Hello Writers!

It’s been a tough year for the arts with many opportunities for artists drying up due to a lack of funding or attacks on institutions. I spent the weekend wallowing after something I was feeling very optimistic about abruptly came to an end. I half-heartedly started a re-watch of Heated Rivalry and I didn’t leave my apartment much, scavenging around in my cupboards and pantry for junk food like a raccoon in the night.

Saturday night, in what I am certain was an attempt by The Universe to cheer me up, the Insight Timer app shared a little May Oliver with me before bedtime, “Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.”

I’m trying, Mary.

Fortunately, the Instagram algo decided to bless me with tons of Zohran Mamdani content this weekend, reinforcing Mary’s message that the unimaginable comes in many flavors — including good.

Sunday, I had a talk to give at a Zoom writing conference so I was forced to wash my hair and throw on some blush. I shored up my energy and then watched that energy spark little lights in people’s eyes during my motivational pep talk. And somehow serving as a spark for others helped me reignite my own flame.

I’m not blazing my brightest today, but I am keeping the coals warm for what’s to come. And I hope you are too.

— Minda

As mentioned, I gave a lil’ talk at a Zoom conference on Sunday. I’ve given quite a few of these at this point in my writing career. I’ve also attended quite a few. And at many of them, there’s a core group of questions that come up over and over again. Questions I believe belong to a series called “Questions we ask instead of just doing the writing.”

The reason I categorize these questions this way is because they aren’t necessarily related to the craft of writing or even the nuts-and-bolts practical questions around how to manage a writing life.

These are questions that regardless of the answer, even if the answer is as awful as it could possibly be, what happens on the other side of that knowledge is still the same. Because you’re still going to do the writing. You’re going to do it because it’s what you’re compelled to do.

But I understand that we ask these questions because when you’re on the outside looking in, the path to becoming a writer can be hella opaque. There’s also so so so so so much terrible advice out there. And sometimes we just need our anxieties soothed so we can set them aside do what needs to be done — the writing.

So for example, a question that comes up frequently is do I need a writing platform to get an agent/sell a book?

The reality is if you were told you need 1M followers on social media before you’ll be taken seriously by an agent or a publisher, I’m sure you’d be crushed. But would that stop you? Would you decide to go be a surgeon instead? Nah. You’re gonna keep writing.

And the real answer is… Maybe? There are many writers who are MIA online. There are writers who do very well in their very specific niche but are otherwise unheard of. There are also influencers and celebrities with hundreds of thousands of followers that can’t move books.

If you as a writer have an aptitude for making social media content, then go for it! But if trying to become a part-time content creator to launch a full-time writing life is not realistic for you, then don’t waste your time. Instead, put that time into the writing.

I have a modest platform that was gained through publishing my work online. With each byline came an influx of new followers. Followers that I know are hanging around for my writing. If I’d lured those same followers in with my terrible dancing (Srsly awful.) there’s no guarantee that my followers would be a book-buying audience.

So for me, focusing on my writing and publishing it was more beneficial than trying to keep up with the latest TikTok trends. Publishing my writing is how I got invitations to be in anthologies by other writers who admired my work and being in an anthology is how my agent found me.

For me, I do think it’s worthwhile to maintain a presence online. But I know plenty of writers who have very successful careers and no social media — the first that comes to mind is Ross Gay. And when I’m really deep in the writing, I often go on a social media hiatus because social media, while a great tool for visibility, can hamper your creativity.

So figure out what’s comfortable for you, but prioritize doing the writing above all else.

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