What I Learned about Writing from a Suicidal Writer
Dec 27, 2023
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Jennifer Walker, a suicidal physicist turned professional art, travel, and culture writer, shares her personal journey of finding solace in writing. She discusses embracing the identity of a writer, the importance of background in writing, leveraging a language education background, and the significance of finding a niche in writing.
Believing in oneself is crucial in becoming a writer and pursuing writing opportunities.
Leveraging one's unique background adds value to writing and helps writers stand out.
Deep dives
Believing in Yourself as a Writer
Jennifer's story teaches us that in order to become a writer, we must first believe that we are writers. Imposter syndrome can often make us doubt our identity as writers, but a mindset shift is necessary. Once Jennifer accepted her identity as a writer and started believing in herself, everything changed. She began acting with more intention, looking for writing jobs, both paid and unpaid, and actively pursuing opportunities to write. Becoming a writer starts with believing that you are one.
Leveraging Your Background as an Asset
Jennifer's scientific background, which initially made her feel like an imposter as a writer, turned out to be an asset. A particular editor was looking for someone with an analytical thinking process, which aligned perfectly with Jennifer's scientific background. This revelation made her realize that our backgrounds should not limit us but can instead add value to our writing. By leveraging our unique backgrounds and finding ways to incorporate them into our writing, we can bring a fresh perspective and stand out as writers.
The Power of Niche Writing
Finding a niche is key to becoming a successful full-time writer. Jennifer's success as a writer is partially attributed to her focus on writing about Vienna and Budapest. By honing in on a specific topic or area of expertise, writers can position themselves as experts in their field and offer unique insights and knowledge. Rather than trying to be a generic writer, focusing on a niche allows writers to provide specialized content that cannot easily be replaced. Having a niche not only sets writers apart but also opens up opportunities for higher-paying gigs and establishes credibility and authority in their chosen area.
The interview with Jennifer (on the podcast) -- https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stolaroidstories/episodes/Writing-Was-the-Thing-That-Made-Me-Want-to-Live-Again-with-Pro-Writer-Jennifer-Walker-e2de91s