Here’s How 2020 Changed My Writing Forever
By: Nia Simone Mcleod
Tags: Life, Writing, Business, Self Improvement, Black Women

Here’s How 2020 Changed My Writing Forever

Photo by Polina Kovaleva from Pexels

I’m thankful for 2020. There, I said it. Before 2020, I was an underpaid and overworked freelance writer. I yearned for creative fulfillment. Now, I’m on the right path towards the writing career I’ve wanted my entire life — and I’m doing it on my terms. I couldn’t have done any of it without 2020.

Being Honest With Myself

2020 gave me my time back. After the pandemic hit in March 2020, I canceled all of my plans and quarantined with my family. As of December 2020, I haven’t seen my boyfriend or any of my friends in person since March.

Being away from the people I love has been rough. After constantly panicking during the early days of the pandemic, I decided to use this newly found alone time productively.

I reevaluated what I wanted out of life. I knew I wasn’t fulfilled by my freelance career, but I didn’t know how to rectify that.

Succeeding as a freelance writer is difficult. I didn’t have any insight into the writing business (what to charge, how to market, etc.). But, I learned very quickly that companies, even nationally known, can get real shady when it comes to their pricing and paying their workers. My frustration was reaching its limit.

I decided to make a change. After saving up a good chunk of money, I took a break from my freelance career and focused on my own creative projects.

As a child, I found comfort in creative writing. I spent the entirety of my childhood writing fanfiction. I had dreams of writing a book but had never been successful. During 2020, I threw caution to the wind and started writing.

I didn’t just write one book. I wrote 3.

Let’s Get Creative

I wrote novel-length first drafts during two of 2020’s NaNoWriMo events: July’s Camp NaNoWriMo and November’s NaNoWriMo. Earlier in the year, I finished a book I had started years before.

I don’t think I’ll work on those books any further. Bringing those books to publication wasn’t the point. The point was that I made it from the first word to “The End” — loving every second of it.

I witnessed the magic that happens when you put wheels behind your natural habits. Although I loved telling stories, I didn’t know I could write a book until I did it. Now, I know I’m capable of bringing my ideas to fruition. My trust in myself has strengthened — that’s an invaluable trait.

I didn’t just write books during 2020. I wrote short stories, blog posts, serial fiction chapters, poems, and a ton of articles on Medium.

Through it all, I’ve had so much fun. I rediscovered my love of writing. I learned more about myself than I ever had before.

That doesn’t mean that I’m done with freelance writing.

To 2021 And Beyond

When I come back to freelance writing in 2021, I’m coming back the right way.

I know my worth. In 2021, I’m only taking projects that reflect that — period. I’m not going to let fear get in the way of me reaching my goals. I’m ready for whatever may come my way. All I can say now is, get ready to see my name in a lot of places. *cough cough* print *cough cough*

I also plan to become more involved with the writing community in 2021. Writing has always been a solitary act for me. I’ve kept it hidden. Now, I’ve found a supportive writing community on Medium. I want to collaborate with others, share my work, and get feedback — as well as do the same for others.

Thanks to 2020, my writing will never be the same. I wouldn’t have it any other way.