Hitting a Brick Wall

[cgardener]

Well, I have only sold one article, and that was my first, none since then, which is very discouraging. Also, I've hit a writing block the last couple of weeks. Everything I've submitted lately has been stuff written long before. I don't seem to know what to write on. I'm not good on credit and economics, or computers. I use most of my gardening writings for my own blog.

It's just very discouraging that nothing is selling, when I see people who have only been here as long as me that have only written a few articles, and most of them have sold already.

Any tips to get out of the slump?

[DSWaltenburg]

Patience. If you don't know what to write about, just start writing for the public requests, EVEN though you say you don't know anything about some of the topics, part of the fun of writing about them is that you get to learn things, in doing the research. You know how to read, you know how to construct readable articles, so all that's left to do is to research and then put all those facets together.

None of my stuff that I write off the top of my head has sold. It's still sitting there, collecting dust bunnies. The things I've sold have all been for public requests, with the exception of my one whole usage sale :) And, to be quite frank, I've bullshibbited my way through several of those that HAVE sold!

Self Confidence. That's probably next on the list of important things to do/have. Sometimes, you just gotta go throw caution way up in the air, and go for it.

If you have the patience and leave the self doubt behind, it'll start to move. There's a quote about this...:

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."

And wouldn't you know, when I went to look that up, I just learned something else. I'd been told that it was from Goethe, however, the Goethe Society goethes not :D Go figure. Regardless of who gets the credit, that whole paragraph is true. I'm just a tiny example of proof. Carry on. :)

[jak]

You certainly do need patience. It took quite a while for anything of mine to sell, but once it started, it snowballed and I have now sold about 50% of my work on here, some for full rights and some just for use and therefore still for sale. The sales were so reassuring that I stepped up my submissions and I still find I get more sales when I submit more, not always the latest ones either.

With what has been going on in your life, it's not surprising that you are having writers' block. But I'm sure it will happen for you eventually. Just keep trying.

[Ed]

I think your articles tend to be lengthy, so you might try some shorter ones to throw into the mix.

[Celeste Stewart]

I started off writing about just about whatever I was into at the moment. For example, if you recently had to replace an air conditioner, write about what you learned during your research such as "Tips for Reducing your Summer Air Conditioning Bill" or "How a $20 Air Conditioner Filter can Extend the Life of your A/C Unit."

If you're involved in a fitness program, write about the benefits of the particular type such as "Kung Fu: Get Fit and Learn an Ancient Art" or "The Benefits of Water Aerobics." Basically, whatever you're doing, find a way to write about it. Like right now, I'm working from home with a two-year-old and toys strewn all over the house. And yes, he scribbled with an ink pen all over my laptop's screen. I may just have to write an article about "Containing Toddler Toys" or "How to Remove Black Ink from a Laptop Screen."

[cgardener]

Thanks, everyone. Yes, Ed, I know my articles are sort of lengthy, but I find it hard to compress some things into 500 words. I try, honestly I do, but the 700-800 words ones are seriously already compressed from 1000 words! I'll try to write shorter ones. The two gardening articles that I just submitted were originally one article broken into two, so you get my drift.

I'll try to do some requests, but I think I may have to wait on that. My mind isn't into researching and putting things into any semblance of order right now. I probably need a couple more days.

Taking a page from your book, Celeste, maybe I should write a few articles on losing a parent.

[DSWaltenburg]

Thank heavens my kids were old enough to know better than to write on the monitor by the time we even got a computer!! :D My youngest, instead, just drew a stick figure family on the passenger door of my car, with a stone from the driveway!YIIIIIIIIIKEs.

You're not alone in the 'wordiness' department, C. I almost always blow away the requested word limits, and then have to back and whittle everything away. :D In fact, one of these days, I may redo my article about Hospitilization for Mental Illness, since, clearly, I decided that bullet points would not be useful!! :) Bullet points help to make writing a bit shorter, but unfortunately you can't use them in everything.

Writing about grief is always a good choice.....we all have no choice but to face it, and many people don't have alot of resources to fall back on when they lose loved ones. You might even come up with more ideas, during these next few days, during the viewing/wake, and funeral, and at the cemetery. Articles about the history of headstones, or Why Don't Funeral Directors Laugh in Public? These random thoughts will float through your head at the oddest moments.....use them later!! :)