My path to wealth
NO SHAME AROUND MONEY GOALS
You know what? I don’t think I’ve ever read pieces about the pursuit of wealth from someone who is still pursuing it. I mean someone who has openly stated that wealth is a goal but they aren’t currently wealthy. They are still in the midst of obtaining resources and building the foundation for financial security that few people are fortunate enough to reach.
I certainly haven’t read any pieces like that from writers. And maybe those pieces are out there, but it doesn’t change the reality that when it comes to money, the type of money that would change your life forever, no writer (or creative) wants to admit that the accruing of wealth is one of their goals. What if they don’t get there?
But that’s one thing that makes me different. I speak openly about wanting to sell millions of books and be recognized as one of the best writers in the world. I brag about writing affording me my three bedroom condo by the lake, being able to send my daughter to school in the U.K., and expensing family trips to the Caribbean.
All of this is intentional. I know other writers are watching. I know they’re reading my pieces or listening to my posts on IG or TikTok. They see me and feel hope; at least that’s my intention. I want writers to feel inspired that someone within their reach, someone who will reply to their emails and speak to them on Zoom calls, is actually doing the thing they were conditioned to believe wasn’t possible.
Then I think about why. Why is any of this money talk important?
I read somewhere that if we want to change the world, we need to stop protesting and start lobbying. It’s a harsh reminder that in this current system of capitalism, whoever has the most money wins.
One of the reasons that I pursue wealth is because there are so many things in this world I wish I could change. And while I do my part, I know it can only go so far without the type of resources it takes to legislate systemic change.
That’s just one reason. I don’t want to pretend that my pursuit of wealth is completely selfless. I dream of a comfortable life for myself and my family and their family after that. I want to travel the world without any concern for cost. I want to watch Man U play in a European stadium and be front row for the NBA finals. And while I’m not into cars and stuff like that, there are some material things that attract me. I’m human, and so are you. Deal with it.
As a writer, however, we’ve been conditioned to believe that the attainment of wealth is not something we should pursue. When I tell people that I write for a living, their next question is usually “is that all you do?” or “how do you actually make money?”
“I write.”
That’s always my response. The look on their faces is typically one of disbelief, either because they think I’m lying or actual disbelief because I’m not some famous writer so how can I possibly earn enough from writing to call it a career.
It’s possible. I’m possible. And if you’re reading this, so are you.
I’m obviously not at wealth yet. I’m not even at rich yet. But I will get there. As sure as I told myself that I would be a full time writer. As sure as I told myself that I will be a published author. As sure as I told myself that I would write for the biggest publishers in the world, it will happen. It’s already happening.
And I need more of you to follow. Go back and read my pieces on WRITERS ARE SUPERSTARS. Yes, I’m connecting publishing to pop culture, but I’m also educating writers on how you can build your careers. I’m giving you the blueprint. I’m doing the research so you don’t have to. Then I’m blending research with my own experiences to create content you literally can’t find anywhere else.
I can carry that weight. Actually, I don’t even see it as weight. This is my fate, my mission, my purpose. And wealth is a part of that; at least it will be. I don’t mind standing alone and being the voice that breathes confidence in all of us. As long as you’re inhaling that air and exhaling your greatness onto the world, I’ll stand alone as long as I need to.
I have a hard time writing about the pursuit of wealth because I inevitably talk about my struggles with poverty and I feel like talking about being poor is a turn-off for readers. I could be wrong in a general sense, but from my experience, that's what I've noticed.