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My drug of choice is writing––writing, art, reading, inspiration, books, creativity, process, craft, blogging, grammar, linguistics, and did I mention writing?

Thursday, June 29, 2017

I Can't Do This All On My Own

It's up to you!
Hi everyone. Today marks the second of six Thursdays where I'm going to try to do something a little like a pledge drive. (Minus the fuzzy sweater and the thinking everything is "terribly interesting.") I bug you for money in a real soft, but smart sounding voice and if you haven't already donated, you either sit and shift awkwardly in your chair and hope it doesn't last too long, or [better] remember that this was totally something you were going to do because Writing About Writing has brought you hours of entertainment, and you are super grateful for the reminder.

If you're just joining us, it might seem like there's a lot of asking for money and not so much content, but for those of you who've been with us for months or years, you know that I'm working hard to bring this blog good content as often as possible and that a lull in my ability to write for six weeks out of the year is a good time to remind everyone that I need your help.

That's because my ability to keep on writing (about writing) largely depends on all of you. And that we've come this far is because of the generosity of so many (and a particular amazing few).

This is a screenshot from MY PATREON.  I'm currently 67% to my third goal, which will keep me from having to drive for Lyft or something once I run out of Kickstarter funds allotted for the novel and keep me writing instead.

Up 2% from last week.
Chug! Chug! Chug!

Only 33% to go!!!

I may be able to shoestring my budget currently as long as I cut down on the book splurges....and luxuries like brand name peanut butter, but one of my jobs is on a long, slow phase out. If I can't make up the income I will eventually lose there, I'm going to have to find a clock to punch in order to not starve.

The goal I'm 67% to is not enough to cover the loss of said job, but I have a bit more time until that job is completely gone, and if I can reach just that goal by the end of this six weeks*, then I'll consider myself reasonably safe for what's coming in the next couple of years. Every dollar I make now will mean that much longer before I have to start hitting my Kickstarter money, and the longer it will last.

There are many more goals. Some because the funds allotted through Kickstarter are finite and will be used up. Some to remove the need for jobs that take me away from writing, like teaching summer school (though it's great pay so it's probably going last). Some, as I said, because one source of income is eventually going away. Some because my current living situation won't last forever. Some because I can only keep not contributing to some kind of retirement fund for so long before I have to do the responsible adult thing. But at least hitting this ONE goal before my drive is over will be a step in the right direction enough to give me hope that the rest can be done given time.

(*Or shhhhh, a big chunk of it, but don't tell the producers I asked for anything less than the whole enchilada or they won't let me drive the dolphin shaped jet ski around the olympic pool.)

Since this blog's inception, due to the breathtaking generosity of patrons and donations from readers like you, we have been able to:
  • Quit teaching during the regular year and write instead
  • Bring you more content
  • Remove the annoying ads
  • Up the number of high quality posts each week. 
  • (Not to put too fine a point on it, but we've been able to keep bringing you content through what would otherwise have been some completely devastating life transitions that would have put most bloggers on hiatus.) 
  • Gone from five posts a week to six. 
  • And we've been able to take far fewer random days off. 

Here are some things I'd like to add if we continue to get more support:
  • Even more posts, and more high-quality posts (less jazz hands)
  • A seventh post each week
  • A greater number of carefully (perhaps even professionally) edited and revised posts
  • More fiction
  • Always and ever free longer fiction (books)
  • An always, forever, ad free experience on Writing About Writing


If I can't reach this goal by the end of the six weeks, I may have to return to hosting ads on Writing About Writing and I may have to consider other ways to monetize my work and/or some kind of day job that'll take me away from writing more content for you. It's not something I want to do, and it will actually limit the rage of certain kinds of content I can post, but I'll need to shore up that gap somehow and eating Raman for every meal only sounds like it is delightfully Bohemian.

Remember just twelve dollars a year–just ONE DOLLAR a month–gets you in on backchannel conversations with other patrons, polls, and conversations about future projects including sometimes even me trying to get your input. But perhaps, most importantly, you'll be supporting an artist to continue making art that will always be free for everyone to enjoy.

So if you like what I do and want to see me do more of it, not have to do less of it, and continue to do it without ads and for free, please consider a small pledge. We wouldn't have gotten this far without our patrons, and we can't do more without you.

Again here is that link:  https://www.patreon.com/chrisbrecheen

And of course if committing to a monthly amount isn't feasible, you can always make a one-time donation through my Paypal (at the top left of the screen).

[Note: I'll add to the bells and the whistles and the jazz hands to this appeal post each week as this six weeks of summer school goes on.]

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