I agree with Kate. And I’d add that the “real job” may in fact be a combination of jobs, some writing adjacent, some not. Most writers I know teach (even if it’s not on a career track). I also book coach, edit, freelance; at times I’ve ghostwritten and been paid to write tv pilots; I’ve also received many grants over the years. Other wri…
I agree with Kate. And I’d add that the “real job” may in fact be a combination of jobs, some writing adjacent, some not. Most writers I know teach (even if it’s not on a career track). I also book coach, edit, freelance; at times I’ve ghostwritten and been paid to write tv pilots; I’ve also received many grants over the years. Other writers I know work pt or temporary jobs that have nothing to do with writing but allow them hours or entire seasons when they can write. I know authors who are fishermen, lawyers, outdoor guides. So none of this suggests that one can easily write full time, forever, and do nothing else. But if one gets lucky, there may be times when one does nothing else. It’s possible. (Also as Kate said: create a low cost lifestyle—that’s a big part.)
I agree with Kate. And I’d add that the “real job” may in fact be a combination of jobs, some writing adjacent, some not. Most writers I know teach (even if it’s not on a career track). I also book coach, edit, freelance; at times I’ve ghostwritten and been paid to write tv pilots; I’ve also received many grants over the years. Other writers I know work pt or temporary jobs that have nothing to do with writing but allow them hours or entire seasons when they can write. I know authors who are fishermen, lawyers, outdoor guides. So none of this suggests that one can easily write full time, forever, and do nothing else. But if one gets lucky, there may be times when one does nothing else. It’s possible. (Also as Kate said: create a low cost lifestyle—that’s a big part.)