Real talk here. I have been ruminating over a major case of FTWLE (full-time-writer-life envy). I have a friend who became an agented writer a couple years ago and is a full-time writer. They tell me about all the amazing projects they're working (at once!), from new story ideas across fiction and non-fiction, adult and YA, different genres, edits on their book due for release later this year, and on. I think either their partner is winning the many bread slices to keep them indoors, warm, and fed. I tell my husband at least three or four times per day that he needs to take up the financial mantle so I can retire and just write. However comma ... all that Kate wrote in this post. As much as I whine about the "day job", it affords me the space to write, pay (some) bills, put food on the table for humans and beasties alike in this place, and buy the occasional boost pack on my video game(s). But a girl can dream ...
7 (1/2) books and i’ve been full-time for the last 3 (1/2)…. And I am so ready to be back in the world! I’ve worked for myself for 20 years. Wearing all the hats and creating my own income streams is my usual m.o. so doing that as an author wasn’t difficult. But there’s this weird tension of having a “boss” (the publishing house) who isn’t really your boss, and a team (the publishing and marketing teams) who are lovely but exclude you from most decisions and never ask you out to lunch. You’re in… but you’re out. It’s quite lonely. I keep an assistant, not because I need one, but because I want someone to bounce ideas off (and because I hate social media🤣🤷🏻♀️).
Reading the comments here has been so affirming. I got the dream & what I thought I wanted…. Now, with a little more insight into both myself and the job, I’m ready to tweak my order. The next version will have a bit more human interaction.
I’ve thought about this a lot (I know we all have) and I’ve determined that I want my work to be something that makes me feel like I’m making a difference in the world, pays me well, and provides health insurance—and also gives me time and space to write. This year that is my goal. Where I work is toxic with a capital T and that has adversely impacted my writing.
Thank you, Kate for the reminder to stop myself from Jerry McGuire-ing my life so I can write full time!
Also, thank you to the commenters for reminding me that I need to be happy at what I do if I’m going to be able to write.
Don't forget that all of this is multiplied if you're self-published. If you don't have an agent and publishing house, in short, a team around you and your book, you're doing everything yourself: research, writing, finding an editor and cover designer, formatting, publishing, marketing, and keeping up social media—all while trying to write your next book.
100% agree with this and that’s why I went back to work 3 months ago after 5 years as a full-time writer. Best decision I made for both my creativity and my mental health.
Love your tough love. All of it is sadly and unavoidable true. It's important for part-time writers to realize that full-time writers suffer in a totally different way. Thanks for sharing!
I work as a freelance writer (full time) and make a monthly wage that I’m happy with. But it’s not super creative (think content/SEO writing). I’m giving Substack a try to unleash my creativity and can see why being a full-time writer could be the worst job ever. Haha.
I have been thinking about this a lot lately, because I’ve always wanted to be a full time writer. But then I put pressure on myself to write to make money and suddenly it becomes an obligation. I want to keep writing as my hobby, my love, my passion. And sometimes when you HAVE to do something, it takes the fun away. I don’t want that. So I definitely think getting a job will be very beneficial for me. Thank you for your take on this, it was really helpful for figuring out my own goals!
There are talented artists who are overlooked by the world just as there are dogs who starve to death. The demons win sometimes. But this fight is worth every tear. I have a dream catcher over my bed. Decades pass. Again and again my courage fails. But I get up. I find my flow and I keep writing. This process is a forge and I am a stronger writer for each humiliating rejection. I will never submit.
Amen.
Real talk here. I have been ruminating over a major case of FTWLE (full-time-writer-life envy). I have a friend who became an agented writer a couple years ago and is a full-time writer. They tell me about all the amazing projects they're working (at once!), from new story ideas across fiction and non-fiction, adult and YA, different genres, edits on their book due for release later this year, and on. I think either their partner is winning the many bread slices to keep them indoors, warm, and fed. I tell my husband at least three or four times per day that he needs to take up the financial mantle so I can retire and just write. However comma ... all that Kate wrote in this post. As much as I whine about the "day job", it affords me the space to write, pay (some) bills, put food on the table for humans and beasties alike in this place, and buy the occasional boost pack on my video game(s). But a girl can dream ...
Thanks, Kate!
Say it isn't so 😮 I love it too much to give it up 🙌🤗
Thanks for this one, Kate.
7 (1/2) books and i’ve been full-time for the last 3 (1/2)…. And I am so ready to be back in the world! I’ve worked for myself for 20 years. Wearing all the hats and creating my own income streams is my usual m.o. so doing that as an author wasn’t difficult. But there’s this weird tension of having a “boss” (the publishing house) who isn’t really your boss, and a team (the publishing and marketing teams) who are lovely but exclude you from most decisions and never ask you out to lunch. You’re in… but you’re out. It’s quite lonely. I keep an assistant, not because I need one, but because I want someone to bounce ideas off (and because I hate social media🤣🤷🏻♀️).
Reading the comments here has been so affirming. I got the dream & what I thought I wanted…. Now, with a little more insight into both myself and the job, I’m ready to tweak my order. The next version will have a bit more human interaction.
This is great common sense advice. Thank you!!
I’ve thought about this a lot (I know we all have) and I’ve determined that I want my work to be something that makes me feel like I’m making a difference in the world, pays me well, and provides health insurance—and also gives me time and space to write. This year that is my goal. Where I work is toxic with a capital T and that has adversely impacted my writing.
Thank you, Kate for the reminder to stop myself from Jerry McGuire-ing my life so I can write full time!
Also, thank you to the commenters for reminding me that I need to be happy at what I do if I’m going to be able to write.
Super insightful!
Don't forget that all of this is multiplied if you're self-published. If you don't have an agent and publishing house, in short, a team around you and your book, you're doing everything yourself: research, writing, finding an editor and cover designer, formatting, publishing, marketing, and keeping up social media—all while trying to write your next book.
100% agree with this and that’s why I went back to work 3 months ago after 5 years as a full-time writer. Best decision I made for both my creativity and my mental health.
Being an indie author is even worse.
You need a full time job, to be retired, or to have a wealthy support system.
At minimum, put down like $5k in advance for editors, book cover artist, marketing plan, advertising, and to be on booklists.
Embarrass yourself by telling everyone you wrote a book.
Get your friends to beta read your book and have them highlight all the grammatical errors that the expensive editor didn’t catch.
Get everyone else to buy your book.
Social media promote your book and get like 50 views per post.
Put your book up on NetGalley for librarians to rip it to shreds (ily librarians but damn we are a harsh review bunch).
Finally publish your book to make a grand total of $300 in royalties.
Love your tough love. All of it is sadly and unavoidable true. It's important for part-time writers to realize that full-time writers suffer in a totally different way. Thanks for sharing!
earnestly reading and taking notes, nodding vigorously
I work as a freelance writer (full time) and make a monthly wage that I’m happy with. But it’s not super creative (think content/SEO writing). I’m giving Substack a try to unleash my creativity and can see why being a full-time writer could be the worst job ever. Haha.
I have been thinking about this a lot lately, because I’ve always wanted to be a full time writer. But then I put pressure on myself to write to make money and suddenly it becomes an obligation. I want to keep writing as my hobby, my love, my passion. And sometimes when you HAVE to do something, it takes the fun away. I don’t want that. So I definitely think getting a job will be very beneficial for me. Thank you for your take on this, it was really helpful for figuring out my own goals!
There are talented artists who are overlooked by the world just as there are dogs who starve to death. The demons win sometimes. But this fight is worth every tear. I have a dream catcher over my bed. Decades pass. Again and again my courage fails. But I get up. I find my flow and I keep writing. This process is a forge and I am a stronger writer for each humiliating rejection. I will never submit.
Sounds a lot like being a freelance anything.