How are acupuncturists like writers?  They’re both artists.  Writers create worlds with their words and acupuncturists create health with their needles.  Both tend to love doing their art. Both tend to struggle to make ends meet.  There are always those out there who manage a business that feeds them, but in both professions, there are more who struggle to make ends meet.  I have always written so I follow some blogs on professional writing.  I’m intrigued by Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s work on the Business Rusch.  She’s writing for writers and there are a few common things writers tend to do that acupuncturists also tend to do.

Writers want to think that all they have to do to be a professional writer is write.  They want to leave publishing, marketing and getting paid to someone else.  Writers have the advantage here because there are systems in place that let them do this (although there are downsides to this, so don’t be too jealous).  Acupuncturists want to think they are professional if all they do is treat patients and do it well.  In both cases, they need to understand the business side of their art.

Kris has a great list for what writer’s don’t do, which I’m quoting here,

• Writers strive for survival, not wealth
• Writers don’t have financial goals
• Writers don’t know their worth
• Writers don’t get rich because they don’t envision themselves rich
• Writers refuse to learn when and where they have power
• Writers lack a sense of entitlement