{"id":28078,"date":"2024-02-20T03:00:37","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T11:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=28078"},"modified":"2024-02-16T09:53:50","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T17:53:50","slug":"how-to-transform-from-starving-artist-to-confident-writer-by-kirsten-mcneill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2024\/02\/20\/how-to-transform-from-starving-artist-to-confident-writer-by-kirsten-mcneill\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Transform from \u201cStarving Artist\u201d to Confident Writer by Kirsten McNeill"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"How<\/a>Let\u2019s welcome back Kirsten McNeill<\/a> as she shares with us \u201cHow to Transform from \u201cStarving Artist\u201d to Confident Writer\u201d Enjoy!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t call myself a writer. It\u2019s more like an expensive hobby.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI do it for the passion. It\u2019s not possible for me to be a household name.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever said or thought these words (or something similar), you may be strengthening the starving artist clich\u00e9.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not your fault.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s what you\u2019ve been taught to do through pop culture and comments from people in your life who are not writers.<\/p>\n

Many people view artists and creative types in a constant state of struggle. Writing is simply a hobby that will never go anywhere, right?<\/p>\n

Wrong.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is 100% percent possible to be a full-time writer without constant struggle.<\/p>\n

You can have everything you want, but if you\u2019re not supported or shown a path to get there, it\u2019s discouraging.<\/p>\n

Where does this starving artist clich\u00e9 come from?<\/p>\n

What can we do to abolish it?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

These are big questions, but if you want to be a full-time writer with a confident mindset, it\u2019s worth exploring.<\/p>\n

To transform from starving artist to confident writer, call yourself a successful writer and educate those around you on what that means.<\/p>\n

The Subliminal Messaging
\n<\/b><\/h2>\n

Are you a fan of the show New Girl?<\/p>\n

Nick Miller is the resident writer on the show<\/strong>, taking years to write his zombie novel. He\u2019s the epitome of the struggling artist.<\/p>\n

In Gossip Girl, Dan Humprey doesn\u2019t even submit his own book, and yet he becomes an overnight success in the Upper Eastside.<\/p>\n

Then we have D.C. Parlov, the fantasy author in Brooklyn 99 (who I\u2019m 99% sure is inspired by George R.R. Martin). He\u2019s already a famous person, shown partying and living well in his lavish home.<\/p>\n

Each of these characters represent an extreme version of what is possible for an author.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I use television shows as examples because these references are more quickly accessible.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re exposed to them through memes on social media and not everyone reads books, so those who don\u2019t understand what it\u2019s like to be an author learn through television.<\/p>\n

But where\u2019s the in between?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Where\u2019s the story of the author who is not struggling but also not a household name?<\/p>\n

We\u2019re not exposed to that in T.V. because it\u2019s not \u201cshow biz worthy\u201d.<\/p>\n

T.V. writers don\u2019t tell stories about writers who are doing fine with no conflict, just like you don\u2019t write about characters brushing their teeth and going to work with nothing bad happening to them.<\/p>\n

That story doesn\u2019t engage the reader. It\u2019s not creative storytelling.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When I was in high school, I took an aptitude test to see what type of career I should have.<\/p>\n

I already knew I wanted to be a writer, so I purposefully chose answers that ensured Writer would hit my top spot.<\/p>\n

The moment I read the word Writer on the screen<\/strong>, my teacher came up to me and tugged on the hood of my jacket.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do to buy clothes and put food on the table in the meantime?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Immediately, he was teaching me that even though the aptitude test said Writer was the best career for me, I shouldn\u2019t do it.<\/p>\n

You won\u2019t be able to buy clothes or food if you work as a writer.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Instead of helping me create a plan to succeed, he basically scoffed and said, \u201cGood luck!\u201d<\/p>\n

This attitude is the result of the stories we\u2019re exposed to about what it takes to be a writer.<\/p>\n

What Does the In Between Look Like?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Being a successful writer IS POSSIBLE, but it may look differently than you expected.<\/p>\n

It starts with figuring out what type of writing life you\u2019re aiming for.<\/p>\n

If you want to be a full-time writer, make it happen.<\/strong> Don\u2019t let the media control your expectations.<\/p>\n

The more books you have published, the more visibility you gain which equals more income.<\/p>\n

That visibility can only come if you never stop talking about your books, though!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re self-published, you have a lot more control in the decision making process.<\/p>\n

You choose your prices and how much profit you make.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You choose which authors and readers you want to connect with.<\/p>\n

You choose how to talk about your writing journey with those who don\u2019t understand it.<\/p>\n

The self-publishing industry is a business.<\/p>\n

What makes a successful business?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Multiple revenue streams.<\/p>\n

On top of all the incredible books you\u2019re going to publish, what else can you do to increase income?<\/p>\n