(NB: My posts on writing/blogging normally go live on Saturdays, but I’m publishing this a day early). Do you do "cross-over" writing (that’s how I like to think of it!)? In other words, do you write in multiple genres?

If yes, you likely know you’re one of very few. Most of the advice I’ve encountered from “experts” has tended to support specializing in a particular writing genre. According to them, doing otherwise would amount to spreading yourself too thin, to be effective.

Hmm, I would say, not necessarily. It depends on who is doing it!

For Some, Being Multipreneurial Brings Out The Best In Them (& Makes Them MORE Useful to Society)

Despite reading and hearing from people who know, for years (even when I was in paid employment), I’ve never been able to fall in line. I’ve never been able to endure sticking with one genre. Or “one” anything. I simply cannot help myself. It’s a compelling urge.

You see, I think I have a demon in me that won’t let me NOT put my entire wealth of unique abilities to use. I actually believe most human beings have similar multiple inborn abilities. But many choose to suppress them in favor of one or a few, to avoid freaking others out.

Who wants to be seen to have 8 arms (figuratively and literally speaking) when everyone else has only two? “Not me!” is what most easy going people would say or think

If simply willing the unwanted arms into hiding was possible, they would do it. If not, they’d probably get rid of the six extra arms by surgical means!

For me however, I’ve been patient enough to discover that my multipreneurial tendencies – more often than not – help me make the world around me better.

We cannot all be the same. I do not want to be like – or better than – anyone. I just want to be the best of ME, and help others willing to do the same in the process!

Since arriving here in Benin Republic, I’ve continued relating with new/old clients, locally, as well as back home, and even abroad, in the different areas I offer products. And I’m getting referrals, and repeat projects from high profile clients. I’m living my dream – despite starting up through very humbling circumstances. You can too, if you do not limit yourself.

Two Writers Who Inspire Me With Their Ability to “Cross Over”

1. Wole Soyinka

Yesterday (28th August 2013), I read an announcement – on Facebook – for commencement of preparations for the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature.

The organizers have always made the awards open to writers from all genres, because Soyinka himself writes in all.

Not surprisingly, the level of interest from writers from various genres in Africa is far from small. Starting with 87 entries from 8 countries in 2005 (the first year), the biennial competition has seen 204 entries from 10 countries in the 2nd edition, 336 entries from 11 countries in the 3rd edition, and 402 entries from 26 African countries in the 4th edition.

Possibly in order to ensure balance in assessing writing from different genres, from this year on, each edition is focused on a particular genre.

For instance, the 2014 edition will consider Drama (for which Soyinka is most renowned). 2016 will be for Poetry and 2018 for Prose. In 2020, the competition will consider essays on Politics, Freedom, Human Rights and Human Conditions, Leadership etc.

As can be seen from the above list, Soyinka’s writing cut across all those genres. Yet he did well enough to be reckoned with internationally. No wonder he won the Nobel Prize for Literature!

Virtually all African writers from every genre can enter for the Soyinka award today (to have their works considered for a hefty $20,000 US dollar prize!), because he chose not to limit himself to writing in one genre. He simply followed his instincts, drawing inspiration from his environment.

I think all participating writers should thank him for doing that. The organizers should also thank him as well.

Why?

Because Soyinka’s versatility has made their award appealing to a wider audience of writers than they would normally have gotten, had they stuck to a single (or a few) genre(s): FACT.

2. Roy Stevenson

Professor Soyinka ability to effortlessly write across genres will always inspire me. But being a freelance writer, I can relate even better to Roy Stevenson’s achievements.

I’ve never met, or even spoken to him. Not even via email.

Yet I aspire to be like him. This is a guy who makes (at least in freelance writing) the world turn around on it’s head.

I first saw his name on a promotional page, which AWAI linked from an email offer (titled “Open Auditions for Travel Writers”) they sent out.

Read the introduction on his writer website. It clearly indicates just how versatile, and accomplished he is at writing stories for many different genres, and niche magazines.

It’s true that the copy on his website is designed to make him look good. But one cannot argue with facts either.

This guy gets a lot of his writing published (over 800 articles!) in more than TEN(10) very different genres! Examples include wine and beer, running and triathlon training, military history, film festivals, and even classic vehicles!

With respect to the title of THIS article you’re reading (right now), the last sentence in the second paragraph on Roy’s home page speaks volumes. It basically states that his achievements show freelance writers that they can get published in multiple genres and publications. Just like he does.

And his clients feel he does them a world of good (see link below).

Roy says he has “diverse interests and experiences” plus he “enjoys writing in many genres.” I just love how he put that. It so perfectly describes how I feel about my own multidisciplinary writing :-))

Qualities Required for Successful Multidisciplinary Writing

How do these guys do what they do? What makes it possible for Roy, in particular, to write – seemingly effortlessly – across a wide variety of genres, when others cannot…and some even say it’s not possible?

What makes him able to do so, often times better than those who focus on one or a few genres?

There are clues one can easily pick up from what those he serves say. I’ll use what editors said in their testimonials, and comments by Visitor’s Bureaus, to list a few that showed through:

1. He has a passion for diverse subjects. He comes up with great story ideas and builds them attractively.

2. He is disciplined, very thorough…and prolific (over 800 articles published speaks top level “productivity”!)

3. He knows how to get the information he needs – by research, interviews and site visits.

4. He knows how to present imageries via professional photography often handled by his wife (Linda Popovich) – who is herself well accomplished in Freelance Photography – to convey fuller meaning to readers.

5. He is very skilled at communicating, and following up.

6. He knows how to write without jargon, breaking down the information for non-technical readers’ comprehension.

7. He knows how to strike a delicate balance in his writing, to meet the needs of readers, and at the same time address the concerns of editors and visitor’s bureaus.

8. He’s also good at selling his ideas to editors and clients – making most of his pieces pre-sold. The result is that they often get top feature spots, and wide readership – to the delight of all!

No wonder he gets so many rave testimonials. Roy’s multidisciplinary writing is a blessing to many!

NB: Anyone who wants to achieve similar results to Roy’s a multipreneurial freelance writer, will find doing the above worthwhile.

SOME TRUE STORIES THAT PROVE THIS STRATEGY WORKS

I “enjoy” writing – daily – on six different categories on my multidisciplinary blog. In addition, I also greatly enjoy writing stories for clients on different subjects e.g. audiology, real estate, law/legal matters, medicine, hospitality and entertainment, interior design, water treatment and purification etc.

Working this way makes every project feel like a brand new adventure. Never boring

But I’m not the only one who benefits. My clients equally reap useful multiple rewards from having me around.

I recently helped a new client convert his static html website (for his farm, which is located in South West, Nigeria) to a dynamic/database driven Joomla! version.

When I finished work on the website, he hired me to develop a custom Excel-VB software to manage the farm (His driver will be transporting me to the farm, in Nigeria today – 30th August 2013 – so I can conduct a preliminary farm "situation analysis". We return to Benin Republic tomorrow).

A few days ago, I pitched (via email) the idea of using many amazing true life stories he’d told me, as an article series e.g. for his online business promotion via the website and social media.

As you can see from the email below, he instantly bought into the idea – and even thanked me for proposing it!

It goes without saying, that if I had stuck to my web design/excel software development services alone, this new opportunity would never have materialised.

If You Feel Like IT, Don’t Hold Back: Write On As Many Genres As You Find Necessary

IMPORTANT NOTE: I’ve never met Roy or Soyinka. Neither have I ever communicated with either of them. They are also not aware I’ve written this article featuring them , and I will NOT be telling them. I’ve used Soyinka as an example for obvious reasons (he’s a Nobel Laureate in Literature!); and Roy, because AWAI rate him very highly as a Top Instructor: which means he must be really successful as a freelance writer!

YOU (and I do mean YOU, reading this article at this very moment) CAN become another “Roy” or “Soyinka"…or better!

Something inside you could be telling you that, right now. Don’t ignore it.

Imagine if Roy had chosen only one or two, and turned away others who enquired after his services in their preferred genres? Imagine if Professor Soyinka had chosen to stick with just one genre?

Would the world have enjoyed as much benefit as it has today, from them?

I doubt it.

Indeed, as a multidisciplinary writer myself, I argue that those who follow this path can often use it to test and refine their writing in each genre. Over time they may find one that yields the best rewards.

In the process, they’ll also improve their proficiency in the other genres, often to a level comparable with that of those who specialize exclusively in them.

And the world would be a better place because they did so.

Success in freelance writing – or indeed any other area of life – requires passion, backed by effort, commitment, diligence – and most importantly, relentless persistence. Except you want to cheat – your way to success (and some do!), the foregoing are a reality you must face.

But what if you lack money?

This article explains how the earlier mentioned qualities, combined with creative thinking, can still get you to your preferred destination.

When a Rich Person Says S/he’s Broke, It’s Rarely The Same Thing As What a Poor Person Means!

In other words, lack of money is often relative. It’s important that we always keep this in mind.

In the past I’ve had wealthy clients who paid hundreds of thousands for social pleasures like parties, holidays etc, right before my eyes.

And at the same moment they told me my fees, which were a fraction of those expenses I saw them make, were too high – offering to pay half or even less. When I suggested we wait till they had enough money to pay the fees I could accept, they insisted I start work, and that they would pay later.

The few times I ever accepted to do that taught me never to do so again. Getting them to pay up the difference was almost like trying to get the proverbial Camel to pass through the eye of a needle!

But in every single case, I did get my money.

Afterwards however, for such individuals, I simply adopted a 100% advance payment option – with 5 to 10% discount, if s/he accepted. Since they knew I was competent, those who truly needed it paid up.

In essence, I’m saying that we may not all mean the same things when we say we have no money!

So, What Do YOU Mean When You Say You Have No Money?

This is a function of how important your dream is to you.

Do a little hard thinking to see if there are areas you currently spend money that you can put on hold for now, to channel money from there to your goal.

I have done that many, many, many times – and at different levels.

For me, when it comes to pursuing my goals, I can be merciless with myself. I’m always prepared to get as along with as little as possible until my purpose is achieved. This mental attitude enables me get results when most other people would have thrown their arms up in frustration.

Believe it or not, I once went 48 hours without eating any food (drinking only water) – just to have enough money to continue working at a café, over a weekend. A client payment had failed to come in, and funds I was expecting had not arrived. I could have rightfully chosen to suspend my work online, but I felt too strongly about my work to do so!

That’s what it means to have heart i.e. so much love and passion for what you do, that you’ll endure any hardship to keep going!

Some Have Asked Me: Tayo “How do you do it?”….”What keeps you going?”

But even as I explain, I often see from the looks in their eyes, that most people would rarely accept to “punish” themselves (that’s how they see it) that way.

They however do point out0that I obviously get great fulfillment and joy from doing what I do. This could explain (at least in part) periodic observations by long term acquaintances, that I seem not to be aging

Interesting, for a guy who "flogs" himself so mercilessly…to NOT look stressed, worn out or over worked?!

My experiences tell me the answer is in discovering your purpose i.e. what matters to you more than money. Then going after it!

That equates to adopting a “minimalist” existence, where/when necessary, in order to achieve what’s important to you.

I understand some call it being “Zen”.

Whatever name we give it, the reality is that all over the world, the global economic crisis is TEACHING more of us that it’s the wise way to live.

Those brought up in developed societies with the “Get it now and pay later!” mentality, are now adopting more prudent lifestyles. Couples are opting to share one vehicle to cut down on gas. More nature friendly ways of living are being adopted to save on power bills.

People are (wisely) giving up owning stuff, and sticking with the most essential… :-)))

Even more interestingly, many are relocating to Asia, and even Africa, to live – and work – more conservatively.

So, when you say you lack money to pursue your goals, have you considered making similar changes in your life?

This is about coming up with practical ideas about living smarter; to better pursue your goals.

But What If After Checking, You Find You Still Have No (or Not Enough) Money?

If that happens, first get this thought imprinted in your mind…now: YOU alone determine what stops you!

“Lack of money” has happened to some of the greatest people ever to walk the earth.

You’ve most likely heard or read their stories (If you haven’t, start with Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich”).

How did those great people overcome that potentially crippling obstacle?

The quote below, from Jim Rohn, offers an answer:

“Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.” – Jim Rohn

In other words, they each settled on a goal they were passionate about achieving: People with "empty hearts" would not have been able to do that!

Those great people then did plenty of real world relevant “thinking” about how to get money (and ultimately “grow rich”) by solving other people’s problems: People with "empty heads" would not even make the effort!

NOTE THIS: They often did not get results overnight. Instead, when success delayed, they persisted – with unflinching faith.

Many authentically successful people have confirmed the above process is what it (i.e. achieving success when you lack money) all boils down to.

If you think adopting it would a waste of your time, then authentic success might just elude you – because you’ll most likely succumb to cutting corners, when success delays in coming.