I think my answer might surprise some people. It's actually a three part response and the first two are expected. The third might not be.
Here's my standard reply:
Read a lot. Write a lot.
And don't put all your eggs into the writing basket. Live a balanced life.
What? Really? That's it???
Yup.
Yes, there's a lot more to do than read and write. There's editing, revising, developing craft, blogging, social networking, marketing, live events, interviews, guest posts, blog tours, collecting reviews and every kind of crazy making.
If you let it. Don't let it.
Here's another truth: Most authors, even ones traditionally published, don't make their whole living off their writing.
MOST. That might be hard to believe if you go by all the fabulous writers we hear about all the time, making the NYT list, always on book tours and key speaking at conferences. But like many art disciplines, for example acting and music, 10% of the people make it big and the other 90% struggle and starve.
I'm not trying to discourage anyone. In fact, I'm trying to do the opposite. If you accept that you are part of the 90% and find other things in life that you enjoy and can make money at you will be happier. You will be more content. You will be more creative.
And if you happen to wake up one day and find you've somehow made it into the 10% crowd, then yahoo! Good for you. But at least you didn't waste years pinning away after something that you may not get. Instead you have years of creative productivity you can look back on with immense personal satisfaction.
You can say, "I did this." And it will be enough.
Great advice Elle. And I agree that it's best to be realistic about whether you can support yourself with writing. I am and am planning to keep on working at my day job.
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing with writing fiction, it can be hard to keep reality realistic! :)
DeleteYes it is true that it is hard to make it as a writer. It takes a lot of work and research into the business but there is also lots of options out there for writers now and writers for once can take control of their careers in a way that they couldn't before. Even though you may never be able to quit your day job you may certainly might have a nice side income which is always welcome.
ReplyDeleteI'd never turn a nice side income away :)
DeleteBalance is the key to everything, isn't it? I just need to get a handle on it. lol Thanks for the fabulous advice.
ReplyDeleteIt's advice I haven't mastered yet! Balance, where art thou?
DeleteIt's taken me awhile to figure this out, but I totally agree. Writing is important, but you shouldn't shut out everything else.
ReplyDeleteI'm still figuring it out, but I'm getting closer :)
DeleteLovely post! A great reminder to get out there and LIVE! (from little ol' hermit me) ;)
ReplyDeleteFrom one hermit to another-- LIVE real life!
DeleteExcellent. I shall take it to heart.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I have another use for the phrase "We Are The 99%!" (I know you said 90%, but this sounds better :))
You know, 99% might actually be more accurate. But that's kind of depressing :)
DeleteThis is beyond true! And exactly the kind of advice I wish I'd heard before I got published. In fact, it's something I still need to hear. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMe too. And I'm talking to my (deaf) self. :)
DeleteThis was so encouraging! So many talk about balancing writing and family, but not also adding paying work to the mix. I actually love my day job and think I'd dislike writing full time, but I do want to keep writing. I may never be fast, but I am much more a happy writer when I have some hours doing my day job well.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying your toil is a gift from God, along with eating and drinking1 :)
DeleteSo, Elle, you are giving people the truth. Seriously, I can't even name a single author - that I know personally - that doesn't do something else, the exception being SAHM/SAHD. And their job is keeping their sanity while caring for kiddos on a full time basis. Many writers are nurses, attorneys, customer service agents, students and more. And with persistence in following their dreams, they can add published author as a title.
ReplyDeleteSimple, to the point advice that we ALL need to keep in mind. Don't get me wrong, I love losing myself in writing and twittering, but going to work and kickboxing and hanging out with my friends is worthwhile, too. I feel so guilty sometimes when I'm doing anything that isn't writing. But if I spent all my time writing, I'd have nothing to write about.
ReplyDeleteGood advice!! Although I'm able to write full-time, I'm not pulling an income in off of it yet and even if I were, I wouldn't rely on it financially.
ReplyDelete