January 6 (I know, right), 2023
Various emotions were competing for 1st place . . .
Tears welled.
It was not easy walking away from work that had occupied my life in some capacity or another for over three decades.
Not that I wasn’t ready. I definitely was.
But, the comradery of the US Intelligence Community (IC) and, on more local levels, the SCIF environment was unique and unduplicatable.
Friendships bonded across the globe between people who would never meet in person - all focused around a common mission: National Security.
There was just nothing like it. I will cherish and miss that time for the rest of my life.
Transition
Conversely, the anticipation of beginning a new chapter was exhilerating.
I always wanted to be a “writer” when I grew up. At age 70, that time had finally come.
It’s not that I never wrote. I had dabbled at it for years. However, the window of time between work and lights out was not the most productive for me. My best work time is in the mornings.
So, I waited and planned.
My first post, Retirement Is Not A Deadend was launched January 12.
Starting from scratch with an unpaid subscription, I persuaded several friends and family members to subscribe.
Not sure of the process and timeline for growth, I set a goal of 20 subscribers per month. In two months, I currently have 46 subscribers from 12 US states and four foreign countries.
I started out writing 3 articles per week, but have now raised that to 5. This article is # 37.
Things I’ve learned and observed so far (in no certain order) -
For the unknown writer, the process is for the long haul. Slow, steady growth is a perfect learning environment.
Adjust as things unfold.
You will get frustrated. Write through it.
Find and read a wide variety of newsletters from those on every level of the spectrum.
The heavy hitters offer invaluable insight as to process, format, and encouragement.
Never compare yourself to other writers. Instead, learn from them. We are all unique.
Write about what YOU are interested in, not what you think others are interested in. As you progress, you will find your audience of Kindred Spirits.
Pay attention to a couple of things:
What seems to be the subject(s) that your articles default to?
What posts get read or liked more than others.
Where these intersect/overlap (think of a Venn Diagram) will be the place to focus your energy.
Be patient. It may take a while to figure this out.
Don’t be afraid to interact with other writers - you never know which one(s) will be the catalyst for exponential growth.
Crossposting, commenting, liking, taking part in community chats are all part of the process of becoming known.
Remember, most writers started out the same place we did - ground zero.
Learn from those who have figured it out.
Tim Denning for one, writes a huge amount about the writing growth process - He started out with nothing and he now has a massive following. Now he writes at least 4 articles daily across several platforms. Worth Subscribing (free).
Definitely develop a list of topics to write from ahead of time. Otherwise you will waste massive amounts of time trying to figure out what to write about.
Be consistent. Over time, you will become more proficient, more efficient, and more comfortable as you figure things out.
Never be shy about telling others that you are a writer. If that doesn’t feel natural, it will with repetition.
Study copywriting. It will do wonders for your headlines.
Setting goals is fine, but developing processes to achieve your goals is much more important. The goal is your destination. The process is the route you will take to get there.
I want to hear from other writers, both new and veteran.
What has your process and experience been?
Are you where you thought you would be at this juncture?
This is a community. We can all learn from each other. Please chime in with tips, insights, and encouragement.
Forward ho, fellow writers . . .