How to stay relevant as a writer
Do you have it?
The Feb/April 6-week personal essay course is finished!
It’s amazing watching writers flourish and finish the course with two gorgeous essays they’re proud of.
One of our Because You Write family heard about the course from his writing group and has asked me to run another in May.
If there are two others keen to start mid-May, let’s do it! Check out the details.
(This is not for brand new writers or writers learning English. If you have been writing for a while and want to try personal essays, memoir, or take your essays to the next level, this is for you.)
I’m taking a (semi-)break from writing this year to pursue my interest in psychology with postgraduate studies.
It’s been fun but hard!
Am I worried there won’t be enough work for writers in the future?
Not really. In March this year alone I earned $5K working part-time. Even with AI there’s still good work for writers. (Although a back-up plan is always sensible.)
But I was reminded of the reason with my last assignment.
Staying relevant
I’ve just completed an assignment on personality testing and one personality trait stood out to me as important for us writers.
Curiosity.
The world moves fast and, with AI, it feels like it’s moving faster all the time.
You keep relevant as a writer by staying curious.
Curiosity will lead you, and your readers, to interesting places.
When you’re curious about a wide range of topics, people, and opportunities—you can do something AI can’t—make thoughtful connections to human experiences.
Learning about psychology?
Prisons in ancient Mesopotamia?
Cacti hunters?
Sinkholes?
The latest current events?
Writers who learn and make connections to our lives today are offering us something special.
They offer a fresh perspective.
That’s why you’ll always find me learning, listening to podcasts, reading, and staying curious.
Keep learning and you’ll always have something of value for your readers.
That’s all for today!
Kelly
Here’s the link again, if you’d like to grab one of the two spots on the Meaningful and Timely Personal Essays Course