Survey on full-time writing (Vote, vote, vote)

I can see myself as a potentially fulltime career writer, but I also have other talents and skills I would want to keep cultivating professionally. In my opinion, they're all complimentary ambitions... I guess the better answer is I'd like to have designated, scheduled time to write every day, but probably could not physically write all day every day. Not unless I can find a portable, hands-free (reliable) typing device that I could dictate to while doing other things. That would be a game changer...

 

I think there are one or two categories left out of the survey.

I'll bet my current condition is not unusual on the forum: I am a commercially published author who doesn't make my living entirely from writing, but I'd like to.

 

For me, I am a part-time writer but I get paid in kind rather than money. Ideally, I'd like to become a full-time writer but the New Zealand market for full-time writers has all but collapsed so I doubt I would be able to make a career out of it any time soon.

 

Publishing is on its knees in Australia also, but I do think that opens up opportunities for independent authors...as long as they're good.

 

This was true of myself until I hit 40 Ban. Can't even begin to say what changed but, given the opportunity to make a living making things, and pulling from my childhood and imagination, I found the way to settle into balancing out the dreamer vs structure battle and will myself to carry on though on my own.

I'm still bad at making deadlines, self organizing etc but my customers are very understanding and when you are making custom items that they can't get made anywhere else, there tends to be a lot of leeway there. I imagine writing would be the same, should I be so fortunate one day. I've found a way to fit in two hours of it every day, first thing, before my "work day" begins. I've given up a lot to do what I do and don't miss any of it at all now. Not the social life, not the various periphery friends and outings. Maybe that was what changed. I've narrowed the have to's down to a select few and cut out all my social media, blogging, etc except that which pertains to what I love most to do. In the end, with less to distract, I don't find myself feeling near to as scattered as I once did. Once I may have defined the term social butterfly but I've come to enjoy our more monastic schedule and hermit-like existence. It feels settled to me. I can see writing fitting into that and being part of the fulfillment in it as well. I write best in silence and without any distractions.

 

I have too many other creative interests to devote myself full-time to any one of them.

 

I lack the temperament to be a full time professional author. Anymore, even writing on the side is a struggle. Still, I persist...

 

That's me in a nutshell.

 

I would love to write full time. Though it's going to be a long journey and hard work to get there.

 

You know me well enough that I will say hobby. It is who I am. I write for fun to get away from the day to day.

 

I am (hopefully) transitioning from part to full-time writing. I have been running even or in the black in ROI for a few months, it’s (hopefully) a matter of getting the next book out along with audiobooks in order to scale up the advertising and income. I might shop the book after the one I’m finishing now to Trad, but I’m not patient with that sort of thing.

 

Nice to see another Kiwi on the forum! I haven't managed to make the publishing scene yet, but I have got the feeling that there isn't a whole lot going on in the market here at the moment.

For me, I would love to have writing as a side job, partially because I'm realistic about my ability to write enough to support myself that way, but also because I take a lot of inspiration from the other things I do day to day, and I think that helps my writing.

 

Ruru - We'd better be careful. If we find one more Kiwi here we'll probably form a committee. As Jesus said, "Where three or more Kiwis gather, they shall form a committee."

 

Miles Lacey - That is very true. We do love to form committees