How writing allows you to showcase your unique self

There’s a common misconception among people pursuing the writer’s life …It’s that one day, you’ll figure it all out. Get it right. Hit the Promised Land. Not to be a bucket of ice water on your dreams, but … there’s no such thing. If there’s one thing I’ve figured out after years of making my living as a writer, it’s this: There is no endpoint. No platinum level of achievement. No finish line. But what you get instead is SO MUCH BETTER. That is … as long as you let your freak flag fly. Here’s what I mean …Making your living as a writer blurs the lines between profession and identity. Unlike people who clock out, shed their uniforms, or pull off a badge at the end of the day, your “writer’s brain” As writers, we get to pursue projects that align with our dearest interests. So taking time out from writing to garden or build a model ship easily circles back around to writing about it. Similarly, every conversation overheard is a potential seed for an article. Or a headline. Or even the plot to a full-blown book! This means your journey to success as a writer is often taken alongside your journey to success as a freelancer or entrepreneur. I’ll concede that yes, the craft of writing — and copywriting in particular — can be learned. By anyone. But a successful career in paid writing requires a few other things. Like heart, soul, and dedication. Confidence is another biggie. Courage helps a lot. Which brings me back to the freak flag concept. Jimi Hendrix first sang about it in 1967. David Crosby mentioned it in his 1970 song, “Almost Cut My Hair.” Shrek: The Musicalran on Broadway in 2008 with an entire song devoted to it. “Flying your freak flag” is a modern take on authenticity. It’s about being okay with who you are. It means to stand tall with pride for what you offer the world. If you’re reading this, you’re probably a writer, or you dream of becoming one. And that, my friend, is your freak flag. It’s something that makes you a little different from the normal, workaday world. The things we want aren’t exactly in line with the status quo. For starters, we don’t believe in settling. We know we’ve got what it takes to bring about radical, out-of-the-ordinary change in our lives… And to pull it off, we have to let our freak flags fly. So my question to you for today is this: What does it mean for you to succeed as a writer? If you put yourself out there, what would your authentic professional writer’s life look like? Remember, you’re answering this question for you, not anyone else. Think of it as the first step toward satisfying authenticity.
This article is courtesy of Mindy Horse or AWAI team