Dreading Diversification? Don't

Writing venues come and go; be it websites, magazines or publishers. Topics become uber competitive or obsolete. Freelance writers get this. We talk endlessly of eggs and baskets--diversification pontification at its finest. Yet many of us dread actually doing it.

We shouldn't, but we do.

Why does diversification make so many of us apprehensive? Fear of rejection (so they say, 'no'. Next!), unsure of how to proceed (100s of websites and books out there to walk you through it), not enough time (Are you really that busy or is it an excuse?)--the list goes on.

My duck-and-run urges and nervousness come along when it's time to submit that very first article. I'm a winner! They want my work--but what if they change their minds? (What good is that acceptance high without a payday? Oh, not a good fit? Did I mention, 'Next!'?)

The thrill of the hunt: Which outlet is your next target?

Diversification is simply a matter of casting as many well-baited lines as possible. See what you reel in. Toss out the gigs that are too small and don't worry about the big one that got away. There will be another chance to hook it proper. Simple as that.


Maybe instead of dreading diversifying, we should fear not knowing. Because actually trying lets us hold our heads up proudly when we land a gig. Accomplishments, large or small, are powerful things. Not putting our writing feelers out there and seeing what we are capable of achieving, well, that small inside feeling just sucks. Never had a rejection feel as bad.

Don't fear the big 'D,' embrace it. That's my pep talk for the day.

Are you a diversification machine? Tentatively dipping your toe in the query pond? A one topic/genre, one outlet and that's just how I roll writer?