Tobias Buckell posted an interesting post on Twitter.
The whole thread is great, and the take away is that many writers have kept their day job, while greatly contributing to literature. There is no shame in it.
Watch this interview starting at about 3:00 minute mark. The popular culture conditions us that this is what author success looks like. A giant house. A library of your books in 50 languages. The author playing a piano after a hard day of work.
There is a small problem with this scenario: none of this is about being a writer. It’s about fame and being an author. More than 99.99% of writers working today will never obtain Dan Brown’s level of fame, recognition, and wealth, me included. But we can obtain happiness and getting there sometimes means letting go of some things that are obvious markers of success.
Quitting the day job was a big one for me. I hated my day job. Well, no, I didn’t hate my day job, I actually loved it, but my boss created such a toxic environment that I felt suffocated. For example, after being reprimanded for the way he spoke to women, he decided to communicate with me purely by sticky notes. Not even a hello.
When I quit, I expected to have an 8 hour writing day every day. I would write all of the words. Instead my productivity went down. Previously I wrote for 2 hours a day, but I thought about what I was going to write through the day, so when time came to work, Gordon and I could just vomit it on the page. Now we had a lot more time which ended up consisting of opening the file and staring at the blank page.
We’ve now settled into the routine of writing in 2 sessions of 2-3 hours each. We typically write 1-2 scenes a day and we do not stress out if we don’t hit the mark. Stress kills productivity faster than anything else.
Working from home means you never have to put on pants. This gets old fast. I put on pants and brush my hair and brush teeth and make an effort to look nice. Being a slob has a negative effect on productivity.
Working from home means you can run errands whenever you want. Running errands has a negative effect on productivity.
Working from home means you never have to see other people. And you might as well just hang your career on a hook right there, because writing is all about people and if you don’t interact with human beings, you don’t get inspired and your writing will stagnate. Lack of inspiration has a negative effect on productivity.
Notice a trend here? Successful full time writers still do normal things: they make an effort to go to the gym, they run errands, and they write in bursts of productivity followed by rest, whether those bursts are daily or weekly or monthly. I am with Tobias. Working a full time job or a part-time job says zero about your success as a writer or an author.
The only true lasting happiness in this business comes from writing and enjoying the actual process of it.
Thank you so much for this! I quit my day job a few years ago to pursue photography but it hasn’t gone as well as I’d hoped, mostly because starting a freelance business on my own came exactly with the challenges you mentioned and it’s been a struggle trying to find that balance. I’ve considered going back to full-time work in the last month, but it feels like such a failure on my part, like I’m admitting I don’t have what it takes, regardless of what I actually accomplished during this time. Your post couldn’t have been more timely and it certainly gives me some serious food for thought — thanks again!
+7
Good God, who knew there was author shaming? It never would have occurred to me that anyone would consider themselves a failure for not being Dan Brown level or having another job. I always figured most of my favorite authors had day jobs on and off at some point in their writing careers. Some may never find themselves at a point where they can write full time, but as long as they enjoy both their jobs and can pay the bills, I say they’ve got a good life, so keep truckin’! And of course, writing.
Lovely insights; thank you.
+1 — always so interesting when you share what it’s like to be a full time author!
Thank you for posting this.
I want to leave the day job because of stress and wanting to disassociate with difficult people. If possible, I’d like to write full time. I know it’ll be hard and I’ll have to learn how to manage my time in a different way than how I manage at the office.
Seeing people is good advice, although I’d like to choose who I get to see, as in the barista is far nicer than an angry customer. But experience with both is good in the long run.
I still think it sucks that so many US authors need a day job purely for the health insurance.
Also, I think there is a certain level of writing beyond which an author should automatically be awarded a mansion and a personal assistant. And a pony. It kills me that there are well-beloved authors whose works are considered seminal in their fields who are still struggling financially. (Yes, I contribute to a Patreon or two.) It strikes me as a prominant instance of Things Not Working Like They Should.
Definitely needed this reminder today.
I’ve hired staff to take on the stressful things on my behalf, so I can do more of what I love most about the process: the writing. I’m one of the lucky ones, able to do this.
I’m adjusting basically everything about how I’m working this month on a working vacation (I can’t go without writing. I fall into depression and anxiety cycles; to me, writing is my escape on top of my career.) But I’m writing what I want because I love to write.
Not writing because I know I have a deadline.
I do skip the pants part as often as possible because I like leggings when I’m home and lounging. Or pajama bottoms.
But that’s also part of who I am. I’m not good at adulting, but I try.
I don’t want to go to a day job again, because mine slowly killed me inside.
I admire the fuck out of anyone who can do a soul-sucking day job and write for even ten minutes a day.
When I had a day job, I was lucky if I could get five in before the depression and anxiety did me in. If that. If that. If that.
I wrote on weekends only because that’s all I could do.
I still have the depression and anxiety, but… it’s so much better now.
Please delete if you feel this was too personal.
Many people find IA’s blog, and those of us who hang out here, to be a safe place to share personal stuff. Adulting is hard, and you deserve kudos for persevering. I’m glad you are at a point in your life/career where you can take the time to take care of yourself, your needs and wants. Many heartfelt wishes for success in working out the changes you want to make, and following through on them.
First, R.J., I adore everything you write, have purchased almost everything you’ve written, and it would make me super sad if you ever stopped writing. I’m working my way through your Witch & Wolf series now, having inhaled your “With a Body Count” and “Royal States” series. For what it’s worth, I want the next Serial Killer Princess book about as much as I want George’s story from IA. UF needs more humor and you’re good at it. Don’t stop, please.
Second, this whole thread is so interesting to me. I have always wanted to write fiction, but I spend all day writing law-type-stuff, which is more like interpretation than anything. I love my day job with the fire of a thousand suns, but sometimes feel like I only have so many words in me per day. I’m curious how people who have office jobs (and law jobs, more specifically) where they literally spend all day writing find time and words and energy to prioritize a personal passion project. I haven’t written regularly outside of work since college, so I think I’m not even sure where to begin.
I look forward to reading everyone else’s comments on this thread.
I’ll almost certainly like it. Even a couple of books I was dubious about were exactly what I like to read. I’m going to stop even trying to choose by the blurb – just buy the book. I know I’m going to like it if you wrote it.
Thank you for being yourself when you write. It’s hard to be different, I know, but you do it so well.
You don’t have to worry about not being a success at your writing. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it from the first book I’ve picked up. I especially love your attention to detail.
I think one of the reasons I love your work so much is that you create realistic characters as in they react in human ways to situations, with their own idiosyncrasies. I believe that stems from you being a “real” person. You seem like someone I would want to have a glass of tea with and laugh about the weird thing my kid’s cat did.
If you were a “rock star uber celebrity” who never had to clean up a kid’s throw up at 3am, I really don’t think I would identify with your characters as much.
Your writing is wonderfully engaging, and I love your work. Being able to laugh, cry, or curse with Kate or Dina has helped me through some horrible times in my life. I appreciate y’all more than I can express.
Basically, keep on doing what works for you and I will happily buy your work ?
All. Of. This.
In 2017 I received what I thought was the opportunity of a lifetime, a job working from home, doing book marketing for other authors about half time, leaving me free to devote the rest of my time to writing, which would ultimately allow me to produce enough, quickly enough, to raise my income and go full time writer.
Except none of that happened. The job was fine at first, but the person I was working for ended up in an extended court battle that adversely affected her business, and within nine months I was no longer making what was necessary to survive. At the same time, we adopted a rescue puppy with a LOT of issues we didn’t know about when we got her. She was a full time job in and of herself, every day, all day, for months and months. Basically, for the first year and a half of her life.
At the one year mark, I knew I had to bite the bullet and go get a regular full time job again. I felt like a complete and utter failure. I had produced nothing, and now I was forced to accept an entry level position that made HALF what my previous full time job had made.
It took me a long time to get over those feelings of failure and imposter syndrome. If I was a REAL writer, I would have found a way to get the words written despite financial and emotional stress, just like all of those writers I see posting epic word counts and publishing fifteen books a year. I had to leave most of the author groups I was in because every “hitting publish on book ten!” post made me feel like I’d failed even worse. It ended up being a two year gap between book 1 and book 2 of my series. And I wrote ALL of book 2 AFTER going back to work full time.
But now I have a different outlook. Everyone’s journey is different. If you love writing, if you write stories, you’re a writer. My publishing journey doesn’t have to be compared to anyone else’s. It’s mine. I make the decisions I have to based on my needs and my business choices. I don’t regret getting Savannah. We love her. If she’d ended up in some other home, who knows how they would have treated a dog with severe anxiety and peeing issues? As far as words written, regrets only hurt you. Each day is new, and my readers have been very patient and understanding. Did I lose some taking so long between books? Yep, no doubt. But I’ve also kept others, and gained new ones with each step along the way. I can only move forward, and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. There was a time in my life when even finishing a single book seemed impossible. I really think the worst thing any writer can do is compare themselves to others, and that goes hand in hand with buying in to what success “is supposed to look like”.
Thank you for this wonderful post. It made my day.
Psst. Ilona or Gordon or Brandy: the spam bots ate my comment. Sometimes it posts for me, and others it doesn’t, so posting this one in case it goes through.
Sorry about that. I restored it.
Thank you!
I’ve been out of the office for a couple of days, learning animation software (and loving it) and I read about your previous job environment — toxicity — and wondered wtf is going on that it’s so prevalent — it’s in my office and in the office of all my friends. Is it because no one has the spine to correct these bad situations?
There is a great book called The No Asshole Rule that clearly spells out the actual monetary cost of bad behavior at the office.
I’m sorry you had a bad experience at your job, but I’m so thrilled that you and your husband write such wonderful stories.
Decided to treat myself and look to see when Sapphire Flames will be released and, lo, I have already pre-ordered it. I had a very happy moment! End of this month! Yay!
Appreciate tips on working at home. Becuz of health issues I will now be CSR from home. Had to update my tech and now trying to figure out how to make an actual work space. Forward!
IA is a rockstar in the paranormal genre. Be proud! In fact, I would recognize you in the grocery store thanks to YouTube. If you lived near me you would be forced to wear sunglasses in public to avoid questions about your next book in the checkout lane. of WalMart. Wealth is overrated if you have enough to eat and love. I am glad you seem content writing. I fully acknowledge that my attitude is completely self-serving. Now, about that next book…
This is the flip side to what I read about last week. I was following up on an author I used to read to see if she’d come out with something. Apparently, she had been shaming her READERS for not buying everything she wrote instead of just the series they liked and blaming them for her having to go back to a regular job to make ends meet. So, to punish the readers, she wasn’t going to continue her popular series and just disappeared from social media.
One likes to support people, but I don’t have enough book money to buy stuff I don’t like. Plus, very few authors I follow don’t have a day job, so why she felt entitled, I do not know.
Not an author. but I ran a business from home for 20 years and this all sounds SOO familiar.
I had to develop hobbies that got me out of the house and interacting with people, or I got stale. At home I would garden when I needed a break or clean, or make things with wood. All activities that are physical but with a lot of free mental time (I used to sew a lot, but it was too much like sitting in front of the computer.)
I learned to budget my time and stopped worrying about “when” and “how long.” If I was in the groove I might work straight through for 10 hours. When I wasn’t I’d step away and let my hindbrain work on it for a while.
The more stressed I was, the less I got done, no matter how hard or long I worked, so I learned not to work while stressed. I also learned some ways that worked for me to let go of stress, because it can become a self generating fungus after a while. It was fun while it lasted and I learned a lot about myself, but self-employment is HARD!
Thank you for discussing how difficult it is to be productive from home! I am now a full-time PhD student in a funded program so I don’t have to have an outside job. I’m exceedingly grateful for the opportunity, but I struggle with getting my work done more now than when I juggled two jobs with my classes. In an ironic twist, I study psychology of the workplace, including motivation and performance. I have also found that I am the most productive, and more importantly, satisfied with my day, when I work in 2 hour chunks of time. Otherwise it’s too easy to burn out my brain. This myth that working from home or making our own schedules means huge chunks of time devoted to one large task is unrealistic for a lot of us, and we shouldn’t feel bad if that isn’t how we create. It is always refreshing to hear honesty and life experience from authors I admire!
I did medical transcription from home for five years. When I started i was in a major depressive episode for multiple reasons and just worked enough to pay bills. As I improved i put myself on a schedule of three 2-3 hour work sessions every day. My yard looked great, I did some volunteer work, did whatever else needed doing, and I was refreshed when it was time for the next work session. So I guess the point is analyze yourself first and set your goals for your life and the productive work rhythm that works for you. Most important don’t let the ANTs affect you (Automatic Negative Thoughts). It really is hard to work from home unless you can discipline yourself and force other people to respect your time boundaries.
I work from home due to there’s not enough space for everyone to work at corporate (I work for a health system in North Texas). I get asked by people if I work in my pjs when I tell them I work from home. Answer is no. I get up very early (5:15 am), get dressed, go downstairs to eat breakfast, get a huge glass of tea, and log in to my work computer before 6 am. I do my strength training and stretching exercises, and then get to work. I end my work day around 3pm.
There are days when I don’t have a lot to do. However, there are times I have so much to do I have to prioritize my work (I’m responsible for CMS and regulatory reports). All I have to say for my crazy days is thank goodness for my iPod and earphones. Music makes my day go much faster. ?
I understand about the decision to see people. There are times I force myself to go out and be around people just to break the monotony of being home.
Thank you for this blog. My son wants to be a writer and we are very supportive of his goals. We have pointed out (frequently) that he needs to support himself until he can get signed with a publisher and have a couple of releases out on the market selling well. I have forwarded this to him and asked him to read it and think on it.
Love your daughter’s job! Looks like she is having a blast! My son just got hired at the bowling alley on base. He’s going to be working the pin setter machines. My husband made him watch “The Big Lebowski” in preparation. ?
I didn’t know how much I needed to read this. It took me a long time to realise that I’m not able to write full time – I need my day job, because it allows me to occupy my brain while my muse goes to her happy place. I come home and can write for hours, because it’s been unravelling in my head all day. On the occasions I’ve been on leave and tried to spend a whole day writing, I either stew over what’s already there and nitpick it to pieces; get frustrated and commit imposter syndrome suicide; or decide I hate the whole thing and consign it to the bog of eternal stench. No files come back from that folder. So thank you for this genuine glimpse at reality, because I’ve always questioned if I could be a “real” writer when I can’t sit and punch out eight hours of muse vomit.
Thank you for this post! I just quit my job to pursue my dream of being a full time artist. I’m 56 years old and it was now or never. For the past several years I had been making my art and selling it but I just didn’t have enough time to create more product. I had to focus on my day job and that took a lot of time and energy. Everything that Ilona describes about routine and self-discipline are non-negotiable if you want to succeed. It’s so easy to let other things like errands, phone calls, and most importantly, allowing others to monopolize your time. For example, your friends saying “but you’re not working anymore!”, will derail your plans very quickly if you give in to this sort of manipulation. I have a schedule and a plan all prepared and I know that I have to stick to it and make it a priority, or I can kiss my dream good-bye.