new methods. Do all that you can do before you even consider putting down your pen for good.

While it may be tempting, try not to compare yourself to other writers. They each have a unique origin story, and their success is not proof of your failure. Understand that writing into the void is a perfectly natural part of developing your craft. Growing an audience takes effort over time. When you are first getting started, you ought to get comfortable with writing into the void. Use this time to create a writing schedule, a method for self-promotion, and practice your networking skills. Whatever you do, remember we’ve all been there.

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