To copywrite or not to copywrite, that is the question.

Today, I find myself on the horns of a dilemma. But before I proceed, let me provide a little back story: As my loyal readers know, I quit my job a year ago to focus solely on writing. In that time I have completed the first draft and first revision on one novel and the first 50,000 words on a second one. I’ve also learned that getting a novel from inception to publication is not a quick process.

In July, I purchased a copywriting course from AWAI, believing that this might be the solution to my cash flow until I started publishing novels. Well into the third chapter of the course, I found myself floundering, struggling to even get myself motivated to do the work, in part because bald faced sales pitches have never been of interest to me, and, in fact, I skim through one or two that I receive just for the amusement value. Do people really get sucked in by this stuff? Of course they do, or it wouldn’t be a multi-billion dollar industry. But could I look myself in the mirror after doing that kind of writing? Hard to say.

So, what’s the dilema, you say? Seems pretty simple, right?

On the one hand, finishing the course and following the guidelines would likely bring me a source of revenue while the novel writing/editing/revising/promoting process continues. It might also give me a platform with which to do said promoting. On the other hand, I find myself resisting every attempt to continue the course and, in fact, have already decided to skip over one part which has me completely blocked. On the other hand, why am I really pursuing it? If it’s true that doing what you love with passion and devotion will attract whatever you need, then using my writing with the sole intent of making money is surely sending the wrong message and might well stifle my truly creative endeavors.

Yet, a girl has to eat, the mortgage must be paid, the cats must be fed and vet bills met. I do have the other option of trying to drum up more accounting business, but frankly, that makes me break out in a cold sweat, even more than finishing the copywriting course and marketing myself that way.

Writing has always been my passion, my resource and my refuge.

I’m not really looking for someone to give me an answer here. The fact is, whenever I’ve been faced with a serious decision, a major turning point, a struggle or a frustration, I’ve always turned to my very best friend in the world: the written word. I have innumerable brain dumps in which I poured out my thoughts, feelings, concerns and woes to either a piece of paper or a computer screen, knowing that I’d get a completely non-judgmental ear. Sure, I wouldn’t get any sage advice or sympathy either, but maybe that’s not what I was looking for. I truly believe that every answer we need is inside ourselves, either via our connection to the Universe as a whole, or through the experiences our spirit has had in the many human lifetimes it has already passed.

Sometimes, just the act of getting the words out into the world is enough to stir those mental juices into finding a solution or making a decision. My hope is that this time won’t be the exception to my lifelong rule. Often, just saying or writing the words opens a door to allow just the right piece of information in.

I ask you this: What do you do when you’re on the horns of a dilemma, unable to move forward until you’ve given yourself an answer?

In previous posts, I’ve mentioned making lists, though in this case, I don’t see a list developing, other than a list of questions. I’ve found, though, that some problems and questions lend themselves better to lists and others to just a free flow of thoughts. In this case, I’m going to go with the free flow. What about you? How might you approach something like this?

My gratitudes today are:
1. I am grateful for an avenue which helps me pull my thoughts together.
2. I am grateful for the creativity with which I have been blessed.
3. I am grateful for quiet, rainy days which lend themselves to deep thoughts and staying in my pajamas all day.
4. I am grateful for the cleansing rain which has bathed my home this week. I pray that those adversely affected can soon make a full recovery.
5. I am grateful for abundance: inspiration, cogitation, laughter, love, friendship, joy, health, harmony, peace and prosperity.

Namaste