Do you thrive on a certain amount of uncertainty in your life? I don’t mean wondering if something bad’s gonna happen, just wondering what’s next, what’s around that upcoming corner of life.
As a writer with a day job, I have the same dream as many of my fellow authors - leaving the day job to write full time. Then I wonder how I’m going to do it. What’s going to come along to allow me to stay home and write? Will the right person stumble upon my name at the right time, happen to be some big-time book critic and boost me to stardom? Will I walk into the office one day and someone hand me a fat check with my share of employee profits because they sold the company? Will I win the lottery and settle down in my personalized home-office to pound out the next brilliant story in my head?
Where am I going? How am I going to get there? Whatever or wherever it is, I KNOW IT’S GOING TO BE GOOD and I can’t wait to see where the journey ends…so I can start a new journey!
I think we all have big dreams and I’m optimistic enough, regardless of how stressed out I am right now with the day job, to know I’ll get there.
Where are you going? What do you want? Even if you think it’s too big of a dream or too outlandish, I’d love to hear about it.
I hope your dream comes true, TJ, and that you get the chance to write full time.
It’s strange, but living one of my dreams led me to writing full time. I decided in June 2002 that I wanted to take a year off work.
Now my hubby was a PhD student at the time and I worked in retail management, but by March 2004 I was ready. We don’t have a house or a car and we saved all our money for this.
That March, I put in my notice at work to take a leave of absence. The following Sunday, I got a tentative acceptance from EC for Annabelle Lee. I wrote steadily until I went back to work in February 2005, but a few months later, I took the plunge and left for good.
So far, so good. And no matter what happens in the future, I don’t regret taking this time to write full time. The day job will always be there waiting for me.
by NJ Walters March 8th, 2007 at 1:07 pmWow, NJ! I had no idea that you had such a cool and uplifting story. It’s encouraging to me that someone took the plunge and dind’t drown. I must admit, the day job is eating me alive. I hate it and know there’s something better waiting for me.
After reading your story, it just encourages me to get ready, save some money, prepare to take the plunge, and swim, damn it!
by TJ Michaels March 8th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
by Ciar Cullen March 8th, 2007 at 2:48 pmI’m in an unusual situation perhaps. I’m going to be 50, and I have a great job. I would like to write full time, but I’m so far from that it’s not funny. So it takes the pressure off writing in a way. I hope to retire early–that’s my plan. In the meantime, this is an awesome “second job”/avocation. Would I love to do it full-time? Hell yes. But it’s all good for now.
I wrote for twenty-five years through kids, jobs, school, jobs, kids, grandkids, jobs… and never did a thing with it. Three years ago my husband was transfered to a new city and we left kids and my job behind. It turns out that I qualified for a small retirement check that allowed me to stay home and write full time. Currently I have one book contracted with CP and two with EC, plus another in for consideration. And nearly done with the current WIP. All since November 2006.
I don’t regret the time spent on kids, jobs, kids, jobs, but know that I could not have accomplished what I have back when I had those commitments. I really admire those writers that do.
by anny cook March 8th, 2007 at 2:51 pmI’m lucky in that, my DH makes enough that I’ve been able to stay home and write full-time. I can’t imagine trying to hold down a full-time job and still have the energy and determination to come home and write, though I know many authors that do.
For me, staying home and writing is THE dream career for me. And if at some point, I had to return to the day job again, I’d make it work. Being a writer is who I am, not just what I do.
And I’d love to travel around the world too
by Bonnie Rose Leigh March 8th, 2007 at 2:51 pm~Bonnie
I was a single mom, with three boys, recently divorced and ending up on welfare. I worked nights, was full time Mom during the day, and vaguely remembered what a good night sleep was like.
by Lorie O'Clare March 8th, 2007 at 3:00 pmIn October 2003 I released my first book with EC. By February 2004 I put in notice to my night job. I’ve been a full time writer ever since. And I’m the only income coming into our home. Last year I bought my very first home, and we have a new van.
There is no job security. The boys have health insurance but I don’t. And the only retirement plan is one that I created down at the bank. But when you think about it, how many jobs out there do have job security?
I don’t know how long this will last, but I’m loving every minute of it while it does last. I owe it all to EC, and I’m not some huge, rich and famous writer. I am a writer–it’s in my blood–and I’ll continue to write no matter the circumstances. So it can be done!
Loved the optimism, and the post! Well done and don’t ever let go of your dreams. I am willing to bet you though, someday you will let go of your day job!
Lorie O’Clare
I’ll just say I’m in my fifties. LOL Once some of our children (we were blessed with 6) left home for college, I could devote time to my writing but I kept getting rejection letters. I told a friend, Dianne Castell, that I was going to quit trying. She encouraged me to submit to a new publisher, Samhain. The rest you know. I have 3 books with Samhain and sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe my dream of being a published author came true. I’m fortunate that my husband is supportive.
You’re talented, TJ, I’m sure sometime you’ll be able to quit your day job!
by Diane Craver March 8th, 2007 at 3:06 pmI’m doing it full time, but I’m not making enough money at it to be doing it full time. I’m blessed with a supportive other half and a sick desire to scrape by.
Hang in there. If you keep working and selling you will make it. I believe that with enough of a fan base and backlist a good author can do it full time. No, you’re not going to be rich, but we don’t do this to be rich.
by Nancy Lindquist-Liedel March 8th, 2007 at 3:19 pmYou can quit the day job when you don’t need health insurance and have enough income coming in to cover expenses. I need insurance and an income bigger than my current writing income.
Still, it is a nice dream and I hope to be able to say different in a few years.
by Janet Miller / Cricket Starr March 8th, 2007 at 4:00 pmI dream big…huge…major…and the universe gives it back to me in manageable portions. So I get there one step at a time, which is what the journey is all about. The steps are what are important, not the finish line. When you reach the finish line, you’re done. I’m not nearly ready to be done. But dream wildly, madly, deeply, there is a joy in the anticipation. Gia
by Gia Dawn March 8th, 2007 at 4:07 pmI’m in awe of your story, Lorie. To be able to support your family as a writer is something I would love to be able to do one day.
I was fortunate that when I decided to get serious about writing, I only had a part time job because my kids are still young. I didn’t want to work full time. After a year of writing and submitting and finally getting a contract, I decided if I ever wanted to make a go of this, I had to give it my all, so last October with my husband’s blessing, I quite the part time job [where I do still work - long story]. Anyway, I’ve battled with uncertainty and guilt about not getting out there and earning a steady paycheck, but this is my dream and I’m actually living it. I’m managed this long and I have no intention of giving up on it.
by Jennifer Colgan March 8th, 2007 at 4:12 pmI’m with you TJ. The journey to me is fascinating, full of hope, anticipation and excitement. I quit my job 5 yrs ago with the expectation of selling my first novel to Harlequin and never looking back. hahaha I wrote several novels that first year, received a TON of rejections, and learned a ton. The next year I got pregnant with my first child. I kept writing, and before my first was born I discovered epublishing. Since then, I’ve published over a dozen books (both ebook and print) and continue to pursue my dream of becoming a NYTimes bestseller. Since I now have two little ones at home, I type during naps and late at night. And because I want it so very badly, and refuse to let the word “no” stop me, eventually, I’ll hit that bestseller list.
by Marie Harte March 8th, 2007 at 4:13 pm:) Marie Harte
WOW! YOU GUYS ARE ALL AWESOME! Okay, I’m running to get the blasted tissue because ya’ll are so supportive! Actually, maybe my boss will walk in while I’m bawling and send me home! :D
BTW - I’m in the single parent club along with some of you. It’s tough but I actually think my kids keep me sane!
by TJ Michaels March 8th, 2007 at 4:22 pmYo, Ciar,
When I was traveling with work last week, I was in your neck of the woods at Bristol Myers Squibb teaching a techy class. If I’d been thinking I’d have sent you a note and we could have had lunch or something. Darn it!
by TJ Michaels March 8th, 2007 at 4:24 pmPlease don’t hate me, but I have left the day job. 12-14 hr days just aren’t my thing. Yes, insurance even for a single person is very high, but it’s worth it to finally feel and work like a writer.
Your dream will come true–maybe when you least expect it.
by Marie-Nicole Ryan March 8th, 2007 at 4:28 pmI hear ya, TJ. I really hate my day job too, but I need it for the insurance and to pay bills. I manage by reminding myself that the job is supporting the writing until the writing can support me. I’m also looking forward to taking early retirement in a few years and writing full-time.
It’s all part of the journey. It will happen at the right time…for you, for me, for all of us. Until then, I think the writing helps me stay sane
by Natasha Moore March 8th, 2007 at 4:45 pmNow, Marie-Nicole, girl, you know we don’t hate ya. I personally look forward to doing what I love. I’m glad we’re talking about this because I know if ya’ll can do it, those of us who haven’t managed to write full-time will get there.
Thanks for sharing!
by TJ Michaels March 8th, 2007 at 5:15 pmThe job is supporting my writing until my writing can support me…IS MY NEW MANTRA! *wink*
by TJ Michaels March 8th, 2007 at 5:16 pmJC, off to find a martini and a village to plunder
by JC Wilder March 8th, 2007 at 5:56 pmVillage to plunder? Can you start with mine, then I can defect from the job and come over to your side!
by TJ Michaels March 8th, 2007 at 6:16 pmI’ve dreamed of being an author since I was kid, so to me, I’ve reached my dream.
On the same hand, I want to keep pushing this. I want to go as far as I can.
And TJ, you’ll do it. I have faith. I have faith in us all.
Lorie, I’m in awe of you.
by Rene Lyons March 8th, 2007 at 6:36 pmI’m a stay at home mom to three kids, two are not in school just yet. I write at night after they’re asleep.
I sold my first book to EC in late 2004 and it’s been a wild two plus years since, each month gets better, each year gets better as I build a backlist and hone my skills.
My dream last year was to sell at least one book to NY and right around thanksgiving I did. My dream this year is to sell two more.
All I can do is keep writing. I am living my dream right now. I’ll be able to write more during the day in a few more years when my youngest gets into school, this fall my middle kiddo will be in school so every year I get closer to my goal of writing full time.
I’m fortunate - my husband has a great job with excellent benefits for me and our children. I can make the choice to be at home and ain’t no job in a law firm or non-profit can compare to being with my kids and I’m glad we can afford, just barely, to make that choice.
You’ll do it TJ, because that’s who you are.
by Lauren March 8th, 2007 at 7:42 pmI still have the soul-sucking day job. But I feel that it helps if I suffer greatly for my art. Yeah yeah, right. That’s a big fat lie. I live for nights and weekends when I become Jenna the writer instead of Jenn the slave to the man.
by Jenn March 8th, 2007 at 8:53 pmOne day, I’ll win the powerball and run out of that place so fast they’ll barely see me holding up the double eagle birdie. I guess I’ll have to stop out front and do the boogy dance and moon them huh? *winks*
I don’t consider myself a writer, but I have often thought that if I could discipline myself enough, I could become one.
But my life is full of uncertainties now, which is why I decided to reply. My husband of 28 years moved out last July 4 to move in with another woman whom he had been having an affair. I was devastated, and am still recovering, but am just about to the point that I’m thinking about dating again.
I am 50, and the “kids” are 25 and 22 in a couple of months - the younger one graduating from college, and the older one with 2 years to go, as it took him a while to find his path in life. I’m scared to death of dating! I’m overweight and it really did a number on my self-confidence as a person, woman, wife, and lover when my husband left me.
I’ve not worked outside my home since before I had my first child; I was very fortunate in that respect for many, many years. But April 30 is my spousal support hearing (PA doesn’t have any such thing as a legal separation, so that’s what I officially need to do until we are divorced and I get alimony). I have no clue how much I will have to live on, though with my work history, age, length of marriage, and health (I’ve had 7 episodes of major depression in the past 30 years, some years long, plus arthritis in my hands, knees, and hips, plus a partially herniated disc in my back, plus high blood pressure), my lawyer says I am a candidate for “permanent” alimony.
But I can’t stay in this big house, so I’ll be moving, once this house is sold. I don’t know where, or what I will be able to afford. I don’t know if I’ll have to find some kind of job to make ends meet. I am worried about health insurance once COBRA coverage runs out, with so many pre-existing conditions.
What my dream is: to have a HEA. I want what I thought I had. A man to love me for who and what I am. A partner on life’s travels (literally and figuratively). Someone to share the good times and bad, just like in the vows. Someone to share the day’s events or non-events with. A sex partner, but more importantly someone to go to sleep next to that I know will be there when I wake up.
I am working on how to fulfill my dreams. I am doing my best to meet people (male and female) with similar interests, and I am searching within myself to find what is most important to me: who and what I need and/or want in my life. And from there try to figure out how to get it. Maybe it will involve writing in some way. I did technical writing before I was married, and am an excellent researcher. I need to learn to not belittle the gifts and talents I do have, and to make the most of each day.
Right now, I feel like there are almost no certainties in my life, so what I do is take each day, sometimes each hour or minute and do what I have to do to get through it. And really, that’s what most of us do. Thinking about all the uncertainties in your life and in the world all the time would make most folks crazy. And I’ve been close enough to that to do my best to not go there - or too close to “there” anyway.
Best of luck to all of you authors. Reading is something that helps me escape for pieces of the day and cope. Thanks to you for creating places for my mind to get away from all the uncertainties!
by Amy March 8th, 2007 at 11:21 pmAmy - Darlin, my thoughts and hopes go out to you. So many women find themselves in your place after giving their lives to their families - I wish mothering and being a wife were more appreciated and I’m so sorry you had to go through such devastation.
I hope you become comfortable enough to embrace your talents instead of belittling them and I hope you get that permanent alimony and sit your bottom down in a chair and write your own HEA and get it published.
Lauren
by Lauren March 9th, 2007 at 9:36 amMy son joined the Navy and leaves in 5 weeks. Coming from a non-military family, I have so much to learn to be the support my son needs these next few years. And then there is dealing with the added stress and worry, it truly is for me, one day at a time.
by cathy March 9th, 2007 at 10:25 amI’m living the dream, writing full time, but like several others I’m only able to do that because I have an incredibly supportive spouse with an excellent job that provides security. Like Lauren, I have three young children, the youngest two not yet in school. I write when I can, but I’m looking forward to having a little more free time to write when I want. Lauren is clearly a more prolific writer than I am, my backlist is growing slowly. But the fact that I have more than one book out there in the ether is a thrill beyond compare. The most unfortunate thing for me is that I have to keep my writing a secret from a lot of friends and acquaintances. The mask is coming off slowly, but due to the nature of what I write it’s probably always going to be on the down low.
Sam
by Samantha Kane March 9th, 2007 at 10:44 amAMY, woman, I feel you. My husband (I call him my ex but he never filed papers) sent me an e-mail and gave me two days notice he was moving…after giving me a kiss and telling me to have a nice day at work. Left me with all the bills right before his share of the rent was due. What joy *snark*
He now lives with his girlfriend who, in my book, is a kid considering she’s 13 years younger than me. So I know what a blow to the self-esteem feels like. But I must admit, it’s been great inspiration for some storylines in some of my books (Mwaahaha!)
But sweetpea, you have a great attitude - taking one day at a time is the way to go. And our HEA is coming, baby and we’ll both get to live our dreams.
Sending good vibes your way for that alimony hearing!
by TJ Michaels March 9th, 2007 at 11:14 amCathy,
Please pass on my personal thanks to your son for his service. I think alot of folks forget about the families of our servicemen and the support they give our young men and women.
Our military is full of bright folks who voluntarily go to bat for the rest of us, and I do thank your son. And thank you for standing behind him in his decision and encouraging him.
TJ
by TJ Michaels March 9th, 2007 at 11:18 amSam, you know what - I’d completely forgotten about the fact that many romantic fiction writers feel they have to keep their writing a secret.
I should probably care what my family and friends think, but after all I’ve been through on a personal level, those who’ve had a problem with it have been told in a very non-PC way to kiss my a$$.
My teens tell EVERYBODY I write hot romantic fiction. I do appreciate their support *tj cracking up as she remembers the looks on some of her kids friends parent’s faces* !!
Onward, ho!!
by TJ Michaels March 9th, 2007 at 11:23 am
I hope your dream comes true and you can write full time. I gave up dreaming a long time ago
by Patricia Kasner March 9th, 2007 at 3:04 pmI’ve been very lucky, writing full time for the last eighteen months. I’d worked at the same job for 10 years and was bored silly and ready for a change.
My husband and I talked about it and decided I’d try full time writing and see how things went. Sometimes I worry about money, but my husband is incredibly supportive and last night when we discussed this post he told me I didn’t need to go back to work, that I was close to making a breakthrough. His words, not mine. It humbles me that he has that much confidence in my writing. I only hope I can live up to it!
But if the worst happens, I figure I can always get a job at a later stage. My mother died in an accident when she was 42, and I know she had lots of things she wanted to do and didn’t get a chance to attempt. That has always made me very conscious of dreams and the necessity of striving for them no matter what the adversity. Her early death certainly shaped the way I think about things.
by Shelley March 9th, 2007 at 4:46 pmAw, Amy. My thoughts are with you.
Taking one day at a time is the best way to go. Celebrate each small success and know that you will get through this.
I’m sending more good vibes for your ailmony hearing!
by Shelley March 9th, 2007 at 4:52 pmSo many inspiring stories here! *sigh* I’m in the same boat with those whose day job pays the bills and covers the insurance.
My first book, with Liquid Silver, came out in December; my second was with Ellora’s Cave and released in February. Since then I’ve contracted two more with EC. I also have a Kensington Aphrodisia anthology due out in 2008. So the publishing dream is coming true but whether I’ll ever make enough to quit the day job, I don’t know.
The plan is to use the writing income equally on promo and debt reduction. I joke about my five year plan but in reality, I know it will probably take longer than that to be able to write full time. Between self-empolyment taxes and benefits, it would take significant sales to make the same take home pay as the day job. I wouldn’t mind being able to afford a part time job so I could write more.
Since I’m closer to 50 than I am to 40, my writing is part of my retirement plan. I just hope I can retire before my 60’s!
by Shayla Kersten March 10th, 2007 at 7:48 am