Many people dream of being a writer but are too afraid to take the plunge. We see writers as making little, Maybe living in a tiny house typing away at their typewriter.
But that doesn't have to be the case, But you still should get the typewriter! Because typewriters are cool!
These days we have the most incredible opportunities to turn our writing into something new and amazing. We can build full sized businesses with our content. And feed our families with writing.

Show Off Your Work

I get the same comment from people whenever I encourage them to join Steemit.
" What Should I write about?"
" What If they don't like my work?"
They are so reluctant to join because they are scared for people to see their work.
I mean I'm scared too! Even after writing so many posts I get a little scared to push that publish button.
Your writing may not be perfect, but it's important that you share it even if you are scared.
One of my biggest fears as an artist, Was when I had to compete in a competition in high school, I had to paint/draw a picture from START to finish. IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE. It was traumatizing. I was painting, And so many people would walk by, Some people would stop and stare at what I was doing.
I always got a little scared, "What are they thinking?"
"Do they like it?".
But putting myself out there was one of the best things I've done for myself. Now I'm self-employed. So even if your writing isn't that good DO IT!

Don't Wait For Opportunities

This was one of my biggest faults in high school; I was always waiting for the opportunity to present it's self.
For someone well known to "notice" my work and give me an amazing career.
Because of that, I wasn't online as often LOOKING for those opportunities! Which could have made a HUGE impact!
When we wait for opportunities, We are throwing away opportunities. Sometimes the window of opportunity is small, and you have to jump into it!
When I am talking to people about joining Steemit, One of the questions I ask is, "If you could go back in time and buy Facebook Stock, Would you?"
People ALWAYS say "Yes!".
I then tell them "Well, Heres your chance."

When you have your brain open to opportunities, It seems as though opportunities gravitate towards you.
These days you can write Kindle books, Steemit posts, you can do freelance writing, There are so many opportunities for writers to make a buck. If you stay in the same niche and keep growing, you can build a monster sized content business.
Look At Steve Scott
He's a popular author on Amazon. He writes nonfiction and has written over 60 books. I love this books; They are short and very helpful! He makes over six figures a year with this book business.
He works hard, and to be honest, Many of his books aren't anything too crazy fancy, They are nonfiction with good research and personal information.

You can be successful as a nonfiction or a fiction writer! It just takes hard work and pursuing the right opportunities.

Diversify Your Income

This is probably the most important of the tips. Diversifying your income is very important so you can survive without a job.
Whenever I'm making good money doing something, I ask myself.
"IF I lose this income source, How Would I survive?"

This makes me ensure that I have enough sources of income to keep myself going.
The average millionaire has seven sources of income.

This can be hard to juggle. I have 3 Major things I dedicate my time to.

1. Steemit
2. My T-Shirt business
3. My life/Coloring books.

My goal is to get my shirt business running itself so I can work more on coloring books. I also have a goal to post more art/coloring page posts on Steemit.
These are my sources of income; I also have a bunch of other, Smaller less significant ones that bring in 10.00 or so each month.
But I don't count those as much. Make sure to pursue more than one opportunity, so you are properly balanced.

Don't Focus on The money

What?
But you want to make a living?!
I'm not saying you shouldn't charge money. But you shouldn't only care about the money you are getting.
When you focus on money, You are less focused on delivering VALUE to the customer.
Charge what you are worth, But at the same time focus on the customer Or reader. Don't publish one book per week, Unless you can provide a quality book.
Otherwise, customers will catch on, and they'll see what you are doing.
It's like those fun places, Or At the DMV, Where they just seem to "nickel" And "dime" you for everything. NO ONE likes that!
Want water? That's 10.00 Please!
Want to borrow a book? Another 10.00
Oh wait, you forgot our sidewalk, and building tax fee.
Oh wait, You want to enjoy our cold air conditioned air? 5.00

Readers don't want to feel like you have your hand in their wallets. They want to feel like, Your writing is changing their life, And as a result, they want to throw money your way.

Being a writer is about building a consistent and strong business, While diversifying, And providing value, This is in a nutshell how you can make a living with your writing.