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Asha Sanaker's avatar

I find that having my freelance writing work be absolutely nothing like my personal writing is essential to my ability to keep writing overall. I get paid to write about progressive corporate shareholder proposals (my annual spring gig). Today I wrote 1000 words on Subtractive Manufacturing, god help me. But it's words, it pays my bills at a better hourly rate than any prior job I've ever had, and it requires no emotional or psychic energy from me whatsoever. That emotional and psychic energy is mine. It's for me-- my newsletter, my book.

And writing regularly about stuff I have no prior knowledge of or, honestly, interest in reminds me that I am perfectly capable of making words happen *without* inspiration. That writing is a craft and my job is to keep my crafting skills up to par. Inspiration is largely out of my hands, so I can't bank on it. Not to pay my bills and not to exist as the only fuel for my creativity.

Tomorrow I get to do 1000 more words about Additive Manufacturing. Again, god help me. But it means I can write for myself the next day. I'll take that.

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Israel Sanchez's avatar

Honestly, this is a post that I can see myself coming back to because there's so much good advice and inspiration.

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