No Longer a Full-time Writer

[cyn2write]

These past two weeks, I've been rushing around like crazy with the kids, trying to pack a summer's worth of fun into a few short days. We've been to the shore, to Dutch Wonderland, to a corn maze in Lancaster, to Knoebel's... etc, etc. That's because on Monday I will be starting a new job. This job is not at all YA-literature-related, which is what

Comments

[maggie_writes]

Thank you for writing this and for being so honest. I can relate. I'm a freelance writer and I work from home, and I'm close to losing my mind. Of course, working from home has its perks, but it can get a little boring and lonely (I know you have kids, but I'm single so it's just me all day long, all by myself. Alone.)

Even though I'm not published yet, I also worry about being able to make a living with my fiction. I already predict that I will be one of those "unlucky" ones even if I do get published. And I agree that writing is more fun when you're not obsessing over money.

Good luck at your new job! I'm very happy for you!

[cyn2write]

Thank you! I'm not saying I'm not going to miss hanging around until 11 in my PJs, but hopefully this will make me a little less insane. And very few people are really able to make a financial life for themselves solely on their writing. I was able to, but it's hard and scary because there's not guarantee that your next book, or the book after that, will sell.

[robinellen]

I completely understand this. I don't think I could be a full-time writer, either (not that it's an issue, at this point), and for many of the reasons you lists. I'm lucky enough to work from home, so even if I do get a bit of luck and end up published someday, I'll probably keep my other job going. Good luck, Cyn!

[cyn2write]

Thanks, Robin! I don't know, though, probably when I've been working a few weeks I'll wish I was a full-time writer again so I don't have to wake up at 5 am to get out the door. The grass is always greener... :)

[tezmilleroz]

Am happy for you, Cyn :-)

[cyn2write]

Thanks, Tez!

[jennygordon]

[cyn2write]

Thanks so much, Jenny! I suppose being a full-time author would be an awesome thing if I were Stephen King or independently wealthy and didn't have to worry about money. But then, I'd be able to go on trips and do other things to keep me engaged with the rest of the world, like you said. It's not fun being a full-time author when all you do in your spare time is clip coupons!

[robinbridges]

"It's the doing something different that sometimes helps keep us engaged with the rest of the world, and which feeds our creativity."

This. Hope your creativity will be well-fed!

[cyn2write]

I know!! And thank you!!