Money Baby

"The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why." Mark Twain

I have finally figured out my why. Is it being a famous writer? It would be cool if it happened, but it's not my absolute goal this year. When it comes to writing, I want to have fun with writing and make money.

Honestly, my 2024 goal is to make an extra $100,000 this year. Absolutely totally crazy, I know. But there is a reason why I want to make this much money. Writing can be a source of income and help me reach my goal. I have never won a contest or even had a top story on Vocal, but it could happen. In order for me to make money in writing, I must improve and write something interesting.

I have taken writing workshops in the past and it really did improve my writing. These classes were pretty inexpensive and totally worth it. My goal this year to improve my writing is to take at least 3 workshops this year.

Another thing I found is that reading other's work is another way to improve my writing. Try something new by reading something different. I used to only read books written by Stephen King or John Saul. My writing buddies at the workshop recommended that I read new authors. I decided to take class where we had to read George Saunder's book called Intendance Day. During class, we would discuss the short stories in the book as well as George Saunders writing style. I have never heard of him before, but now I am a fan and would highly recommend reading his work.

There are also really great stories and poetry on Vocal. Another goal I will do is to read at a mixture of five stories or poems on vocal per week. I do read the top stories and contest winners, but I also will read other writer's work on vocal. We need to support each other. If you want others to read your work, you should do the same. I have taken an entire year off Vocal, but I am back and plan to be an active member in 2024 just as I was a few years back. It really feels great being a member of this community again.

There are groups on Facebook such as the Vocal Creators Lounge and the Vocal Creators Support Group. I have found many great writers and poets on these Facebook groups that I wouldn't have found otherwise. It is a great way to share your stories and poetry with other people who are writers and poets just like you. Vocal has such a large platform that it can be hard to get noticed. If you ever take the time to read my writing and share your stories or poems with me on Facebook, I promise I will read your writing 100% of the time. But let's be fair, if I share a poem, please share a poem with me. It takes a lot longer to read a story than it does a poem.

Now making an extra 100,000 isn't easy. In order to make this much money, I have to at all costs take care of myself. I took some of the top New Year's Resolutions according to the Clevland Clinic, Dec. 2023, and how they can relate to my goal that includes making money in writing.

1. Eating healthier. In order for me to have optimal health, I must eat better. Losing weight will just be a bonus.

2. Working out more. I must fit in at least 20 minutes of exercise 3-5 times a week.

3. Drinking less alcohol (at least from the night before the start of 2024). Just kidding, I don't have an issue with alcohol, but it is a problem for some people. I know someone who lost everything. When she quit drinking, she totally turned her life around.

4. Managing stress. This is a serious issue for me. I practice yoga and mindful meditation, which truly helps with decreasing my stress levels. As a child, when I would get upset, my mother used to tell me to take deep breaths. Taking deep breaths relaxes the mind and decreases anxiety.

5. Quitting smoking or vaping. I quit smoking cigarettes over 25 years ago. It was the best thing I did for my health.

6. Cooking more. Honestly this one isn't for me. I live with someone who loves to cook, and he is very good at it.

7. Creating a work-life balance. This is my goal for 2025. Right now, I have to work 50-60 hours a week in order to achieve my goal. On my time off, I do things I enjoy. I hike and do lots of yoga. Writing is also something I enjoy, so it really isn't stressful for me.

8. Prioritizing your mental health. Absolutely take care of your mental health at all costs. Sometimes you just need someone to talk to. Every Sunday, I go to breakfast with my best friend. Together we just bitch about work. It just helps to talk to someone you can trust. I wish the United States would take care of Mental Health just as they would a heart attack. It is just as serious.

Failed New Year's goals are a truly a thing. I had taught yoga classes previously. January to mid-February my yoga classes were at max capacity and often times I even had to turn people away. By March, it was business as usual with all the die-hard yogis and a few new students coming back for classes. There is no way I will fail. I will make my goal happen at all costs.

My why in 2024 is to become a mother. Thirteen years ago, I had a miscarriage and lost my baby boy. I couldn't get pregnant since and even if I could, my doctors told me years ago, I could never carry a child to term. My husband and I decided to have a baby through gestational surrogacy. We started this process back in May of 2023. Since then I found a 20 year old pension plan from a previous employer that was worth 47,000. We both have been working overtime and have made an additional $30,000. Three viable embryos have been created with my husband's sperm and donor eggs. The hard part of this is to decide which embryo will be implanted. We are now in the process of choosing a surrogate who will carry our child for nine months. All I need now is an additional 100,000 to pay for the loans that will cover the remainder of the cost of gestational surrogacy.

Why do you write? Is it to make money? Is it to share your voice? Is it because you want to share something beautiful? Do you want to make an impact on someone's life? Maybe you want to be like Stephen King and scare someone so they can't sleep at night. Do you write to inspire others or just want to make people laugh? I strongly believe if you find out your why, you will be successful as a writer.