Amanda, this landed on the perfect day! Some of these questions are particularly relevant for me right now, especially what a go-to strategy for getting unstuck looks like. Although I identify more with being a DIY Writer, my approach to "pushing through" is more like that of a Creative Entrepreneur; i.e. keep going, stick to deadlines, etc. Any thoughts on that from you, or any other readers?!
I think if the push works for you and doesn’t create blocks, I don’t see why it needs to change. You may be a little more DIY Writer with a focused production bent — and that’s lovely to me.
I think creative entrepreneurs are often evaluating when the push is productive and when they need to redirect their energy and take time to be more in flow. That tension doesn’t sound like it shows up for you. :)
I love this label: “DIY Writer”. Yup, that’s me. It was reportedly my first spoken sentence: “Me do it!”, and that pretty much says it all. I’m retired from paid work, which gives me the freedom to work on myself, read widely, and write to learn.
This is both so informative and filled with points to reflect on - thank you, I love that approach.
I’m a bit of a both/and writer and I think one of the challenges (or opportunities?) for me is to find the sweet spot where I channel the creativity and flow of a DIY writer while also being strategic.
And where does the DIY mindset become part of the strategy?
Ahhh thanks, Hanna. I think you're asking the right questions here.
In my experience, DIY Writers get stuck when they think that if they want to make money, they either DON'T have to change anything ("Nothing to learn or see or do here. I'll just hope and pray!") OR they assume they have to change EVERYTHING and get a bunch of complex systems and tools. I prefer an iterative approach of taking the best business ideas/processes and translating them, trying them on, one by one, for who DIY Writers are at heart. I think a lot of folks get disillusioned because they're forced into grand entrepreneurial systems (read: high pressure!) that just aren't necessary for them to also grow.
Yes! And growth (in the sense of paid or unpaid subscribers) isn’t the only measure of success! You talk a lot about trust and so I’ve decided this month to focus on trust with my existing readers (including those who only recently joined) instead. Deepening and listening vs adding more on top.
It's so interesting to read the different ways that these surveys show us to ourselves (or me to myself). Definitely a DIY here but trying to think about different approaches that make the kind of work I do--which is very research-intensive and therefore time-intensive--sustainable.
This is so helpful Amanda. Thank you. I am definitely a DYI Writer and Creative Entrepreneur. Right now, as I mentioned in my comment on your last post on this survey, I have less energy for the entrepreneur facet, due to health issues. The ideas are there ready to implement and the energy to get them done isn't.
I am a DIY writer, who can't help getting distracted by the shiny things that attract a Creative Entreprener. Sometime I wonder if I should block those out first and focus on why I am here :)
I am totally here to claim DIY Writer, even though there is a small part of me that *thinks I should* lean more into Creative Entrepreneur. When I started almost a year ago my intention was for this to be a place where I wrote creatively and personally, and that is something I still want to do so I'm staying there. I will say that a lot of my time has been going to consuming the incredible content on Substack which has taken away from my actual craft of writing. My process is typically to write furiously when the inspiration strikes but I wonder if that has been hindered a bit because I'm not really giving myself enough space for that to flow. And I also want to read all the good stuff here! 🙃🫠🙃🫠
Amanda, this landed on the perfect day! Some of these questions are particularly relevant for me right now, especially what a go-to strategy for getting unstuck looks like. Although I identify more with being a DIY Writer, my approach to "pushing through" is more like that of a Creative Entrepreneur; i.e. keep going, stick to deadlines, etc. Any thoughts on that from you, or any other readers?!
Love this question. Do you enjoy the pushing through to a deadline? Does it feel supportive and regenerative or is there a punitive lining to it?
ha ha you guessed what the challenge is... !
I think if the push works for you and doesn’t create blocks, I don’t see why it needs to change. You may be a little more DIY Writer with a focused production bent — and that’s lovely to me.
I think creative entrepreneurs are often evaluating when the push is productive and when they need to redirect their energy and take time to be more in flow. That tension doesn’t sound like it shows up for you. :)
I love this label: “DIY Writer”. Yup, that’s me. It was reportedly my first spoken sentence: “Me do it!”, and that pretty much says it all. I’m retired from paid work, which gives me the freedom to work on myself, read widely, and write to learn.
“Me do it!!” The DIY Writer’s anthem. 😂 You’re in good company here. :)
This is both so informative and filled with points to reflect on - thank you, I love that approach.
I’m a bit of a both/and writer and I think one of the challenges (or opportunities?) for me is to find the sweet spot where I channel the creativity and flow of a DIY writer while also being strategic.
And where does the DIY mindset become part of the strategy?
Ahhh thanks, Hanna. I think you're asking the right questions here.
In my experience, DIY Writers get stuck when they think that if they want to make money, they either DON'T have to change anything ("Nothing to learn or see or do here. I'll just hope and pray!") OR they assume they have to change EVERYTHING and get a bunch of complex systems and tools. I prefer an iterative approach of taking the best business ideas/processes and translating them, trying them on, one by one, for who DIY Writers are at heart. I think a lot of folks get disillusioned because they're forced into grand entrepreneurial systems (read: high pressure!) that just aren't necessary for them to also grow.
Yes! And growth (in the sense of paid or unpaid subscribers) isn’t the only measure of success! You talk a lot about trust and so I’ve decided this month to focus on trust with my existing readers (including those who only recently joined) instead. Deepening and listening vs adding more on top.
Thanks for this! Good introspective questions.
I am fortunate enough to be a DIY writer. I love building community & connections. My aim is to keep improving my writing & what I offer.
Thanks for these insights 🙏
It's so interesting to read the different ways that these surveys show us to ourselves (or me to myself). Definitely a DIY here but trying to think about different approaches that make the kind of work I do--which is very research-intensive and therefore time-intensive--sustainable.
This is so helpful Amanda. Thank you. I am definitely a DYI Writer and Creative Entrepreneur. Right now, as I mentioned in my comment on your last post on this survey, I have less energy for the entrepreneur facet, due to health issues. The ideas are there ready to implement and the energy to get them done isn't.
Yes I am
Me too and would like just some financial support
My favourite part is freedom....
I think I’m more of a creative entrepreneur than I thought!
I am a DIY writer, who can't help getting distracted by the shiny things that attract a Creative Entreprener. Sometime I wonder if I should block those out first and focus on why I am here :)
YES Rachel. I see this and I feel this! <3
I am totally here to claim DIY Writer, even though there is a small part of me that *thinks I should* lean more into Creative Entrepreneur. When I started almost a year ago my intention was for this to be a place where I wrote creatively and personally, and that is something I still want to do so I'm staying there. I will say that a lot of my time has been going to consuming the incredible content on Substack which has taken away from my actual craft of writing. My process is typically to write furiously when the inspiration strikes but I wonder if that has been hindered a bit because I'm not really giving myself enough space for that to flow. And I also want to read all the good stuff here! 🙃🫠🙃🫠