Writer/Whatever

Even bestselling authors have a side job.

Some, like showcased in the link above, open up cute little antique boutiques. Some decide to teach English or become professors. Some, like Harper Lee, publish one masterpiece and then stop writing. 

What does this have to do with me, you ask?

Well, let's just put it out there, I am not choosing to write for the money. That's stupid. Who would WANT this lifestyle by choice? I feel like as hard and lofty as my goals may seem, I have no choice. I know what I love and what makes me happy. There is no choice about what I am going to do . . .there's just the choice in HOW I am going to do it.

I need a steady income; I have rent and bills to pay. I haven't had a full-time job since August. After my mom passed away, I decided to give myself some much needed time and did so by walking away from an epically shitty and demanding job (buy me a drink and I'll tell you all about it) that I should have left a long time ago. I took this break with the vague notion that eventually I'd have to "get back on the horse" and find another job, hopefully less shitty on the shitty job spectrum.

I've always had my foot in the door of web content writing. I've published articles off and on since early 2008, but I've never made enough money in one month to even cover filling my gas tank. Sad, but true. I knew that I'd have to find a job to supplement my income while I worked on writing. The problem remains, what kind of job? 

I know the baseline income I need to make each month. I know that sitting in front of a computer in an office is not something I enjoy or am particularly good at. I know that I love working with people and helping others. I know that I like autonomy and responsibility. I love working in a positive work environment with people that feel like family.

I get a little touchy when people question my plans and ask me about money. It isn't like I am clueless and naive. I've done my research (I'm a trained librarian . . .) and I know this road is not easy. As I've said before, I really have no choice.

Right now I am continuing to focus efforts on writing and getting my name out there. I am also focused on finding a part-time or full-time position that can supplement and support my writing. I'd love to teach adults, but right now is not the time for me to go back to school for another degree. 

Whatever happens, I can go to sleep at night knowing that I've tried my best. Just because I am not able to make a living by my pen at present does not mean that I will never make a living by my pen. It just means that I need to revise a little.

I leave you with an inspirational quote from my mom: "Fake it 'til you make it, girlfriend."