How to Start Writing on a $10 Budget

You CAN start writing with just $10!  All you need to write is a paper and pencil.  You can get those free at a street carnival, as long as the Governor's campaign slogan doesn't disrupt your imagination.  Then, you will have $10 left for soda and snacks. Sweet.

Oh, you want to get published?  Well, this post isn't called Getting Published on a $10 Budget, though I did start my journey with a $10 budget.  I even looked straight into my husband's eyes and said, "I would like to write children's books.  I need $10 to get started."  Sure, I could have skimmed $10 off of a grocery trip, but creating a budget gave my venture a professional feel and a level of commitment.

I even had a spreadsheet:

Writing Budget, Lauri Meyers Children's Book Writer


I found a dime in the couch cushion and was good to go.
  
Where shall we start addressing my naiveté?  I suppose I will show you what I have spent five months later:

Three Submissions ($10) First off, I blew the original $10 in the first month on 32 poundpaper (probably too thick), 6x9" envelopes (probably unnecessary for short books), and $0.65 postage to cover the bigger envelopes and thicker paper.  In the future I will stick with a nice looking 20 pound paper, but keep the larger envelopes.   Your manuscript is your baby; it is physically painful to fold it multiple times and smush it into an envelope.  (I should be so considerate with my 2yo who looked like a sausage today when I forced her into an 18 month swimsuit.)

SCBWI Membership ($85 first year)  For children's books writers SCBWI is the premiere organization.  Membership includes a magazine subscription, writing resources, a forum, support, and conferences; plus it can open doors by demonstrating your commitment.  There are many writing organizations- keep it simple with one paid group and several free online groups.

Books on Writing ($30)  Initially, I was so overwhelmed with the amount of information on the internet, I didn't think I needed books.  A few edits in I realized I didn't have the tools I needed to learn the craft.  The library selection was lacking in this area, so I opted for 5 used books:

Business cards ($12).  Not having business cards was one of my excuses for not going to a conference.  For a little cash I eliminated the barrier.  I don't know what other doors these little cards may open, but my imagination is quite active.   So far my Dad has one.  

Here's the budget recap:
Budget          $10
Actuals        $137
Overspend   $127

I wouldn't be a good financial professional without saying I still have 6 months in the budget year to make up the gap with some income.   This may require creative accounting to recognize some income this year from my currently-unwritten-future-best-seller; but storytellers can do that.

I also have my sights set on spending more money this year- maybe a conference?  For me to put in the request for a few hundred bucks, I may have to demonstrate capability by selling a magazine article or getting a really nice, personalized rejection letter.   Hmm, better start skimming off the grocery budget...

Do you have a writing budget?  Please share your budget insights in the comments!

Comments

  1. Great post Lauri!! And by the way, you started out with a larger budget then I did. Not fair!! =))

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    1. You thought you could do it for $9.99? Ah, that would have been a better headline!

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  3. Budget, you started with a budget? I thought I would make millions just with my brain power! I am overwhelmed by how much there is to learn and how much you could spend money on! Great post, Lauri

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    1. Well, the budget was just to send my first submissions which I assumed would then magically turn into cash. I knew so little initially the other expenses did not even occur to me.

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  4. Very funny post, Lauri. Not sure if you meant this as a joke or as a seious post, but I enjoyed it. Good luck with the children's writing.

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    1. Thank you Amanda. Yes, I generally aim for truth + creativity through a humorous voice. This really is what I have spent to date!

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  5. Funny! Thanks, Lauri. I'm not too good with the estimating, either. This week I blew my personal budget on a writing book and wine. Guess you can see where my priorities lie. ;-)

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    1. As far as I am concerned those were CRITICAL purchases for a writer!

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  6. My last published story earned $0 (common for stories to be published without pay, or pay in copies), and my total costs for that story (submission fees, etc) were $102. Last year, submissions cost me $74, with no income for those submissions. Yeah, start skimming the grocery money. ;)

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    1. Ooh, you are doing ugly math like when I tried to calculate my writing hourly wage by dividing $0 Income/ 25 hours per week. It's all for the love of writing, right?

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