Why I’ve Started My Own Kofi Account

Did you know I have been blogging for 4 years, 5 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days? That’s almost 4 1/2 years!! That’s crazy.

And did you know that, within that time, I’ve only launched 1 profitable venture? That was my self published novel, The Storm Inside. Several months later, I looked back at this book I barely spent any time on, and – surprise surprise – realized that it was awful. I proceeded to try to rewrite it several times until I realized that it was making me miserable, and finally just took it down.

Not the happiest of stories.

Ever since then, I haven’t attempted to launch something that people could pay me for.

Until now.

What is Kofi?

Kofi is an online platform where creatives can receive donations/tips for their work! Most people charge about $5 US for a one-time payment, which, of course, is about the price of a coffee. Get it? That’s why it’s called Kofi. Okay I’ll be quiet now.

It’s a way to support creatives in a small way, which is especially nice if you appreciate their work and want to support them in some way without spending a ton of money on their merchandise (if they even have that).

I’ve been kind of sitting on the idea of starting my own Kofi account for a while, and finally have taken the leap. My own base amount for a tip is just $3 CA, which I know is a little lower than usual. But, hey, I literally appreciate anything and everything that comes my way, so I’m not about to force someone to start higher up! 😝

Why I Decided to do This

I have some very exciting news: I have been accepted into The Author Conservatory!! 😄 It’s a 3-year online program that teaches Christian writers about writing, business, and publishing, while giving them support, community, and mentoring. It’s pretty much the school I always dreamed of, but didn’t think existed.

The Author Conservatory was founded by Brett Harris and Kara Swanson. Do those names sound familiar? Probably. Brett and Kara have both done very well as authors.

I’m excited.

I decided to start the program in September, because

1. that gives me more time to save
2. one of my sisters is getting married this year (!!)
3. I’m going to be a bridesmaid in said wedding
4. and we’re moving.

So, definitely a lot going on in my life. Waiting for September gives me some buffer months for everything to happen, me to settle in, and be mentally ready for school.

AND I AM LITERALLY SO EXCITED!!

It’s a school for writing. Creative writing! Not an English major! And it’s taught by people who have actually done the things they’re talking about, been involved in the industry, and will be able to give me actually constructive feedback and good advice. We’re talking Brett Harris, Kara Swanson, Nadine Brandes, Sara Ella, and Andrew Peterson, just to name a few. Did you catch that?? The author of Fawkes is part of this. I’ve literally mentioned that story in my 12 Days of Christmas Book Tag before! *shrieks*

I actually started telling my oldest sister all about it yesterday, and literally was out of breath from excitement as I told her all about it. 😂

So, what does this have to do with me giving everyone hopeful puppy eyes for chocolate croissant money?

Don’t feel pressured to do this lol that was a joke

Even thought they’re going to be teaching me about businesses in this course, I decided just before finding the program that I was going to really go all-in this year with my blog; it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but never took action.

So, in reality, this decision was not 100% affected by me going to school. However, the timing happens to line up quite nicely with the fact that *cough* school is expensive, and I still need to be able to pay for this blog. And I would like to be able to launch my own products (boooooookssssss!!! *shrieks*), and I’ll need a car sometime in the future. Cause, you know… we’re moving. 😂

So, I finally took the leap and created my own Kofi account! 😄

Moving Forward

It’s your choice about whether or not you want to give me a tip; I have published 176 posts – not counting this one – as I attempt to help others in their writing journeys. I understand that not everyone has the funds to contribute, but another way you can help me is simply by sharing what I do with others! 😄 The more people I reach, the more I can help, which is obviously the point here. I chose to be a blogger so I could help people for free; that’s important to me. But, if you ever feel like giving back… you now have that option! 😉

This is only the beginning. For so long, I have felt stagnant and like I’m not going anywhere. But I recently realized that I’ve let myself hold myself back, using the excuse of going to school for something as a sort of protective blanket from really trying.

This took many forms: for years, it was just the idea of going to school for something; then it became being a librarian. And then a book keeper. And then an astronomer. Always something, never writing.

Until now.

Funnily enough, I finally decided to be honest with myself and admit that I don’t actually want to go to school for a career, and as soon as I did and decided to really get serious with my blog… I found The Author Program. So, this decision came beforehand. But it makes sense to follow in the aftermath.

There’s no protective blanket here, now, muffling the voices I should actually be listening to.

Just me.

Always writing.

And there’s more that’s going to come.

This is just the beginning.

I truly appreciate that you’re even here and reading my blog at all; it means the world to me. So, thank you. For everything. 😊

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If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:

When Words Fly Launch Tour

Author + Character Interview: Beyond Her Calling

What We Can Learn from 100 Days of Sunlight + Interview with the Author! {How to Keep Readers Interested}

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Things are going to really start picking up speed around here; if you want to see that, make sure to subscribe! I appreciate everyone who does, and you get more exclusive content than just the WordPress follow allows (though I obviously still appreciate everyone who follows through WordPress as well 😝)

Have you ever heard of Kofi before?

Or The Author Conservatory?

And are you also excited for everything?!

-Julia

Photo by Molly Blackbird on Unsplash