I found a new blog this week. Yes, I know — like you need to know about another blog. Ha.
The Day Job: A Writer’s Inquiry is a blog where author Erin Moulton explores the day to day jobs of writers and authors.
I’ve always been fascinated of how other writers balance their time with work and writing. Here are snippets from some of the featured interviews so far:
“I worked in a bookstore. I worked as a waitress. I worked as a secretary. The worst job ever–I had a summer gig sewing sequins on costumes for the Ice Capades. I thought I’d die of boredom.” – Kathi Appelt
“Waitressing has been my most constant “wage earning job” while I have been writing. The flexible hours and lack of “take home” responsibilities suited my life style and my writing ambitions.” – Kelly Bennet
“I began writing on my lunch hour, after work, and after the Oklahoma City Bombing, decided to quit and write full-time. That tragedy was a wake-up call that life was precious, too often short, and that the time to make my dream come true was now.” – Cynthia Leitich Smith
So it got me thinking about my best and worst day jobs.
My best day job was when I worked a test proctor for software certifications. After getting the online test started, I could do whatever I wanted so I mostly wrote — those people could have been cheating on their test for all I knew.
My worst day job is when I was working in sales for a medical software company. We did a LOT of traveling, conferences, and it was very hard to focus on writing. I was too tired and mentally drained.
What about you? What day jobs have hurt or benefited your writing?
For awhile I tried to focus on my career instead of writing. I was in a horribly stressful job where I had way too much responsibility. I was always too stressed at the end of the day to ever do any writing. By focusing on my career, I made myself dead inside.
I quickly got out of that job though and “backtracked” to a copywriting job where I can be creative and leave my work in the office at the end of the day. I love it and even though I took a pay cut, it was the best decision I ever made.
I’d say being a mom has definitely helped. I see kids. I hear kids. I’m around kids. And before that, being a teacher helped. Now, my kids are in school and I’m pursuing writing as long as we can afford it.
Tiana: Can totally co-sign with the stressful job. Especially one where you can’t leave the work at the office. This is where one has to make a decision —what’s more important — focusing on my career or focusing on my writing? Then you can make choices. It’s really hard to do both.
Laura: I thinks mothers and teachers have an advantage when writing for kids and teens. They are in their midst and can get an authentic feel for dialogue and characters. You are truly blessed to be able to focus on your writing at this time.
I’ve only thought of writing seriously for a year or so. So, the only job I’ve held since then is my teaching job. I love my job – but it is enormously time-consuming. I spend a minimum of 50 hours a week on it – usually more (sometimes WAY more), so the biggest impact is time. It takes me forever to do anything :)
I’ve found that teaching can be a great complement to writing, but there were a few semesters where I was teaching WAY too many classes at once. I didn’t have time for anything else – all I did was grade papers and prepare lesson plans. Now that I know my limits (and I’ve learned to say no), I’ve had a much easier time balancing writing and teaching.
Thank you so much for the link! It’s extremely helpful to read about others’ day jobs as I try to decide what to do. All I’ve ever been is a student — and I do get a lot of writing done during holidays and the beginning of the semester, but towards finals, I get nothing done at all.
Jemi:I know how much you love your day job — the passion shows through when you talk about the kids in your class in your blog posts. But you’re right, time is always an issue.
Anna: I have many teacher friends and I know how the workload can really add up. But just like Jemi, I know how passionate you are about your students. Looks like you are finding the balance.
Sandy: Definitely keep all your options open as far as your figuring out what your day job will be. I know you’ll figure it out. :) In the meantime, study hard and get good grades. Good luck applying to grad schools!
My main source of non-fiction income is sub-editing on a medical magazine. It’s good for making me disciplined about my writing, paying attention to types, getting facts right and scrambling in under the deadline! Plus I get some interesting insights into a very worthwhile, human profession.
I’ve also started doing film extras work, which is a totally whacky way to earn a living. It’s wonderful to be surrounded by fascinating people who are all trying to do the best creative job they can, no matter how big or small their part is.
How interesting that you do films extras work. I can only imagine all the interesting people that you get to meet! And the story ideas you probably get from being on the set.
Plus, I can see how the editing can really help you with your other writing. When I was a technical writer, it helped me make my writing more concise.
My only career has been teaching, and it’s helped my writing. I started writing YA after being exposed to YA and MG as a teacher–before then, I read mainly adult books. It’s a draining career, but summer vacation and other breaks are when I catch up on my writing. So I do have time to write.
Medeia: A lot of my writer friends are teachers and they really make the most of their summer vacation.
Can’t wait to meet you in person at the FL SCBWI in June. :)