Chapter 1: The Reality of Writing Success

Let’s face it: much of the advice circulating about making a living through writing is, frankly, unhelpful. If you’re reading this, you probably dream of being a professional writer. You may even follow several popular accounts on platforms like Medium, where writers have amassed large followings and offer courses or newsletters. It seems to be the standard approach among many so-called "successful" authors.

Have you subscribed to their newsletters or purchased their courses and ebooks? How's that been working out for you?

To clarify, I’m not criticizing writers who have achieved greater success than I have. I’m in the same boat as you; I’ve subscribed, read, attended workshops, and attempted to implement the strategies these successful authors promote.

Did it yield results for me? No. Could it, perhaps? Maybe, if I were to dedicate myself entirely to writing. But frankly, I’m not willing to live on instant noodles.

The reality is that there is a wealth of valuable advice out there that, if properly utilized, can help you navigate the complexities of the writing landscape. However, here's the catch...

I’m not looking to be a Tim Denning, Eve Arnold, or Niharikaa Kaur Sodhi (whom I greatly admire, by the way).

If you haven’t already realized this, don’t panic. None of the writers I mentioned achieved their success overnight. For instance, Tim and Eve have both been honing their craft for over a decade, while it took Niharikaa more than three years to gain significant traction.

Why is this important? Because the simple truth is that achieving success as a writer requires a considerable investment of time—years, in fact.

We (myself included) need to dedicate time to refine our skills. While advice from those who have "made it" is valuable, spending money on courses or ebooks that promise to teach you how to earn six figures as a writer is often a waste if you are just starting out.

If you’re anything like me, you might have a job, a family, or writing might simply be an outlet for stress relief. While some may have ample time to invest in writing, many of us are juggling various responsibilities and can only write when the opportunity arises. The time spent "prepping to write" can be a significant barrier.

The oft-repeated but sometimes overused adage is to "just write."

Many of the authors I admire on Medium and elsewhere are simply passionate storytellers who write for the sheer enjoyment of it. You can sense that enthusiasm in their work.

I believe Tim, Eve, and Niharikaa all started from a place of pure creativity before turning their passion into a profession. Now, they receive compensation for their craft, which is fantastic! That’s how one makes a living as a writer.

If you’re in the early stages of your writing journey, by all means, follow their newsletters and read their articles. However, refrain from spending on courses or ebooks until you are ready to apply what you learn.

I cannot emphasize this enough: first, discover your unique voice.

That’s where I currently find myself—searching for my niche. Admittedly, I’m still in the process of figuring it out, which is perfectly okay.

Early on, I found myself obsessively following successful writers, subscribing to their newsletters, and enrolling in courses, only to realize that while their insights were valuable, I wasn’t ready to implement them.

Was that investment wasted? For me, yes. I believe I would have gained more from their guidance further along my journey.

Here’s my unsolicited, free advice for those just starting out, from someone still navigating the early stages of writing:

Read, read, read, and write, write, write. Repeat this cycle.

Avoid cluttering your inbox with writing advice, LinkedIn courses, or other distractions.

Identify writers whose work resonates with you on Medium and other platforms—those who excel at storytelling and impart lessons, whether it's life wisdom or quirky trivia (did you know high heels were originally designed for men?).

Then, practice crafting your own stories in a similar style. Don’t stress about followers, views, or anything else. Just focus on reading and writing daily.

Here’s a handy list of essential writing tips: