Let’s start with a quote.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. “ Muhammad Ali
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
I could ramble on for quite some time about Ali, my childhood hero, and what he meant to me, but this blog is about writing, so let’s look at this quote with writing in mind.
Is writing a novel a daunting task to you? Are you finding it hard to write each day? Do you suffer from a lack of confidence? Do you have self-doubts regarding your writing abilities?
Nothing will change if nothing changes!
And you can quote me on that!
TIP OF THE DAY
Quit making excuses!
PERSONAL UPDATE
I just finished my fourth novella in the Billy the Kid Chronicles…..”Home is a Dangerous Place.” This one is brand new, never before seen online or on HubPages.
And that leaves me at a crossroads. What do I do next? I could keep writing about Billy the Kid for the next five years. He’s easy to write about, and I can do a novella in about a month…but…
I feel like taking on another novel, which leads me to the next quandary….a new novel in my “Shadows” series, or a coming of age novel set in the 60’s, or the sequel to the “12/59 Shuttle?” So many choices!
So right now I’m taking a break. I think I’ll take a break for the entire month of June….a break from book-writing, that is…and when my muse speaks to me, I’ll start up again.
FREELANCING GIGS
Someone asked me the other day in the Mailbag where they could look for high-paying freelance gigs. I hesitated on my answer…there are quite a few sites where you can get paid crap or you can get paid good money, depending on your writing ability….if any of you have any suggestions I’ll pass them along to the person who asked that question.
But the bottom line for all of you is this: if you don’t have the skills then you aren’t going to get paid top dollar. Work on your craft first before you worry about making money. This is my number one pet peeve in today’s world with regards to writers. The internet has made it possible for everyone to proclaim that they are a writer!!! After all, they’ve published their swill online, so that must mean they are writers, correct? They’ve even gotten paid $5 for 400 words of rubbish, so they must be writers, correct?
No, it is not correct, and never will be in my mind.
Work on your craft until it holds up under scrutiny. Climb the ladder from awful to sub-standard to merely okay, and then work your butt off and become good, and then very good and then, maybe, excellent.
Then come back to me and tell me you’re a writer and you deserve top dollar for what you’ve written.
NEED A BOOK COVER?
Who ya going to call? Call Mike Friedman and tell him what you need. Mike does a great job and he’s a good man. What more could you ask for?
A SHORT ONE THIS WEEK
I’ll give you a break and stop here. Thanks, as always, for taking the time to stop by. Have a great week of writing and remember, “impossible” is just a word used by people looking for an excuse.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
What great advice here today, Bill, but then again I wouldn’t expect any less form you ever. Happy Tuesday now, my friend 🙂
Aw, thanks, Janine! our mutual respect society of two is a wonderful thing. 🙂 Happy Tuesday Janine!
Hi Bill. Your own quote is excellent in it’s own right. Always seeking to inspire.
Graham.
Thank you Graham! I truly do appreciate that. I hope you are well, my friend.
I’m so psyched that you’re nearly finished with another volume of work! And it’s true: you have to start out at the bottom.
And precisely why – I think, anyways – I’ve never published a book. See…I just never felt like the content wasn’t good enough. But now I’m in the editing stages of a whirlwind thing I churned out. I’m farther than I’ve ever gotten.
I have no idea if it’ll be received well, but I know I’m on to something. Can’t wait for more “chill” days in the days ahead to move forward with writing. It’s becoming…an obsession. 🙂
Take care, Big Bro! Sending hugs!
Exciting times for you, Lil Sis, and I’m rooting for you from 3000 miles away. YOU GO, GIRL! Those kinds of obsessions are good!
Thanks I needed that!
My pleasure, buddy! Thank you!
Your post reminds me of my favorite line from Star Wars where Yoda says, “Try? Try? There is no try. There is only do or do not!”
I totally agree, Donna, it’s something I used to tell my students.
You’re funny, Bill. But you are also very right. Impossible is what I say when all my other excuses sound “old” and overused. For example, it’s impossible for me to write because I am trying to sell a house right now. I hope people aren’t clever enough to realize that droves of people aren’t looking at my house 24 hours a day. I hope my excuse convinces them that I can’t possibly find a minute to write. Right?
Believe me, Marlene, I get it…I’ve done it….so it’s easy for me to recognize it in the excuses of others. Let’s hope we all knock it off and get busy accomplishing something. LOL
You hit a nail on the head Bill; good writers will be found by high paying clients. I suggest making a website and going to sites like Upwork and Problogger. They are 2 that have been great for me, but my website has garnered me the best jobs.
Thanks for the great post my friend.
I was hoping you would weigh in, Greg…thank you!
As always, a blog full of valuable information. I was afraid to read it due to the title. I am way behind on writing and hope to catch up over the next few weeks. I need your words sounding in my ears for inspiration!
Happy Summer Vacation, Dee, and thank you for thinking of me now that you have free time. I hope you are doing well.
Bill
Just read your post and enjoyed it. For a good place to learn the craft and earn a little while you do tell them to try Copypress!
It’s a ‘content mill in some ways but they have a structure where you start off on a ‘basic’ pay but they’ll teach you how to write and stuff as you work through the ‘levels’
Just an idea of where to start.
Lawrence
Lawrence, I appreciate your input and suggestion…thank you so much.
I couldn’t agree with you more – everyone but everyone is about writing today, not like when we started on HubPages a few years ago. The internet has become an annoying noise over the last few years. And yet, we need it… urrrg.
I’ve been thinking a lot about authenticity in writing lately and how different blogging today is for me, compared to a few years ago. I have a plan I want to try out – sort of “go back” to that real type of writing. It’s hard though – when you’re been “programmed” for this SEO thing and that keyword and this and that. I miss writing for fun. I’m making a plan to get back there…
Your blog here always inspires me to keep it real and to keep going forward, even if there are little bumps or failures along the way – so thank you! Thanks for keeping it real and being who you are 🙂
Enjoy the break – if anyone deserves it, it’s you!
Aw, Mel, thanks so much for your kind words. Keeping it real…no, it is not easy with the SEO craze and everyone needing to make some extra money. It seems quality has taken a back seat to all the junk necessary to get anyone to read you….and I find that sad.
best wishes, my friend
I love Ali’s quote. It would make a great motivational piece for any home office.
Glad to hear you’re taking some time off. I’m sure your gardens and critters need plenty of attention this time of year, anyway.
Enjoy, Bill!
Thanks Sha! Turns out I didn’t take too much time off. LOL I get restless if I do that for too long.