The Great Adventure

“Only a fool writes for anything but money.” –Samuel Johnson

I’ve been writing a long time, and although I’ve never gotten rich from it, I’ve been able to make a career out of it. But if I had a chance to go back and advise my 17-year-old college freshman self on the fine points of a writing career, here’s what I would say:

1. Don’t quit your day job. Rather, find a day job that either gives you the free time to write on the side and/or requires you to write even if you aren’t writing fun stuff. Reality check here: writing is writing, and the more you write, the better you get at it. So if you get a job in public relations, at your local newspaper, or ad agency writing copy, thank your lucky stars. You are getting paid and you are improving your skills as a writer.
2. The money is out there. It’s likely not as much as you expect or want–at first. A rule of thumb is this: the more money you get paid, the less likely you are writing something for yourself and more likely to be writing for someone else. That’s why they pay you, bucko.
3. Do your research. Find a copy of Writer’s Market online or at your local library. Do some networking. Talk to other writers and see who is looking for writers.
4. There is nothing wrong with writing what inspires you. Just don’t expect to get paid for it. If you find an audience, great. That’s what I did. I was a book editor who wanted to write outside the categories that my publisher accepted, so I decided to self-publish. That was in 2012. Since then, I have published both traditionally and independently. I can’t say there is more money to be made one way or the other. Which brings me to:
5. MARKETING. I hate that word, but it’s the reality in writing these days. Even when I get traditionally published, my publisher expects me to get out there and PROMOTE my products. I had an editor friend tell me that, “More than 50% of an author’s job these days is self-promotion.” If you are an outgoing person, it helps a lot. If you are an introvert, heaven help you.

I’ve written a lot, but I didn’t write with the intent on making a lot of money. Don’t get me wrong: I like money. I like being able to pay my electricity bill. But mainly I write because I feel (1) God called me to do this; and (2) I have something to say.

What’s your reason? I hope you aren’t writing to become a millionaire, because if you are, I have bad news….