Can You Really Make a Living from Writing?

This is a question that lovers of the pen ask all of the time. For many writers, being able to express themselves using the written word is as necessary as breathing. I sincerely believe that all knowledge and experience is meant to be shared and writing is an effective outlet for doing so. But, how can we take what we love to do and get paid to do it?

Let me say first of all that the most consistent piece of advice I have ever heard about making a living from writing is: Don't quit your day job. And if you don't have one, then get one. If possible, choose a profession that will feed your writing. Non-fiction writers probably have an easier time achieving this scenario because their education and careers are their platforms. They write about their areas of expertise. A fiction writer, however, may draw inspiration in more indirect ways. Consider a defense attorney who is a budding children's writer. She might coach a little league team, be a scout den mother, or volunteer at her children's school. Maybe the stories she writes have underlying lessons about the importance of making good decisions and deciding to do the right thing in the face of adversity. The key is to use everyday life experiences to generate story ideas.

Once you can pay your bills, diversify your sources of income using your writing skills. If you have a great eye for detail, consider freelance editing, proofreading, or copy editing. Contribute to other blog sites by selling web content. Consider self-publishing an e-book on subjects related to your author platform. (For example, a romance writer might write a niche book on dating after divorce or the loss of a spouse.) Most importantly continue to work on your own projects. All of your side jobs will build your author platform, but eventually you will have to produce a finished manuscript for publication to somebody.

Who knows? You might become the next big thing in the publishing world. But until that time arrives, resist the urge to place all of your eggs in one basket. Create a balanced plan, be consistent, be patient, and keep writing!

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

Writer's Tip of the Week!

"You must keep sending work out; you must never let a manuscript do nothing but eat its head off in a drawer. You send that work out again and again, while you're working on another one. If you have talent, you will receive some measure of success - but only if you persist."
~Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992)~

Authors recognize that rejection and waiting for rejection are necessary evils of the publishing game. It is all about numbers. Traditional publishers approach your literary masterpieces like an investment. Is this a marketable book? Will it sell? How involved will the author be in promotion? You may improve your odds of being published by sending your work to multiple publishers and agents. While your work may not be right for one, doesn't mean that it won't be for another.

Self-publishing is a process that eliminates the scrutiny and wait time. However, the author must be willing to invest at least as much time (and money) in marketing and promoting as it took to write the book. While I am exploring a variety of publishing methods, submitting my work, and experimenting with marketing techniques, it is important to keep writing. It certainly takes the focus away from worry and self-doubt while maintaining confidence and motivation. Staying focused and being persistent will pay off in the end.

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

Why I Write

As we await the arrival of my big brother's first child, I am reminded of the day I became a mother. That moment was the beginning of a new phase of my life. I haven't been the same since. It was much easier to document that day and the days that followed with a camera rather than a journal. (Those pictures are worth thousands of words.) Newborns certainly keep your hands full. As a mother, I look at life through different lenses. I attribute much of that new perspective to the wisdom of my loved ones-- and some really good books.

There is a certain responsibility that comes with the written word. It should serve to enlighten, inspire, inform, and improve all who choose to read it. What is written should invoke thought and start conversations. Used properly, words have the power to uplift one's spirit and spur creativity. Words can certainly change the way the world is viewed.

I write out of a desire to share what I have been blessed to learn. I write to explore new territory. I write because I am inspired by my daughter's curiosity and love of reading. Writing makes me a better listener and teaches me to be patient. I write because I read and I read because I write. My hope is that what I put on paper will solve a problem or improve quality of life--including my own.

If the world is made up of givers and takers, then I am a giver for sure. For me, writing is another way to help others live better lives. This is why I write.

Keep your pen to the paper! Inspiration is everywhere...