Nicola Morgan has written a great post here about my situation in particular, but also in general about the life of the struggling author.
In attempt to wrap it all up, I'd say that money was the biggest killer for me. Writing gradually stopped being something I wanted to do after it became something I was trying to earn a living from. That's a simplistic view because there was other stuff going on, but I do think it was the main factor.
Also I think it's very tempting to imagine that your life would be wonderful if only you could spend all your time doing your hobby - particularly if your day job isn't making you happy. I was trying to be a mother, a writer and a full-time worker-in-an-office and I couldn't do it, so I thought I could remove one of those and then everything would be all right. I thought I needed more time alone, more time at home, less busy-busy stress. I've since realised that I rather thrive on getting out of the house and being busy. I was just in the wrong job.
And for me, for now, writing is something that ought to be a hobby and nothing more. I do suspect that most artistic endeavours suffer from having to provide an income, but I know many writers who are full time and happy that way, so I won't push that one.
Right. My new job - which I rather love - involves a lot of late nights at my computer, so I'd better get back to it.
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5 comments:
'My new job - which I rather love' - nuff said. So pleased for you!
'a lot of late nights at my computer' - with a web cam?
That's really interesting. I wouldn't cook for money; my Paramour wouldn't play music for money. I enjoy getting paid when I sell a short story, but it's a bit like a friend bringing a nice bottle of wine when they come round for dinner: very pleasant, and very welcome, but not the reason I do the cooking (writing) in the first place. Most of what I enjoy about selling a short story is the validation, the confirmation that my writing has reached a saleable level of skill.
Absolutely Queenie. And when writers go full time, it's rarely because they want money or riches. The writing is the priority, not the money.
But as soon as the writing becomes responsible for putting bread on the table, no matter what reason you found yourself in that situation, then your relationship with the writing changes significantly. And I'd argue that for most people, that change in relationship is a negative one.
aka k...
[shudder]
Thankfully not!
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