I'm not trying to sound like "The Secret", but...

[fabulousfrock]

I want to talk a bit about the ever popular subject of money. Specifically, something that irks me. The idea that writers can't make a living. Periodically a blog post or something comes along about how poor writers are and gets everybody depressed

Comments

[sbennettwealer]

I make my living as a writer. I don't (yet) make my living as an author. My advance contributed nicely to my savings, but with two kids, a mortgage and a spouse out of work due to this crap economy, it's not the best time to put all my eggs into the author basket. But, like I said, I write for a living. That, in itself, is a wonderful thing. People definitely can make good money as writers - sometimes you just have to be willing to write about toothpaste and dog food to make ends meet, and then do the 'glamorous' novel writing at night when the kids are in bed.

But here's a little secret: toothpaste and dog food can actually be fun!

[fabulousfrock]

I can imagine a job like that could be pretty fun. At least, I like a lot of different kinds of writing, even some of the less glamorous ones. Which could maybe be evidenced by the fact that I used to write things like fake advertisements and fake telephone books as a kid...

[sheela_chari]

I really enjoyed this post - it's so inspirational and brave.

I have to say that sometimes I am filled with some amount of wistfulness when I wish I could have more time to dedicate to all of it : writing, marketing, networking, etc but can't due to the constrainsts I feel as a stay-at-home mom. It's a job, too, and I bear the responsiblity of being w/my kids. I wouldn't have it any other way...I love them and I want to be there for them...but there are times when I feel kind of like Cinderella who gets to go to the ball only when all the chores are done (as dictated by her capricious and heavy-hearted step family).

I still dream big in my own way, but I think of it more like quiet, sustained, having-a-lot-of-patience, dreaming. I do think it's a matter
of picturing what you want and moving along that trajectory without
doubting yourself.

[fabulousfrock]

I would imagine that balancing writing with having children is especially difficult, because obviously a job doesn't come from you and need you the same way that children do. But it's good that you're with your kids, and they're little right now! They won't always be, but I was very thankful to have a loving stay at home mom myself, and of course it was easier for her to take on more things as we got older. There will always be a place at the ball whenever you manage to drop by. =)

[karenkincy]

I'm planning on going for a day job out of college, just to be on the safe side. Also, I've heard that for some writers, the day job can actually be a welcome relief from the pressure of writing all day or relying on writing as your sole source of income. We'll see!

Thanks for your thoughts. :)

[ex_kaz_maho]

Great post! For the last *mumble*several*muble* years I've been in jobs that would be easy to walk away from & fairly easy to pick up again. I am not a Career Woman. I am a a Regular Job Woman who has always thought that staying flexible in my day job will benefit me when I finally start making money from writing.

Whatever the size of my first book deal, I fully intend to give up the day job once I actually *get* the cash. I will live off it for a few months and write as much as I can, then get another day job if I have to. :)

[crissachappell]

I like teaching because it gives me time to write. Also...I get to spy on people. ;)