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Almost 5 Years of Online Writing
Felicia | Jan 24, 2012 | Comments 24
February 7th will mark my 5th year anniversary of quitting my part-time job in an attempt to earn money as an online writer.
In those 5 years I’ve earned and learned quite a bit. The largest contributing factor to my online writing success was the decision to transition from up front to residual earnings.
The Changing Seasons
If you’ve been writing online for longer than one year, you know how much things have changed in that short period of time. I’ve witnessed even bigger changes over the past 5 years.
The one underlying constant is quality content works and people like to be told what to do. So much of the Internet is either providing information to help people make a decision or telling people how to make the decision. We are a thirsty bunch for being told what to do and how to do it.
Switching Gears
Regular NJFM followers may have noticed the decline in posting frequency. As I look at the evolution of the Internet, the evolution of my interests and changes in my off line life, I’m finding that NJFM holds a different position in my list of priorities.
While I still enjoy blogging here, I’m finding my enthusiasm is waning. There’s nothing worse than placing uninspired content on a blog just to keep things going.
What am I Saying?
I’m not quite sure. It’s like this. I like to blog, but I like to be inspired when I blog. There are times when the inspiration is hot and on fire and there are other times when it’s not. It seems that I’ve temporarily lost my enthusiasm for writing about writing. I haven’t lost my enthusiasm for writing, it just writing about writing has lost its luster for the time being.
This is not a “RIP” post for the demise of NJFM. It’s an “I have to follow my gut” post because the one thing freelance writing has taught me is to follow my gut.
I’ll continue to post here from time to time, but not as frequently as in the past. Call me crazy, but I think you would much prefer to read inspired content instead of prattling drivel about writing online.
I’ve never really reduced NJFM with just a writing blog. The name doesn’t restrict it.
Feel free to post your stream of conscious thought here as you pursue any endeavor while not having an official job.
I’d love to read it.
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Thanks for the support. You know, “not having an official job” makes it all possible.
Felicia, anything you write is inspiring. You are inspiring. Sometimes though, breaks are necessary. Enjoy your writing, enjoy life. After all, isn’t that why we wanted to freelance from home in the first place? Your readers will be here.
You have a point, Ken. Freelancing from home IS the best!
I enjoy each post and miss you when you’re quiet, Felicia. I’ve learned so much here at NJFM and am forever indebted to you for sharing so freely and allowing the rest of us to join in. But I know that the reason NJFM is so great is your quality content written from the heart. So I will be sending positive thoughts your direction for renewed inspiration while patiently awaiting your future posts. Best to you in all your online endeavors. Anywhere else online we all might look when we need our Felicia-fix?
Crystal recently posted..These Boots are Made for Walking
Thanks for the support, Crystal. I’ll be dabbling here and there. Playing with some of my old blogs and working on a few new ones (when the mood hits).
Felicia, I completely understand how you are feeling because I went through this with Write Moms. At first I thought I would keep it going, but truth be told, I was no longer inspired to find and share new freelance writing opportunities. I have moved on instead to doing what I’ve always wanted to do – novel writing – and I am so happy that I did.
NJFM is a wonderful blog full of useful information and posts that inspire people to follow their dreams – and it will continue to be that whether or not you decide to keep writing new posts. Sometimes, it is just time to move on. Life is too short to do something you feel you have to do but don’t want to do. Do what makes you happy!
Deanna recently posted..Loving the Great Reviews for Both Books & Outlaw Heroes Ranks #32!
I remember when you gave up Write Moms to get back to writing novels. I admired your decision and now fully understand how you felt.
I’ll continue to dabble with my online properties until I find my next calling or direction.
Since I’ve only been following you for a relatively short time, no doubt you have enough to keep me satisfied for quite sometime.
One thing about writing, you never really know where you’ll end up.
Deanna, I started my own site based on my freelance journey. It’s nice to see someone else begin this way, but end up in a totally different realm. I suspect this may happen to me, as well.
I join with Crystal and ask that you leave us all a trail!
Shelley recently posted..Talented Only Apply
Felicia, I completely agree with Ken and Chrystal. They said it all. I can only add – what I have told you many times before – that you have been an inspiration in my life. I always look forward to reading your NJFM posts and miss your regular delivery of writing wisdoms. However, I can certainly understand that you must follow your heart. I will continue to read NJFM whenever you shift gears – albeit occasionally – and post something there. By the way, I am enjoying your newsletter. God speed to you, Felicia.
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Thanks, Loretta.
While it’s important not to write when you have nothing to say, it’s also important to trudge and force your way through patches when you feel you have nothing to say here. In fact, you just wrote a very successful post for NJFM about having nothing you want to say here.
On So Much More Life, I’ve often written about not getting anything done, and some of those posts are among my favorites and my readers’ favorites.
Gip
Gip @ So Much More Life recently posted..Just A Little Off: Gip Plaster There’s More To Life Blog
Never thought of it that way, Gip.
I understand where you are coming from as there are times were I am really passionate about my blog but other times it just seems like I can’t come up with anything to write about. The thing is I have plenty of other sites to keep me busy so it is nice being able to write on a variety of different topics.
Congrats on 5 years as later this year it will be 5 years online for me as well!
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Congrats to you on your 5 year anniversary. I guess after 5 years a bit of a writing break is in order.
Peace, love and happiness. We all get wrecked sometimes. Perseverance and resilience in each of us are what determines if we can pull ourselves back together and continue on.
I went through some stuff myself recently and am no just getting back to normal.
Write, love, drink scotch and be merry! See you on the flip side!
Take care…
Ken Muise recently posted..Blogging For Money, My New Authority Site
Glad things are back to normal for you Ken. I’m going to swap out the scotch and replace it with Chardonnay instead.
Go GIANTS!!!
As long as Felicia continues to write, we will be able to keep up with her! As I read your post and realized what you were saying, I slowed down to a stop. I did not want to continue only to find out I was losing out… (my inner child immediately pouted for a half second). Then I realized how lucky we have all been to have experienced Felicia A. Williams and her talents. I have learned so much since finding you. My life has been enriched and that is always a positive.
What a nice comment, Joni. Thanks.
I’m not gone, just taking a bit of a break.
I understand. In the post-Panda era, I’m striking out in unlikely directions — changing things up revitalizes me.
Yesterday I ran across a blogger who suggested ways to apply “less is more” to blogging. Sounds like you’re there — and I agree. I resisted blogging for most of my three years of making all of my income online — the only way I manage to write most days of the week without becoming completely burned out is by mixing it up a lot.
I’m musing about ways to structure sites to appeal to readers — and my own quirky fascinations — and I’m planning to limit each site. I’ll update them, but I’m not going to live there.
In the time I’ve been following you I’ve been struck by your big-hearted and intelligent approach to your work. It makes sense to follow your heart and limit your time here to when you’re feeling it.
Thanks for the gift of all that you’ve shared here.
Trent
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I know this will sound odd, but I saw Anne Wayman do it about a month or so ago. Announce a guest posting month and take time off.
Another idea, switch the blog to whatever you are currently working on. NJFM is still about freelancing and not having a job – which, I add, you still don’t right?
A third idea, bring back an old group of posts that might still work as a visit to the past. More time off. Reduce posts to three times per week maybe.
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Those are all nice ideas. I’m not so sure they’ll work for me but I can see how they can help to keep a blog going when a blogger wants to take a break.
I know I am a little late but congrats on hitting the 5 year mark! Febuary 7th is also my mom’s 50th birthday!
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Happy birthday to your mom and tell her I said “Welcome to the over 50 club.”