The Simmonds Signal

Weekly insights for artists, writers, and storytellers to turn art into a fulfilling, sustainable career.

"Six months of writing online, and not a single dollar to show for it."

That’s what a student told me about a year ago. He wasn’t just frustrated—he was drained.

Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.

And I couldn't blame him.

Sure, his follower count was creeping up. But six months of sacrifices, late nights, and relentless uncertainty without a hint of progress? That’s enough to make anyone question their choices.

I know because I’ve been there.

When I started writing online, I spent six months working long days teaching and even longer nights writing—only to earn nothing. Worse than nothing, really. I’d lost money buying courses, books, and tools that dangled promises of quick wins but delivered nothing but disappointment.

Maybe you can relate.

You’re writing through tired eyes, churning out posts after work, skipping plans with friends and family to “stay consistent.” But every small sacrifice feels heavier when you don’t know if it will ever pay off.

And then the doubts start to creep in:

• What if this never works?

• What if I’m wasting my time?

• What if I’m not good enough?

Those doubts are ruthless.

I’ve heard them both in my own head and in my students’ voices.

So when that student poured his frustrations out to me, I shared the one thing my mentor told me when I was drowning in doubt:

“Nothing happens. Then everything happens. You’re doing the right things. There’s no secret hack you’re missing, no magical shortcut. Success is just a matter of time and resilience."

I won’t lie: he hated that answer. Honestly, so did I back when I was in his shoes.

When you’re deep in the weeds, “just keep going” feels like an insult. It’s hard to trust the process when you’re running on caffeine and self-doubt.

But here’s the thing: he didn’t quit.

And within the next 30 to 60 days, things started happening.

He landed a few ghostwriting clients and his income shot from $0 to $3,000+ seemingly overnight.

It didn’t feel real to him—until it was.

Looking back, I know why he succeeded:

He understood what intelligence really means.

Naval Ravikant said it best:

Success didn’t come because my student knew everything. It came because he did the right things, even when they felt pointless.

Because getting what you want isn’t just about what you know. It’s about what you do—and who you become in the process.

If we’re being honest, you already know what you need to do:

• Write Daily: Write for 1 to 2 hours a day, even when it feels like nobody cares

• Imitate the Greats: Handwrite great writing until you know instinctively what makes it great

• Solve Real Pain: Find problems so sharp they can’t be ignored, and offer solutions that stick.

• Tighten Your Feedback Loop: Put your work out there. Learn from what lands and what doesn’t.

• Study Ethical Persuasion: Write words that move people—because those are the words that get paid.

And if you’re building a personal brand while doing all this? You’re already smarter than most, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.

You know the steps; now take them, or stay continue to stay stuck where you stand.

– Taylin John Simmonds

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PPS. It may or may not be intelligent to drink feminine drinks with your best guy friends. Strawberry Mojito anyone?