Friday, May 30, 2014

Do Give Up The Day Job (but only when you're absolutely, completely, totally ready)


So... *deep breath*

Last week I made something of a decision. A rather big decision. A rather terrifying decision. What I did was hand in my notice at the day job.

Why?

Not because of a million pound deal. But because I realised I was on the verge of making a choice. Lately, you might have noticed I've been doing a lot more work with newspaper interviews and chairing authors on a more professional basis. I've been doing work behind the scenes, too, working on readers reports for small presses as well as various other gigs. I've also been writing my own novels.

And working the day job.

Which takes its toll, and sooner or later a decision had to be made. So I took the foolish one. Its terrifying but exciting. And it was definitely not taken lightly. I see the ugly side of freelancing, too. Living with the Literary Critic has opened my eyes to the reality of a writer's life. But still, I have a plan and I need to give it a shot.

Fact is, most writers don't make enough from writing to live on. I've known this for  long time, but I've also worked out that if you have a sellable skill set maybe, just maybe, you can start to make regular income from activities related to writing. Which is why you'll be seeing a lot more of me in the near future in newspapers and other places Which is why I'm pimping my chairing skill out to libraries and festivals. Which is why I'm doing other work for other people, all of which are related to the written word,

In other words I'm not relying on the genius of my muse or on one particular thing happening to sustain me. I'm relying on the fact that I have a skill and a facility with words and that I am willing to do a helluva lot of things with that facility.

So it begins:the adventure. I could fall flat on my face, but I'm doing everything in my power to stop that happened.

And I'm looking forward to the future.

8 comments:

Scott D. Parker said...

Big congrats to you! Bravo to you for taking the leap of faith. BTW, I agree with you regarding the skill vs. the muse. Writing is a skill which can be honed and marketed.

Steve Weddle said...

break a leg

Jay Stringer said...

Just remember to never go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line.

Jay Stringer said...

Also, try not to get involved in a land war in Asia

Kristi said...

Congratulations! Best of luck and can't wait to hear more about your adventures in this new day-job free life.

Dana King said...

Congratulations and best wishes for success beyond what any reasonable person should expect. I'd give some advice on how to achieve those things, but Stringer beat me to it.

Jerry House said...

Best wishes for a glorious future.

Russel said...

Thanks all - - I've been away all weekend to the land of Wales to pick up The Literary Critic from her month long residency at Gladstones. But cheers for the good words. And even the advice, Stringer...