Patience, Perseverance, and Passion are Requirements for a Writer

When you start to look at yourself as a professional writer (i.e. one who earns money for the craft), you will realize that in the beginning it can be a bit daunting and not very lucrative.  It takes more than raw talent to start earning a paycheck. While there may be those who hit it big right out of the gate, that is rarely true with anyone in the creative arts.

How do you make money as a writer?

Well, I have learned in the last few years as a freelance writer that there are many qualities outside of skill that will make you money.

The truth is there are those making money with little skill, but will work for slave wages.  Then, there are those with beautiful skills but don't market themselves, never catch that first motivating break, and simply give up.  My post about not having an American Idol for writers addresses the latter group.  Getting recognized is not always easy.

While skill is a critical part to make a serious living, here are three important traits I think a writer should have to ever make significant money from writing. I will call them the three P's - patience, passion, and perseverance.

Patience is a Virtue in Writing, Too

Since writing is a slow earning process, it can try your patience.  When you see the pennies trickle in each day from your writing or get that whopping $10 for an article, it can be very disheartening, not too mention barely a blip on your back account or divot in your bills.

Understanding this prolonged path to riches is key to making it as a writer.  As I mentioned, there will be those minor group of people who fall into the overnight success category, this is generally not the case.

I would suggest that 95% of writers will either deal with rejection, low pay, writer's block, not be taken serious, or creative exhaustion. Or all of the above.  Sure, this is some made up statistic, but probably close to accurate.  When you have those odds stacked against you, it can be tiresome. When you come across someone in that 5% category it can really try your patience even more.

But, if you hang in there, you will catch that break.  In time.

Speaking of hanging in there....

Keep on Trodding Along

When your patience is tried and you are still not seeing any substantial income, it may be tempting to give in and give up at making a living as a writer.  VERY tempting.  Some of these thoughts may go through your head:

• The competition is just too much.
• I have no experience except my silly blog.
• Low paying gigs are taking over and high-paying jobs have disappeared.
• Who would hire me?
• This is too hard.
• I have no creative energy left.
• People think my writing is some sort of hobby and laugh behind my back.
• I don't know where to find jobs.
• No one really makes a living as a full-time writer, unless they write a book.
• I should just get a real job and give up on this crazy dream.

I just came up with these statements - not like I ever thought them myself.  Are any of these true for you?  Are many of them true?  If none of these thoughts have ever crossed your mind - maybe you are in that elite 5%.  If you have thought one or more of these, welcome to the majority.  But, giving up will mean you will NEVER make is as a writer. Perseverance is key here!

I Have to Love to Write??

This sounds like a obvious thing, but if you don't love to write, it will be hard for you to make a living from it.  Many writers may THINK they love to write, but writing for money is a LOT different.  It means you may have to write things you don't want to write.  Can you imagine?

You may get assignments on topics you don't really care to write about.  You may have to follow strict guidelines.  You will have to write A LOT.  You may have to write for FREE to build up a portfolio, samples, resume, etc.  Did I mention that you will have to write a lot?  Just checking.  Because this point is important.

If you don't have these three skills - you chances are lower that you will be a successful freelance writer.  There may be other important traits as well.  But, this is a short list of adjectives to identify traits of a freelance writer.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments on these or other qualities you think a writer should have!

Related articles

• You CAN Make A Real Living as a Freelance Writer (inspiredtowrite.com)
• Where are the High Paying Writing Jobs? (inspiredtowrite.com)
• Do People Take Writers Seriously? (inspiredtowrite.com)