Capitalize on Your Weirdness
Steve Roller again, with your final edition of The Writer's Life this week.
About the subject line of today's issue … don't take offense at "Capitalize on Your Weirdness." From one writer to another, I consider us all one big, happy, slightly off-kilter family. I mean it in a loving way, really.
We haven't met, but the fact that you're pursuing the writer's life tells me that you're a bit outside the norm.
You want more from life than just a steady job and paycheck. You want the opportunity for creative expression. You want to be able to work from anywhere, on a schedule that only you determine. You want to be highly compensated for your talents.
A lot of people want those things, but you're actually doing something about it.
That's different.
And if you're anything like me, not only do you march to the beat of a different drummer, but you also don't mind that other people think you're a little off (in fact, you might even enjoy it!).
I mean, people thought I was weird because I didn't go to a single drinking party in high school. Until they realized that I had spent my time studying and working to get scholarships to college.
They thought it was weird that I worked 80 hours a week during summer breaks from school. Until they found out that I had traveled to 19 countries before I graduated.
My friends and neighbors think I'm weird now for driving a rusted-out 1997 minivan. Until they realize the money I'm saving has taken my kids to five continents so far. (Of course, they still think leaving Wisconsin in the summer to spend a month in Ecuador is a little strange.)
How about you? What's your story? My guess is that if we had a deep conversation over a late-night bottle of wine, all kinds of good stuff would come out!
And you know what? That rocks! Because boring people make boring writers.
If your life has been less than perfect up to this point … if your career path has been an up-and-down ride like mine … if you've suffered setbacks and loss, but also incredible joy and happiness … if you believe that the best of life is yet to come … I predict that you will be a great writer.
We've been talking all week about reinventing yourself and living a life of no regrets.
Let me leave you with this.
If you truly want to make the writer's life work for you …
- Accept that you are going to be a little different. Even though you're surrounded by hundreds of like-minded souls here at AWAI, becoming a freelance writer is a bit outside the norm.
- Take inventory of what makes you unique (or, as I like to say, "weird").
- Claim it. Own it. Revel in your weirdness! Incorporate it into your story on your website and social media profiles.
- Use it to your advantage when determining a niche. If your hobby is running 50k races, focus on the ultra-fitness niche. If you're a self-help junkie with bookshelves full of Deepak Chopra and Wane Dyer programs, that might be a logical area for you. If you have dreams of leading Amazon jungle tours, give travel writing a shot.
And one last thing. Whatever direction of the writer's life you decide to pursue …
Immerse yourself in your identity! Whether it's an identity you've been cultivating all along or one that you're going to reinvent yourself into, throw yourself into it headlong!
Ten years down the road, you'll be able to look back and say, "No regrets."
Leave me a quick note by posting a comment below and let me know if you've ever had someone perceive you as weird (I'm hoping I'm not the only one). And tell me if you plan to parlay that into your writing.
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Thank you. This will help me pick a niche.
Yulanda – August 19, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Great, Yulanda! I don't subscribe to the "do what you love and the money will follow" philosophy, but in a heart vs head wrestling match, the heart usually wins.
Steve Roller – August 19, 2011 at 2:59 pm
The more I learn about creating the writer's life, the more I realize just how much I know about life and can share with others. Not that I'm a know it all, I'm just realizing that the things I do know, I can share and relate to others with.
Weird... unique... original... whatever you want to call it, that's me. And there's only ONE me!
Now that I realize I have a lot of "ammo" to run with, I don't have to try and become some sort of guru that I'm not. I have a lot better original info. that I can help people with.
Guest (Dana ) – August 19, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Hi Steve - thanks once again for this inspiring piece. So much has landed in a timely fashion to point the way through the scatter. I have often questioned the validity of my diverse experience. Your article plants a seed that there is a writer's life in my future....thank you and I look forward to more writing from you!
Guest (kellie) – August 19, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Steve, I reckon 20+ years (in USA) being asked "where are you from" qualifies as my weirdness. The English accent I was born with is still there. So please help me Capitalize on this!!! Thank you
michael vincent – August 19, 2011 at 3:43 pm
yah, bro !!! this is my favorite article yet! ... next to Michael Masterson's biz tips.
my brother's poster of Wynton Marsalis says, "It's never to late to enter the world of musicianship."
remember, dreamers who do make the world be true!
~ jon paul
P.S. get yours! because you die living lovely OR die living dead !!! ;-)
P.S.S. just be you and make your dreams come true!
Guest ( jon paul) – August 19, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Reading your piece while sitting at my day job waiting for the last hour to creep by, was enough to get me to lift my head from resting on my hand. Your style is uplifting, your message inspiring - I am weird. Everyone tells me so. Some like it, some don't - I enjoy all the feedback. Finding that right niche may be easy for some, but I think for me it's been hard because generally I think I'm pretty boring or at least run of the mill, although very silly, you've renewed my faith in my path. I'm going home to write tonight while the rest of my friends go to the bar and wallow about how crumby life is at work. Thanks so so much!!!!
Guest (LJ Innes) – August 19, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Steve...a few things. One, you need to know that your writing resonates deeply and struck a chord with me. I almost got that weird feeling of tears right behind my eyes. Two...my husband and I call our desire to create "our life" being "ON THE DARK SIDE". No 9-5 (really, 7:30-6), no hemming in and no excuses. Three, it's "wayne" dyer :)
Thanks for a great article!
Marisa – August 19, 2011 at 4:30 pm
What a great column! I've always been rather different and sometimes wished it were not so. You make it sound just fine and I thank you for that Steve. The writer's life is going to work for me for darn sure!
BarbA – August 19, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Ever since BFF Bob pointed out that the Mother Ship left me here for a reason, I've been trying to capitalize on the weirdness. Glad to know others feel the same! (Could use help with how to make it work ...)
Thank you for some good approaches and encouragement.
And while most of my paid writing has to be kinda stodgy and respectable, I hope to branch out into the kooky category every so often.
Many thanks! Now...off to register for that B2B Challenge.
Billie – August 19, 2011 at 5:12 pm
Think I can find a niche being a speculative fiction writer? :) Scifi, Fantasy, Twilight Zone...trying to figure out how to make that a niche!
(I already know how AWAI can help my writing in the field, I need to reverse engineer that!)
Anyways, thank you for all these articles, they've very motivational and uplifting.
Mickey – August 19, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Let's see knife fighting, Rumi reading, subtle energy explorer/worker, divorced, maybe going to live on a sailboat soon, homeschooling guy who, after 35 years on the path, people ask for insights about spiritual matters and relationships. Now, what to write about?
EricC – August 19, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Nice article, Steve. As a former innkeeper, I am seriously thinking about pursuing this niche, for copywriting and website services.
And yes, I've never been one to run with the crowd; too smart, I take it.
Like the rest of the copywriters I know!
Alice – August 19, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Great point, Steve, Who the writer IS is a significant part of what makes the writer's Unique Selling Proposition (USP).
On a personal note: You may be just a little more than weird to leave WI in the summer for anything--I grew up on a lake near Whitewater and now live in Houston, TX--I'm working my weirdness to buy a piece of WI-God's-Country for a summer heat-retreat and a piece of Ecuador for a winter migratory-home! Of course the writer's life unlike my former Teacher's makes it possible.
Susan Jaeger – August 19, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Steve, thank you! I've enjoyed the personal touch of your articles for Writers Life this week.
Most of the time I quite like being perceived as a bit different, maybe even "weird"(!) - but it can get rough sometimes, & like you, I've been going through a roller coaster in recent times. So it's good to hear this encouragement from a fellow traveller.
Enjoy your time in Quito - I was there last year, & yes, it is a truly awesome and inspirational place!
I hope we can connect at Bootcamp...
Mara – August 19, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Excellent article! I work in a B2B field that has a lot of ex-military folk (aviation) so they're pretty traditional and buttoned-up. The fact that I'm different from (being younger, female, and not quite so conservative) is something I've been trying to keep under-wraps. But you made an excellent point - if they wanted someone "like them," they would do the work themselves- they want somebody with different skills & should assume different personality!
Guest (Paula Williams) – August 19, 2011 at 8:16 pm
I worked in broadcast sales for over 30 years, most of that time in local television. FYI, local TV salespeople make up about .0002 percent of any given population, and even in that rarified atmosphere I was considered "weird" or "different". So the writer's life will be a great fit for me!
Guest (Denni) – August 19, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Love you Steve! I'm one of the ones who enjoys being on the weird side - so much more fun I think. I'm an outed, and proud (always have been), geek among other things and that is helping launch my High-Tech B2B Copywriting biz.
Thanks for writing the article and putting perspective on value to our writing as well as celebrating uniqueness.
Crystle Pishon – August 19, 2011 at 9:18 pm
Thanks Steve, I really enjoyed your writings this week. Being in the process of REINVENTING myself, I found your writing to be very motivating and sincere. It helps me to realize that I am on the right track and in the right race.
Thanks again, I needed this.
Marcellus Greene – August 20, 2011 at 12:42 am
Thanks for the article! I hate to be bored and I never want to be perceived as boring. I love to tell people about my crazy dreams and write stories about them. They are very strange and science-fiction-like. My favorite thing is to make my facebook status about them, but without telling anyone that it was a dream. I admit it... I'm WEIRD (but hopefully interesting.)
Guest (alwaysbusymama) – August 20, 2011 at 1:03 am
I am an aspiring children's writer. I decided to pursue this to, as you say, capitalize on my weirdness. I have always enjoyed playing with dolls and stuffed animals, creating characters and stories around each one, so I decided to parlay that talent into creating stories for children.
Guest (Serena) – August 20, 2011 at 1:03 am
iam even today perceived wird by those whom i think they have no goals just leaving to judge others, is hard but because of vision i have i,m able to not fell in that trap and also thanks for the article i m equiped more with it keep the great work comming thanks Richard
Guest (Richard Makhubela) – August 20, 2011 at 5:33 am
Steve, There an old English saying that says the opposite: "All the world is strange, save the and me. And even thee's a little queer". (Don't mean you Steve)
Political corectness activists have removed the word 'queer' from our language because they were confused by it. But you get the drift. There ain't no normal people. Just individuals...
Andrew
Andrew – August 20, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Weird? You could say I've been called weird a time or two. With ten brothers and sisters, I'm the one who says the unspeakable, thinks the unthinkable, does the impossible. I jump ship, change careers, and pretty much go against the "family" grain often. My siblings (and many acquaintances) aren't sure whether to respect my bold moves or tell people "he was adopted". All in good fun...I think! No regrets, I am what I am, and happy what AWAI (and disciples like you) is helping me to become.
Jerry Bures – August 20, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Just wanted to say that I have enjoyed reading your posts this week. They were very appropo at this point in my life where I am making changes. Thanks!
Paula M – August 21, 2011 at 8:25 am
wierd...and wonderful.
yes, I agree - -be true to yourselfand avoid ciopying the masses just to fit in. be unique and stcik to your own principles if they help you achieve your goals.
great posting - thanks
Guest (paully) – August 21, 2011 at 9:41 am
@Dana - you're right, your unique perspective on life and your experiences will be useful to others. A great tool that I just discovered and started using is called 3wordjournal.com. You might find it spurring your creativity even further, too.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 2:41 am
You're welcome, Kellie. Hope this planting is like a mustard seed! Best wishes for big growth in your business. (And look for another Writer's Life series in about a month.)
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 2:46 am
@Michael - If you have a British sense of humor to go along with your accent, that will help! I would think you could capitalize on your British perspective - of being a stranger here even though you speak the language. There's a difference in the way Americans and Brits do marketing. I've noticed some companies explicitly ask for writers familiar with British English. The best of British to you.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 2:52 am
Thanks, Jon Paul. Love the Wynton Marsalis quote.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 2:53 am
@LJ - Rock on! Your comment fired me up. Revel in your weirdness, and let your friends wallow in their drinks. Let me know if I can help in any way.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 2:55 am
Marisa, thanks much! I'm glad it resonated with you. I love the expression being "on the dark side"! Thanks for catching the typo, too - Wayne is my middle name, I ought to know how to spell it, hey?
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:00 am
@BarbB - Welcome to the club! Here's a virtual toast to your soon-to-be writer's life.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:02 am
@Billie - you're welcome. If I can help with how to make it work, let me know. I'd love to talk. I know stodgy and respectable pays the bills, but it is kind of fun to get a little out there on some projects! Hope you get a shot at those, too. Make it happen.
@Mickey - glad these articles have helped you a bit. I don't know much about sci fi or fantasy, but I'm sure there's an angle or niche there somehow. Especially if you can tie in a persuasive or conversational style. Keep me posted.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:08 am
@EricC - You do have an interesting background. I've heard that the three big areas for informational products are health/fitness, money/finances, and relationships. From what you said, I'd try to capitalize on that last one, especially if people tend to ask you for advice or insights on it.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:10 am
@TeaLady24 - That would be a unique niche, I bet. Your experience would put you above any other writers out there. Maybe in addition to copywriting and website services, focus on giving strategic marketing advice, too. My guess is a lot of innkeepers aren't strong in that area.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:12 am
Susan, I'm only about 45 minutes from Whitewater, and you're right - it is God's country. I lucked out this summer, though, and avoided a very unusual month-long heat wave. Get the place in Ecuador, and you'll have a writer's life climate triumvirate!
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:14 am
Mara, a kindred spirit traveler! I love it! Let's connect at Bootcamp and compare roller coaster stories over a canelazo. I'll buy the first.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:17 am
@Paula - you do have to be careful to write in the client's voice (if that's what they're asking for), but even in a traditional niche, I would think you could throw in a little personality here and there! What counts is the results you're getting for them, right?
@Denni - yes, you're a unique breed as a local TV salesperson. I can't think of any better training for copywriting than direct sales of any kind. It's my background, too.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:21 am
Crystle, thanks a ton. I've read a little about you, and I know you're off to a great start in your niche (and a little weird - I like that!) Hope we cross paths in person sometime.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:23 am
@M G - Glad you're on the right track, and in the right race! Hope the reinvention process cranks for you.
@alwaysbusymama - You're welcome. No, you don't sound boring at all. I'd like to see some of those FB status posts!
@Serena - Perfect! Just curious, have you seen AWAI's "How to Successfully Write and Publish Children's Books"? I can give you a one-paragraph review if you want. Best wishes to you.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:30 am
@Richard - thanks for the kind words. Look for more soon.
@Andrew, that sounds like it could have been Shakespeare. I like the quote.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:32 am
Jerry, so you're the black sheep of the family, huh? I am, too, but only among five siblings. Oh, and we're all in Wisconsin - I know your neck of the woods well (my brother and sister-in-law live in Antigo). Hope we can connect at Bootcamp or another event.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:36 am
@Paula - Glad these pieces were timely for you. Hope the changes go well for you.
@Paully - you're welcome. Yes...weird and wonderful!
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 3:37 am
@Steve - Yes, I have seen the article on writing children's books. I'm actually currently enrolled in the course at the Institute of Children's Writing.
Thanks again for all your great articles!
Guest (Serena) – August 22, 2011 at 3:17 pm
@Steve - Thank you for the inspiration. Yes I do have the British sense of humor and Yes I do feel like a stranger - but in a way that I would not change. As a salesman the British accent gets attention quickly.... I just want to capitalize on this and create my own business. cheers!
michael vincent – August 22, 2011 at 6:42 pm
@Serena - very cool! All the best to you.
@Michael - my wife has a British/Nigerian accent still after 22 years here, and I'm glad it hasn't changed! The sales background should help you in copywriting, too. Press on.
Steve Roller – August 22, 2011 at 11:12 pm
Thank you for this outstanding insight. YES we're in the perfect profession to be who we truly are--and make our living from it. It's super-motivation and deep-level truth, all at once. What a gift! Steve I'd love to chat at bootcamp and follow this idea a bit further, over coffee? wine? See you then.
David W – August 23, 2011 at 7:20 am
David, let's definitely connect at Bootcamp. If we don't schedule something before, look for me at the Wednesday night dinner. Best wishes until then.
Steve Roller – August 23, 2011 at 11:39 am
Hmmm, this article actually inspired me to write a reply... Yay!
No seriously, this gave me a glimpse at what lies behind the reinforced, bullet proof door my drive to write was hiding behind: I'm weird! I somehow managed to convince myself that anyone reading my work would want me to be 'normal'...Eeew! I'll now be less afraid to 'let it slip' that I am weird. (I also just realized that it was because of an accidental slip of such weirdness that I am zipping off to Paris tomorrow)Thank you :)
Ellen Venter – August 23, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Ellen - beautiful! Have a great trip to the City of Lights (and if you want to do something decidedly untouristy and a little weird, check out the tour of the sewer system. Seriously.)
Steve Roller – August 23, 2011 at 2:42 pm
What a refreshing, inspirational article! I've always admired Thoreau's idea of marching to a different drummer, and this article updates that sentiment beautifully.
Richard Lacey – September 11, 2011 at 10:31 am
What a refreshing, inspirational article! I've always admired Thoreau's idea of marching to a different drummer, and this article updates that sentiment beautifully.
Richard Lacey – September 11, 2011 at 10:31 am
Thanks, Richard! As Thoreau would say, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams..." Best wishes to you.
Steve Roller – September 11, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Thank you for this clarity of vision--of COURSE I was thought to be weird. Especially by myself! I am an intuitive empath, I recently discovered, which explains SO much tht happened to me in my childhood, youth and adulthood--pain, emotional upheaval, etc. I thought I was an alien in my family( not really, but I was sure not like them) and no, I wasn't adopted... so thank you for this insight, and yes, I DO embrace my weirdness; my lifetime partner and husband is weird too, a talented artist himself, so we revel in it!!
Guest (lynneartist) – September 28, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@lynneartist - amazing how so much of who we are stems from childhood, hey? By the way, I'm married to an artist, too, so I can relate. A painter and a writer who are always home during the day - yes, the neighbors think we're weird! Keep embracing your life like you are...
Steve Roller – September 28, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Wow, @lynneartist...and Steve...my husband and I have spent more time together in our 13 years of marriage, through unemployment and then both self-employment (me, a writer and dance teacher, him a writer and a designer) than either of our sets of parents did in their first 30 years of their respective marriages, and certainly more than any one else we know...I think we need another "page" to share what THAT's like! That may be the subject of me new website! AHA...
Marisa – September 29, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Marisa, we have a lot in common! I've been married 13 years, too, and I never thought of the fact that my wife and I do spend a lot more time together than most couples because of our work. You've just given me an idea for another article! Thanks. Stay tuned...
Steve Roller – September 30, 2011 at 11:04 am
Clearing out and filing my Inbox shortly BEFORE Boot Camp. What an inspiration, reading this on Sat. a.m. from my BED! Looking to meet YOU and to shake/bump your hand! Define my niche (still haven't found it!) AND absorb all the wonderful, helpful info from AWAI and people like yourself. Weird? Who, me? Well, thank you very much for noticing (no longer the albatross it once was!). Wearing my mantle proudly; spend 10 minutes and we could trade lots of stories...thank you again!
Guest (Gypsy Rover) – October 22, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@Gypsy Rover - I'll look forward to meeting you, track me down, please! We ought to have a WoW breakfast meeting with others: Weird Offbeat Writers. Stories will be flowing shortly...
Steve Roller – October 23, 2011 at 11:27 pm