Article #14
The Decision To Write

Lordy! Lordy! Lordy!  How many times in the past few years have I been asked the question by a beginning writer whether they should give up a lucrative, full-time job for a writer's career?  And, all this before the writer has had a single word published.

This question traditionally comes from a new writer who is struggling to determine whether a career in writing is really for them.  Naturally, once you've been published and are a full-bloomed author, that question should be easier to answer.  Easier, because the author might have received some kind of advance that helps them determine whether they could financially support themselves as a published author.

However, sale of the first manuscript doesn't necessarily mean that your second manuscript will be sold.  It just depends, in this tight publisher's market, or how much money the publisher has made on your first manuscript.  If it didn't do all that good - even if it achieved some critical acclaim -- it might not be all that easy for your literary agent to sell the second manuscript.

Now, if your first hardcover was a book club's main selection, the mass reprint (paperback) advance was six figures and the audio cassette rights were sold, the publisher, being bottom-line oriented, will probably be anxious to try it all over again with another publisher's contract for you.

Therefore, because of the inherent risks involved, I would urge a new writer to consider being part time, not give up your job until there is more financial security.  While writing professionally should ultimately be a full time vocation rather than an avocation, a writer must be somewhat practical in our realistic world.

Bread must be put on the table and our bills must be paid each month and until that is guaranteed, keep your job and write in your leisure time.  But, now that I've said that, please don't neglect your family by locking yourself up in the garret, pounding away on your computer for hours at a time.  They might not appreciate it.

Don't give up your day job, not quite yet.