Growing up, I always wanted to be a writer. In my tender mind, I thought all writers lived in fabulous places, like oceanfront beach houses or in luxurious cabins in the mountains. So, all I had to do was write some books, sell them and I’d be living the high life, right?
Excuse me while I catch my breath. I think I started choking from laughing so hard.
No sooner did I step one inch into research about the publishing world, did I realize the average first advance is just slightly enough to put brakes on your car, pay off a few bills and go out for a nice steak dinner. Nothing to sneeze at, but not exactly buy-oceanfront-property-with-cash kind of money, either.
So, I still have a day job. Which, thankfully, allows me some free time to write (and blog!). And most days, I really enjoy it. It also helps that the nature of what I do—fundraising—provides more writing fodder than I’ll ever be able to use.
But then there’s days like today—days when my “To Do” list is a mile-long, my email box pings every five seconds and my phone will not shut up. And all I want to do is run away to the nearest Borders with my laptop and snuggle into some hardcore revisions on my newest WIP.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Maureen, I'm with you on the advance. Hopefully, next time we'll be able to quite our dayjobs and write to our little heart's content!
I didn't know writers have to have jobs! What do all the Novel Girls do for day jobs? Thanks Kerry
Interesting post, Maureen! I like that you say your job gives you plenty to write about, which is, I guess, one good thing about being a writer with a day job.
Maureen: I work from home, and I love it. My schedule is my own, PJs, sweats, etc., are my "work clothes," and well--it just plain rocks. BUT, yeah, if I need outside enlightement, I need to actually leave my cave every now and then...
I'm very jealous, Tracy! In my perfect world, I would work part-time in fundraising and write the rest of the time. There's just WAY too many great stories that come out of my day job to leave completely!
Also, I fear that I would abuse working from home and not venture outside for like a month and turn into Gollum from Lord of the Rings.
I think it's great when you find a job that leaves you with enough time and/or energy left over to create.
I know, for me, my boss is awesome enough to be thrilled for me every time something good happens in my 'other' job!
Post a Comment