Writing full-time or part-time
By Flight84
@Flight84 (3048)
United States
June 3, 2007 8:35am CST
I want to eventually be able to write full-time but I honestly don't expect that for several years. How many of you write full-time? What are your struggles and triumphs as a full-time writer? How many write part-time and do you want to become full-time writers eventually?
4 responses
@explorations (1712)
• United States
7 Jun 07
I was a full-time writer from 1999 until 2004. I ha to take a "hiatus" for health reasons, so it feels like I'm starting from scratch now that I've re-entered the industry on a part-time basis. Working my way up to a full-time career was very intensive, it took a lot of hours and I learned that rejection was as common as breathing in and out.
In order to keep the workflow steady, I kept a minimun of ten queries out per day. I have several blogs and newsletters with writing opportunities delivered to my inbox, so I don't have to spend a lot of time searching for work. I spend about one hour per day writing query letters and getting them out.
Reading has been one of the biggest "helpers" in my career efforts. I've managed to collect enough books about the business to be able to teach year long courses. My favorites include Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer by Jenna Glatzer and The Renegade Writer by Linda Formichelli and Diane Burrell.
I hope this helps!
@explorations (1712)
• United States
13 Feb 09
You don't sound stupid at all! :-) The learning process for writing query letters is quite lengthy, and too much information to include in a comment here. There's literally thousands of articles on the Internet about how to write query letters (type "how to write a query letter that sells" into any search engine), as well as classes and forums (absolutewrite.com is a good place to start) teaching how to do this. Good luck!
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
13 Feb 09
Hi explorations, please elaborate on "query letter". Do you mean helping others write lette to query something and earn from there? I'm sorry to sound so stupid. Honestly have no idea about writing full time and ways to make money from writing
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
4 Jun 07
I was a full time writer when we could afford it...writing doesn't pay a whole lot unless you are Danielle Steel or the like...i did like writing full time but didn't make a whole lot of money...
now i am working p/t and while i did have a writing gig, i just find i don't have a whole lot of time anymore to do much else...i do get a creative release from mylot, but most of the writing gigs that are out there these days require 5-10 posts per week and i just don't have that kind of time.
@Flight84 (3048)
• United States
5 Jun 07
I would like to be a Danielle Steel one day but I don't see it happening.=) I have a lot going on in my life too with building a new house and getting ready to move. I know I will probably only be able to be part-time for a while and I will always have to have another income. Thanks for sharing with me!
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
2 Jul 09
Hello Flight. I don't think that I am a writer though I do some posts here at myLot. I think that a good writer needs to be knowledgeable, creative, imaginative, productive and so on. It is hard for me to reach that level though. But to do some writing is a good thing as it trains our mind without letting it get rusty. I wish you to enjoy your writing job, my dear friend.
@ritwikghoshal (405)
• India
3 Jun 07
as i am an engineering student and i have lots of pressure in my college so it's not possible for me to write full time..i usually spend my leisure times by writing over here..
