In the spirit of being Delulu, I am a Billionaire writer, let's say J.K Rowlings and this is 100k subscribers, not 100. So today, as an “expert” who has done it and is still doing it, I am sharing tips for beginners and mid-level writers who “aspire to perspire” to be like me one day.
If you are not a writer, don't run away yet. These tips will also help you in your career. So come with me. Please be careful. Don’t step on the flowers.
Why is she writing this? Just 100 followers and she wants to write as an expert? She should just organise a masterclass and let us know she is serious. Well, if you didn't already know, this year I am being delusional and doing the things that appeal to me including writing this.
Is it a big deal that I finally got a hundred subscribers? Yes. Some “haters” will say it's not. But this is the point where you should probably hug that transformer in your street.
I don't want to keep you waiting so let's dive into it.
Let fear hold you down from starting
You know that voice in your head that says you can't do it? Believe it. You will end up with endless unpublished writings sitting pretty in your cloud folders like brand-new shoes waiting for a special occasion.
I published my coming soon letter on 6th April 2022 at 4:14 pm. I had opened a Substack account and was trying to figure out how it works. Guess I didn't “come soon” because my first post wasn't up till October 26th 2022 at 9:17 am.
Who said you can't take your time to prepare and wear your armour to fight the voice in your head always telling you that your writing wasn't good enough every time you want to post on Substack?
From an expert, take all the time you need; from one week to a month, before you know it's almost six months or a year, and you forget you ever opened a Substack account.
“Is that voice still there Madame?”
“Ehmmm…yes.”
“Did you defeat it?”
“Well, I do that every time I show up.”
Note: There will always be that doubt lingering, waiting to sabotage your self-confidence. Your writing is good and even if you feel like it, there is always room for improvement. And growth happens by constant practice. So stop waiting for validity to start anything you wish to start.
Talk down on yourself
What two things am I best at? Self-sabotaging and self-sabotaging. So tell yourself every day that you don't know what you are doing.
Who told you that you write well? People shaa like to lie to others to make them feel good. People on your contact list lie to you? Do you think your writing is suitable for everyone, that people can read and relate to this crap?
My friend go take a sit at the back. So every time you want to write, talk yourself out of it and when you manage to forcefully get some words down, be too scared to hit the publish button.
Note: Self-sabotaging is one way to kill your writing career (or whatever else you do). If you keep beating yourself up and telling yourself you can't do it then you can't. Best to believe and take a step even when that voice in your head says you are not good.
Be inconsistent
My writing and publishing routine has been chaotic. I mean they said chaos is cool so… I keep publishing on different days and going AWOL for weeks. I always return with apologies like chocolates for my subscribers.
At least I'm nice, I apologise (then disappear again). What a fantastic way to build on Substack, keep old subscribers and get new ones. You have to disappoint them on the days they expect your letters, then send a “surprise surprise” on any day you feel like.
Note: I disappeared too many times and have a total of 40 published posts in a total of 16 months. This is very poor for someone who claims to be writing weekly. Being consistent is one way to build an audience. Always show up on the days you say you would. As they say, “Consistency will take you where talent wouldn't.”
Don’t create and stick to your writing time, publish inside your head:
I live in my head a lot, maybe a little too much. As an Agba writer, I don't need writing time. Sometimes I block out time in my calendar to write but most times, I write for the audience in my head.
“Ooh poor thing, doesn't she have spare time?” Ooh, I do actually. I spend them reading mostly or watching movies instead of writing.
Note: Don't be like me. I feel guilty that I'm not doing what I am supposed to do but don't stop either. I am creating time to write now and trying my best to shun distractions including keeping my phone a bit far from me whenever I want to get things done.
In addition, do you want to know what I do when I publish my post and I am shown the various ways I can make noise about it and get more people to read it? No? I jejely press the back button and move on.
Whatever it is that you do, let people know it. Make noise about your work. Share on social media, and tell your friends. A closed mouth doesn't get fed. Look at me…100 subscribers in 491 days. I know I could have grown faster if I put in the work.
There is no shortcut to becoming a writer or a better one than reading and writing a lot. It's not just writing, all the above applies to everything we do in life. So go pick your lesson(s).
I am grateful to everyone who reads my letters. Thank you to my subscribers. I still write because you read.
Cheers to a new beginning with my 100 babies.
See you in the next letter. I am always rooting for you.
With love and everything beautiful,
Chinonyelum.
Media of the Week
Podcasts:
I am trying to cultivate the habit of listening to podcasts. Last week I listened to one of the episodes of “I beg your pardon” by Nurse John and “What now?” by Trevor Noah where he had a heartwarming interview with Idris Elba. Both Podcasts were satisfying to listen to.
Books/Other Writings:
I am currently reading “Wahala” by Nikki May and I have a lot of things to say. I may do a review afterwards but I will be sharing more in subsequent letters.
Picture:
Nothing explains my situation better than this. The struggle…
.. Thank you Nonye.. for always writing 'relatably'...and for the humor in these trying adulthood times..🥴