Three years ago, something compelled me to set up a blog and start writing. I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t even really know what a blog was, I just knew I needed to do something creative. After brain-storming the shit out of my white, spare-room wall, I came up with blogging in order to quench my creative thirst.
I hadn’t done any creative writing since school. I didn’t know if I’d have anything to say but I just bloody did it. (Which is pretty much my attitude to life.) It was always meant to be an anonymous thing. I told a few friends and family about it and that was it.
Of course, everyone said it was great but that’s what they had to say. There’s an obligation that your friends and family support what you do, so I didn’t take their praise seriously. It was only when strangers started finding it and reaching out, that I began to feel like what I was saying was half-decent.
Fast forward three years and my blog has been viewed over 14,000 times. It’s not a huge amount in blogging stakes but I’m not really a blogger, I’m a writer. I don’t say that to sound pretentious, I just don’t blog. I don’t review products or collaborate with brands. I don’t write with SEO in mind or worry about reach or creating click-bait. I just write from the heart, about things that come into my head, with the hope that it’ll resonate and make someone feel better.
Early on, I was lucky enough to write for Macmillan Cancer Support. The encouragement I got from my editor there made me think people might even pay for my words. So, I quit my job and jumped into freelancing. I’d like to say I’m now a full-time writer and earn my money just writing. In truth, I have 4 jobs, (my dad calls it a portfolio career don’t-you-know), but writing is a big part of my work life.
I guess that’s meant that the blog has fallen to the bottom of the list, because I don’t earn money from writing this stuff. I’m essentially giving away content for free. When you’re freelance, you have to focus on making money and writing for clients so I’ve not been doing this and writing for myself. That’s something I’d like to change. Writing makes me feel better. It calms my overactive mind and helps me deal with my emotions. It helps other people too, I know that because people tell me.
So, what’s the point of this post? Well, to say “Hi”, to remind you (and myself) what I’m all about and why I’m doing this.
I also wanted to tell you about my next project in relation to the blog. *Drum roll please*
I’m writing a book!
Yep, It’s Character Building the book, is coming. It’ll be an amalgamation of the blog posts, some re-worked, some brand new. It’ll basically be a realistic self-help/positivity guide which doesn’t take itself too seriously.
I’ve never written a book. I don’t know if anyone would buy it, or be interested. I don’t know how to publish it or where to sell it. Let’s be honest, I have no fucking clue what I’m doing, but when has that ever stopped me?!
So there you go. From anonymous blog to freelance writer with a book on the way. I guess I just want to thank you all for your support. Anyone who takes the time to read this jumble of thoughts and not think it’s total shit, is a hero. Also, I just want to show you that if I can make shit like this happen, with all my incompetence, then you can too! It’s amazing what a bit of hard work and self-belief can do.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in the past the years, it’s that the only person who can stop you doing something, is you. So stop stopping and start starting!
