Use this writing trick to gain momentum

You’ll love this powerful way to get your writing career off the ground [The Writer’ s Life]( October 1, 2021 Hi {NAME}, "A body in motion stays in motion." AWAI Success Mindy McHorse recently had a crazy firsthand experience with Newton's First Law of Motion. She tells the story in today's issue … and explains how the same maxim can apply to the writer's life. She also shares six steps you can follow to get started so you can build momentum naturally in your writing career. Mindy's momentum kicked into high gear when she went to her first [Bootcamp](. Today she's Executive Editor for Barefoot Writer magazine, and a successful six-figure writer … But more than 10 years ago, she was just a writer attending Bootcamp, with a very specific goal. Even though the most she'd earned as a writer to that point was $24,000 a year, she was determined to break the six-figure income goal the following year. Ever since achieving that goal, she's continued to clear it every year since … while working part-time hours AND raising her four kids. (!!) That's probably why this year will be her lucky 13th Bootcamp. Mindy is one of the AWAI team members joining with over two dozen experts to make our upcoming FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp so special. (Not familiar with Bootcamp? [Go here to check out the details — today is your LAST CHANCE to register.)]( Another familiar face back at Bootcamp this year is popular speaker, and Chief Copywriter for International Living and that publication's Executive Editor, Jen Stevens … Jen jump-started her copywriting career when her husband was laid off from his job. [Check out her story here]( to see how she built a thriving writing career as a result of that unexpected event. She'll also introduce you to the program she used to start her career, our flagship Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting … And give you an opportunity to [test-drive it today for just $29.]( Copywriting is the single best way to live a life of financial freedom, where you call the shots on every aspect of your life. Once you master persuasive writing, you can apply it to any writing specialty — and for any niche that interests you. [This program]( is where it all begins. BUT, this no-risk offer is for one day only … If you're interested in making great money as a writer, then you owe it to yourself to check it out. [Go here now to get all the details.]( To your success, [Rebecca Matter’ s signature] Rebecca Matter President, AWAI From Stop-Stutter-Start to Mad Momentum in Your Writing Career By Mindy McHorse [Laughing woman on spinner in playground] Picture this scene … A sunny park in Maryland … Blue jays flitting through the yellowwood trees. The laughter of children from a playground. And one crazy lady spinning in a circle at breakneck speed, hollering for dear life. It's a true story. And I'm embarrassed to say that crazy lady was me. The spinning came from a piece of playground equipment I climbed onto in an effort to show my four-year-old how to use it. It was a cross between a one-person merry-go-round and a human-sized spinning top with a ledge for standing. The official playground terminology labels it a "whizzy-dizzy." Sounds fun, right? The idea is that you step on, stick your bum out a bit, lean to the side, and the thing spins around. Supposedly, you can control your speed. Except with me, not only did it spin, it spun so fast I looked like a figure skater on dry ground. Without knowing how it happened, I went into a rapid rotation, accelerating till I was just a blur. I screamed in protest, my family howled with laughter, and the darn thing didn't stop till I gave up and let it fling me unceremoniously off to one side. It was a little funny, a little painful, and a pretty stellar example of how sometimes, power builds if you can just hold on long enough. Because the real force at play that day was momentum. Flip that over to our writing world for a minute … It's full of polarities, wouldn't you agree? We've got feast vs. famine … generalized vs. specialized … writer's block vs. flying fingers. And the overall consensus is that you should seek balance to even out the poles … But consider this alternative viewpoint: Master momentum and balance may just happily appear. Here's why: First, think of momentum as a way to increase your forward motion by leveraging your existing motion. If you can do this in your writing projects, it makes everything easy. After all, it's a lot harder to stop something completely and then start it back up again. (That's true for a rolling ball … for your writing muscles … and for most relationships.) The only hurdle is getting started in the first place, so you can get to that place where momentum builds naturally. Here's how you get there: Step #1: Cut the negative self-talk. It only pulls you backwards. That means you shouldn't beat yourself up for things you can't change. Put the past in the past. And stow any self-doubt far away with it. Think of that whole pandemic year we all endured. A lot of things went south or fell by the wayside. I bashed myself plenty for letting things slip … but you know what? The world was on pause and the fallout upended plans across the globe. You can't beat yourself up for things you can't control. Move forward. Step #2: Get some small wins under your belt. Remember, your ultimate goal is to build momentum, but that can't happen till you get going in the first place. Landing a tiny victory is the most effective way to do that. It doesn't take a lot of time or effort, but a win is a win. In writing, that might mean you journal every day for a week. It might mean you finish a writing training program. It could be that you post a few times in one of the AWAI Facebook groups. It could even just be you, looking in the mirror and repeating an affirmation every day for a month. I will succeed as a paid writer. I will succeed as a paid writer. The confidence you'll get from these initial accomplishments helps you move forward to bigger tasks. Step #3: Dabble in rewards. Rewards are nice at face value, but more importantly, they're good for your brain. Think of it as cellular-level validation for something you did right. That validation builds confidence and makes your brain want to do it again. So when you accomplish something, own it. Acknowledge it. Say it out loud! Making a writing list of small wins at the end of every day is a great way to reinforce productivity (I recommend this over the celebratory tub of ice cream). You can also share your accomplishments with friends or family. It's good practice for you to own your wins out loud and proud, and good for your people to understand that your efforts are paying off. (And post your wins big and small in the [AWAI Facebook groups](, where we're ready to cheer you on.) Step #4: Roll it into a habit. Once you've tipped the momentum wheel forward, model it into a habit. So, say you got through those 30 days of affirmations … now just treat it as something you do every morning, like brushing your teeth. The best way to turn something into a habit is to do it daily on a consistent schedule. I recommend getting your habits going in the early hours before the day gets away from you. Step #5: Throw some pride in there. Piggybacking on Step #1, this one goes a little further. Beyond not tearing yourself down, it's also important to lift yourself up. Be proud of what you're doing. Give yourself compliments. Taking pride in your work subconsciously reinforces the effort you're making to do the work and lets your subconscious brain know that it's a safe path to continue traveling. Step #6: Give yourself a break. As in literally, take breaks. Take evenings off. Or whole weekends. Or an entire week away, unplugged. Momentum is powerful, but you keep any machine running too long and it'll eventually burn out. Recharging is a necessity of being human. That might mean taking a 30-minute walk in the middle of your day, away from screens and emails. Or it might mean not turning on your computer over the weekend. And if you're wondering how to reconcile that with the regular daily habits you're supposed to follow, it's okay to pick and choose. So if one of your daily habits is to say five affirmations out loud, you can still do that, even on the weekend and vacations. If another habit is to reach out to two prospective clients each day, you can pause that on your days off. Think of momentum like your "easy button." Once you get it wired right, it makes every aspect of your writing career more effortless and enjoyable. You just have to hold on long enough to get to the point where you keep spinning effortlessly, and the ride becomes enjoyable. Do you have any questions about gaining momentum in your writing career? [Share with us in the comments]( so we can help. Editorial Note: Bootcamp is the ultimate momentum starter. It's made a huge difference in the careers of countless aspiring writers over the past 24 years, and it can do the same for you. The event is bigger, better, and more career-transforming than ever before. Over two dozen business-building experts, marketers, and Master Copywriters are presenting at Bootcamp this year — and [you should be a part of it](! Bootcamp is so big this year, we had to make it TWO events. First, you'll learn the skills through our FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp. Then, the following week, you also get to attend our brand-new FastTrack to Copywriting CLIENTS. This is where we're bringing the clients — top publishers and marketers looking to hire right now — TO YOU! For the first time ever — it's two Bootcamps in one! [Check out]( how this groundbreaking event is taking place, and how you can participate from your own home. But hurry, this is your LAST CHANCE because all enrollment closes TONIGHT at midnight. --------------------------------------------------------------- Countdown to Bootcamp — 11 Days to Go! Bootcamp, Expecting the Unexpected By Tammy Powell Each Bootcamp, there are a few things you can count on — great speakers and teachers, the latest copywriting trends and techniques, and opportunities to network. However, it's also a time where unexpected (but amazing!) things can happen. At my first Bootcamp, Spec Challenges led to some of my earliest published articles — and later, to a regular writing position with one of those same publications. Plus, a company from the Job Fair approaching me to write for them! [Writer Tammy Powell and her husband] Also, although I'm an introvert, I felt comfortable networking at Bootcamp. Not only did this lead to lasting friendships and important copywriting connections (including my eventual transition to PetCopywriter(dot)com), it also led to me meeting my husband at Bootcamp! I think that's because Bootcamp connects you with people who understand you and share similar life goals. Of course, you don't need to find a spouse for Bootcamp to pay off! 🙂 Instead, my point is that it's a great place to make unexpected connections, for friendship and business alike. Until you attend, you never know what's possible and where it could lead you! It's your turn to make new connections and build a writing career that fits your preferred lifestyle. But this is your LAST CHANCE to sign up for AWAI's all-new, virtual "2-Bootcamps-in-1" FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp and FastTrack to Copywriting CLIENTS. Do it now — then mark October 12-15 on your calendar for the interactive FastTrack to Copywriting Success Bootcamp. Enrollment closes at midnight tonight so [check out all the details now](! --------------------------------------------------------------- TODAY ONLY! Test-Drive AWAI's Flagship Copywriting Program for $497 $29 Curious about what it takes to become an in-demand copywriter? Test drive our flagship program The Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting for just $29, and see for yourself what it's like … [COP Product Spread] And be on your way to enjoying a quality of life most people only dream about. Work from home (or wherever in the world you choose) … the hours you prefer … and earn the kind of income doctors and lawyers earn — without the expensive degrees or the stress. See what it's all about — and decide if it's right for you — for just $29 when you take it for a 30-day test-drive. [But hurry, this "test-drive" ends tonight at midnight!]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Trouble viewing this email? [View in your browser, here](. For questions or requests: [contact us online](. --------------------------------------------------------------- ©2021 American Writers & Artists Institute Do you know of someone who would benefit from reading The Writer's Life? 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