Hi, everyone! I’m Yevhen and I’m working as a writer and SEO content manager for more than four years.
I’ve started as a financial report freelance writer on upwork, then switched to financial journalism in one of Ukrainian media outlets and later continued my career in SEO content management. At this point I’ve already realised, that writing craft is my passion.
It ended me up as a 30 people content team lead with content production of nearly one million words per month and multiple projects popping in the google top 10 in pretty competitive niches. Now I ran my own content writing agency TwiyoContent, for less then a year - you can check it via the link.
For someone It may be not a lot (I know guys who work for 10+ years in industry), but I’ve decided that this may be a decent enough background to warn you why you shouldn’t start writing career in 2023.
Or, you should at least be aware of the challenges you will face 100%. Here is my trouble-list:
Creative burnout
Writing can be mentally and emotionally taxing, and some writers may experience creative burnout as a result. This can manifest as a lack of motivation or inspiration, as well as feelings of frustration or disappointment with one's own work.
How can you deal with it?
Take a break
Sometimes the best thing you can do when you're feeling burned out is to step away from your writing for a little while. Taking a break can help you recharge your creative batteries and come back to your work with a fresh perspective. Try doing something completely unrelated to writing, such as going for a walk, listening to music, or spending time with loved ones.
Change up your routine
If you find that you're stuck in a rut with your writing, try shaking things up a bit. This could mean writing in a new location, trying a different genre or style of writing, or even just changing the time of day when you write. By making small changes to your routine, you may be able to jumpstart your creativity and break through your burnout.
Practice self-care
Taking care of yourself both physically and mentally is crucial when dealing with creative burnout. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly. Additionally, find ways to reduce stress in your life, such as meditation or yoga. Taking care of your physical and mental health can help you feel more energized and ready to tackle your writing projects.
Rejection
Writing is a subjective art, and not everyone will like what you write. As a result, rejection is a common experience for writers. Whether it's a publisher rejecting your manuscript or a reader leaving a negative review, rejection can be difficult to handle and can lead to feelings of self-doubt.
What you should (or shouldn’t) do about it?
Don't take it personally
Remember that rejection is not a reflection of your worth as a writer or as a person. Publishing content is a subjective industry, and what one publisher or customer may reject, another may love. Try not to internalize the rejection or let it affect your confidence in your writing ability.
Keep writing
The best way to overcome rejection is to keep writing. Don't let a rejection letter or email stop you from pursuing your writing dreams. Use the rejection as motivation to improve your writing skills and to keep pushing forward. Consider revising your manuscript, seeking feedback from writing groups or beta readers, or exploring new genres or styles.
Seek support
Writing can be a solitary pursuit, but it doesn't have to be. Consider joining a writing group or attending writing workshops or conferences where you can connect with other writers and gain valuable feedback and support. You can also seek support from friends and family who understand the challenges of being a writer and can offer encouragement and perspective
Isolation
Writing is often a solitary activity, and many writers spend long hours working alone. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially if you work from home or have limited contact with other writers or creative professionals.
Join a writing community
Joining a writing community can be a great way to connect with other writers who share your interests and can provide feedback, support, and encouragement. Look for writing groups in your local area or online, or consider attending writing workshops or conferences where you can connect with other writers.
Schedule social activities
It's important to schedule social activities outside of writing to break up the monotony of being alone with your work. Consider scheduling regular outings with friends or family, or joining a hobby group or sports team to stay connected to your community and engage in other activities you enjoy.
Create a routine to communicate
Creating a routine can help you stay disciplined and focused on your writing while also allowing for breaks and social activities. Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to take a walk, exercise, or engage in other activities that help you recharge. Consider setting aside specific times each day for writing, socializing, and self-care to help balance your schedule.
Financial instability
Many writers struggle to make a living from their writing alone. While some writers are able to support themselves solely through writing, others may need to supplement their income with other jobs or freelance work. This can lead to financial instability and uncertainty, which can be stressful.
How is it possible to fix?
There are tips you can take to manage your finances and improve your financial situation while being a writer:
Diversify your income
Many writers supplement their writing income with other types of work, such as entrepreneurship, tutoring, or working part-time in a different field. Consider exploring different ways to earn money that align with your skills and interests. This can help you avoid finance-related stress and build a more stable and diversified income stream.
Build your brand
Building your brand as a writer can help you attract more readers and generate more income from your writing. Consider developing a strong online presence through social media, building a website, or creating an email list. You can also explore different ways to monetize your writing, such as selling merchandise, offering courses or workshops, or crowdfunding your projects.
Criticism
While constructive criticism can be helpful for improving one's writing, some writers may face harsh or unfair criticism from others. This can be demotivating and hurtful, especially if the criticism is directed at something deeply personal or important to the writer.
Can you deal with it?
Try theses hints to overcome the unstoppable flow of edits, comments and critics:
Stay open-minded
When receiving criticism, it's important to stay open-minded and try to view the feedback objectively. Try not to take it personally, and remember that criticism can help you grow and improve as a writer. Consider the source of the criticism and whether it's coming from a place of constructive feedback or from someone who may not understand your work.
Look for patterns
When receiving criticism, try to look for patterns in the feedback. Are multiple people pointing out the same issues or concerns? If so, this may be an area where you can focus your efforts to improve your writing. Consider taking notes on the feedback you receive and looking for common themes or suggestions.
Use the criticism to improve
Ultimately, the goal of criticism is to help you improve your writing. Use the feedback you receive to make revisions to your work and to continue growing as a writer. Consider seeking out beta readers or joining a writing group to get regular feedback on your work and to develop your skills as a writer.
Bottom line
If You love writing and are ready for this challenges, then it may be a rewarding craft, that gives you self fullfilment and joy, after all. Even if you struggle at some point. However if you’re not ready for struggles, burnout, depression, tons of edits and critisicm of your work - avoid writing career at all costs. This is my personal advice.