Thinking through a new wee venture

I've been toying with the idea of  trying to turn something I love to do, write personal poems, into a little business venture. I've drafted and re-drafted a new web page and titled it 'Jane Writes for You' but I just don’t feel ready to hit the 'Publish' button yet.

It’s really not that big a deal in the whole scheme of things (especially at this time, when everyone in my wee country has a huge decision to make...) and I’m not sure why I’m dithering so much.

So, I'm going to do what I tell other people to do when faced with a quandary and pull my thoughts out of my head and put them down on paper (metaphorically speaking!).  I’m hoping that working them through here will help me come to some sort of decision.   

I’ve written lots of poems for my friends and family. It’s something I really enjoy doing and I know these little rhymes have given quite a lot of pleasure over the years, not just to the people they’ve been written for. It’s much easier to write for people I know well, but I have written poems for people I don’t know too - mostly as a favour for friends. Although it’s more challenging they’ve always been really well received. So, I know I can do it. That’s a plus point.

It’s a privilege being trusted to translate a person's stories, thoughts and feelings about someone they care about into a poignant, engaging or entertaining personal poem. It’s a very kind of special thing to spend time doing. That’s another plus point.

When I'm writing a poem about someone I know and care about, I get to feel good about making someone who’s special to me feel special. When I'm writing a poem about someone I don't know (though, I do actually sort of come to know these people from the information I've been given) I get to feel good about making the person who'll be delivering the poem feel good because they're making the person who's receiving the poem feel special, or their audience feel moved or entertained! (Does that make any kind of sense?!) That’s another plus point.

I love to talk and listen as well as write. I love to chat, but I’m a listener too. People feel better in themselves, or can see things more clearly, after talking things through and I’ve always felt there’s a big difference between listening to what people are saying and hearing what people are saying. And I’m wondering if that brings an added dimension to this idea of writing for people. Some people might find it kind of therapeutic to talk through (or write down) their thoughts about the person the poem’s about - especially if deep feelings or poignant stories are being shared. That’s a plus point.

Maybe I’m getting a bit carried away! Maybe it’s mostly about writing wee ditties for folk who’d like to give something a bit different to their friends or family as a gift! Well, that would still be a plus point!

It’s difficult to work out what to charge. There would be some ‘practical’ expenses, but mostly what I’ll be charging for is my time and, I guess, my skill. Sometimes I can write a poem in a few hours, sometimes it takes me days. How do I set the price? Too expensive and people won’t buy - or will have extremely high expectations! Too cheap and I’ll feel like I’m selling myself short and that I can’t devote enough time to each poem. And, what’s the point in doing this if I can’t give everyone the best of my time and attention? It’s got to feel fair, both to the person buying the poem and to myself. Costing it out is a minus.

Focussing on writing personal poems might detract from my ambition to ‘be’ a writer....Wait a minute. Is this what it’s all about? Is this the ‘wrong’ kind of writing? I’m ashamed to admit it, but this might be it. Jeeso. What a numpty I've been! I would still ‘be’ a writer! What nicer and more meaningful accolade can there be than someone feeling special or feeling good after they’ve heard or read something you’ve written – whether it’s been a piece of perfect prose, a novel, an article, a blog post - or a personal poem? Tsk. Get over yourself Jane. Something that was a minus has just become a great big fat plus.

So, it looks like the Ayes have it. Just a bit more pondering over such things as price, presentation and how to put it out there then I think I’ll be ready to hit the publish button....Decision, almost, made. That’s what’s making me feel good today.