What do you do for a living?

[Shagy1186]

I imagine most of you dont write as your full time job. I was curious what you do for a living? I'm wondering because I'm 18 and graduated from high school in June and am currently looking for a job. But I believe once I start working I will grow more and more apart from my writing and will not be as interested in it as I am now. What job would you recommend someone like me getting if I still want to continue writing and still keep it a part of my life and eventually get my first novel published.

[zornhau]

It depends? What do you like writing about? Get a job related to that. For example, if you're a hard sf nut, then get a job in a lab.

In general, worldy experience will enhance rather than hinder your writing.

But... you're 18, and you're picking a career? Erk!? Get some money together and travel!

[veinglory]

A mere 8-10 more years of education and you can be a university lecturer writing elegant science articles for no pay whatsoever-- you know it just struck me that's not such a great deal. ;)

I suggest going for anything you like that pays well and working part time?

[Sarita]

I've worked in the Market Research Industry for the last 6 years and just started back to school full time to get some degrees. Market Research was nice because I was constantly exposed to various kinds of businesses, people and products. Most of us know a little about a lot of segments in order to help out clients.

If you're getting ready for college, you could work in a phone center as an interviewer. A lot of our part time people were college students. We also had 3 writers working as telephone interviewers, one romance, the other paranormal and the other historical. They said they used the interesting characters they met on the phone to spice up their stories... :) So, a job where you deal with people can help you develop good characters.

[scfirenice]

I'm a registered nurse. It actually works very well with my writing. I work three days a week, have the others to write (theoretically), and get lots of ideas working with patients.

[Richard]

I'm a full-time journalist. I write a lot of words. Most are more interesting than this post.

[Dawno]

I think signing up with a couple of temp agencies and trying out a number of different jobs in different industries would be a good idea. First if you don't like it there's no stigma attached to 'job hopping'. Next you get a more flexible working experience -- take short term assignments. It also seems to me that you'd have a broader range of experiences and meet more people as a temp - good fodder for writing.

[Richard]

Yes, a couple of years temping and you'll never be stuck for horror plots in which the lowly underdog slices up the foul forces of oppression with a meat-cleaver after being asked to staple one too many A4 sheets with Herman, the Human Body Odour.

[Dawno]

I didn't know we had worked at the same place, Richard! Small world. :)

[Cathy C]

Yes, a couple of years temping and you'll never be stuck for horror plots in which the lowly underdog slices up the foul forces of oppression with a meat-cleaver after being asked to staple one too many A4 sheets with Herman, the Human Body Odour.

See, that's why we don't use A4 paper here in the States! We lack a sufficient supply of meat-cleavers. Fortunately, stapling 8-1/2x11 paper makes you want to take out the Uzi, which we have plenty of... ;)

I personally spent 20+ years in a law office putting words on paper. Now, I AM doing the writing thing full time... so I guess nothing much has changed except that I'm making a lot less money! :Shrug:

[Azure Skye]

I'm an IT (Information Technology) wannabe working in food service. Yay me.:cry:

[Saanen]

Elementary school teacher here, currently with the third grade, and a worse bunch of eight-year-olds you never saw. I expect I'll be completely gray-headed by the end of the year, and I'm only 35.

I temped for five years in my 20s. I've often thought that someone needs to write a murder mystery series with the sleuth as a professional temp. I'd buy it!

[Avalon]

I'm a freelance copyeditor.

You might think about starting at ground level (eg, the mailroom) at a publisher.

[A.REX]

When I was younger I tried several times to get on with local papers. I'm not that disappointed though because the slant is different than my opinions and I'd have to have compromised likely to get past the editor.

So back to my ole roots, fixing stuff... I'm a carpenter. Pays the bills. My fantasies and passions are elsewhere.

[zarch]

I'm a high school English teacher. I absolutely love it, but I'd also like to add "published novelist" to my resume.

[Andrew Jameson]

But I believe once I start working I will grow more and more apart from my writing and will not be as interested in it as I am now. What job would you recommend someone like me getting if I still want to continue writing and still keep it a part of my life and eventually get my first novel published.I imagine this is debate-able, so I shan't belabor the point, but:a) I think there's room in most people's lives (including yours) for more than one love. Who says you can't be involved with two (or three or four or five) different things that you enjoy doing? In other words, there's nothing wrong with saying, "hey, I want to get a job that allows me to write," but I think it's awfully short-sighted for that to be your only criteria. Pick something you like.

b) The above notwithstanding...what's wrong with becoming less interested in writing? People change and grow and become more interested in some things and less interested in others. Again, nothing wrong with being excited about writing and hoping to keep doing it for years and years and years, but don't keep forcing yourself to do something long past the point you're interested in it.

And, to contribute to the thread: I do research and development work in hybrid vehicles and clean engine technology. Not really related to writing novels (other than through the meta-skill of clear communication of ideas), but then, I've always thought there was room in my life for multiple interests.

[MarkEsq]

*sigh*
I'm an attorney. I used to be a newspaper reporter, when I lived in England, but I moved to the US and figured that if I was going to do a job that people distrusted, I should at least get well paid for it. :)

[ANNIE]

another Registered Nurse here. I also have a degree in geology-never used it.

traveled around the country for a few years with my hubby (before kids). There's a lot to be said for life experiences. But no matter what else I did, I always wrote. I'm only more serious about it now.

Do what you love- then do what you have to to pay the bills, but never forget your passion.

[WVWriterGirl]

I've been a medical transcriptionist, medical records file clerk for two different hospitals, legal transcriptionist and law clerk, full time student, data entry clerk at two different offices, and spent four years as a health insurance claims examiner. Now, I'm a stay-at-home mom and writer. It doesn't pay the bills, so I'm going to have to find at least a part-time job.

Writing is a very rewarding career choice, but sometimes, in the name of survival, you've got to do what you've got to do. I know that if I go back to work, I'll not be able to write again (it's burnout - it's happened to me before). It may not happen to you; but keeping a job, kids, a husband and a house going doesn't lend itself to writing "on the side". I hope you can, but steel your resolve; you'll need all the backbone you can get.

WVWG

[azbikergirl]

Pick something you like.

Amen to that. If you're a writer, you will write and no job will stop you.



It's good to earn a living that gives me the needs and comforts while I do write, but what if my writing career never takes off? I need to be happy NOW. I'm a software engineer. I enjoy what I do. It's not writing, but it's more than "just OK" (and it pays well). Doing it for the rest of my life wouldn't be a disaster.

[Richard White]

I'm a tech writer.

Before that, I was a soldier.

Plus, I'm a full-time dad. ;)

[kelker11]

Pick something you like.

Truer words were never spoken.

I work in the banking field (paper pusher extraordinaire is the official job title! :) ). And while this is an 'okay' job, there's no passion in it. It pays the bills, and the work schedule (three days a week) is fantastic, but there is no real liking for the job, yet, I've spent the last 18 years doing this.

To Shagy, you are so young right now, and everything is still a possibility for you. Go to college, later on, you'll be SO glad you did--especially if you don't ever become a successful megabucks writer...that college foundation will allow you take jobs that pay more than someone with a high school diploma could earn. Travel, as someone else recommended. Later on, life is going to tie you down with responsibilities that may not allow the time or the finances to go and do things that you want to do. But most of all, pick something that you are going to enjoy doing. You'll be spending a lot of time doing it, so it should be something you can look back on and say, "That career was a good decision."

[Anastacia]

I grade nationally standardized tests at home part-time. The pay is decent. That is when they aren't slashing it so the company can give undeserved bonuses to upper management.

When I'm not doing that I write articles, work on fiction and watch my toddler daughter.

My five year plan is to have another child, write and grade tests for a few years. After that I'd like to go back to work full time ideally as a magazine or book editor.

If you're interested in writing, why not consider a career in publishing? The pay isn't always great but if you have to earn a living let it be for something you love.

[Pat~]

I am a figure-skating instructor and also design custom handbags, in addition to doing the writing thing. I have two college degrees and used to be a full-time teacher, but much prefer the part-time ventures for this time of my life. I'd strongly encourage any writer to get as much education as possible; most writers need a day-job, and the education will bring more to the table when you do write.

[MarkPettus]

Go west, young man.

Do it all. If writing is what you want to do, your first assignment is to live and experience as much of life as you can.

George Plimpton inspired me as a teen. I saw him as a modern renaissance man, boxing with Archie Moore, pitching to Willie Mays, playing for the Detroit Lions, joining the circus... I've used his inspiration as an excuse for never knowing exactly what kind of work I was out of at any particular time.

In my current gig I'm a newspaperman. It's similar to being a writer, except the pay is a lot less.

[kristie911]

I'm a 911 dispatch supervisor...I love my job (been there 11 years, started when I was 19) and because I work third shift, 7pm-7am, there's lots of down time so I get a lot of writing in...especially in the winter! I'm actually very good at keeping my train of thought when I'm interrupted so writing isn't a problem.

[LightShadow]

I'm a writer seven nights a week, but I work construction six days a week to put food on the table.

[Tish Davidson]

Full time freelance nonfiction (science/medical) writer, but I've done lots of other stuff - quality control director at a vegetable cannery, teacher at a training school for nannies, dog walker for a pet service, cashier, clerk, camp counselor.

[reph]

I create puzzles for puzzle magazines, freelance, part-time. This is sort of writing. Before that, I did mostly copy editing of academic material.

[aruna]

I started off as a journalist, when I was around your age. It's a great experience. However, if I were staring off again and knew I was going to be writing fiction later in life, I'd try to get an internship at a literary agency. A lot of them do have openings, and later, when you're trying to get published, it might make life a lot easier. Or at a publishing house.

[inexperiencedinker]

First, I agree with the repeated mantras of "Do what you like" and "Get experience!". Seriously! They always say to 'write what you know', and even if you write out of this world science fiction or something else equally fantastic, you will still be writing what you know. Can you really write about a gun fight if you have never fired a weapon? Can you write about love if you have never been head over heels? Can you write about places and people if they aren't at least loosely based on your personal experiences? I say no, not convincingly.
My suggestion, if you are truly undecided, is to join the armed forces. If you work the contract right (those recruiters are tricky, don't ever forget it) you can get experience in a GREAT field of your choosing, stationed anywhere in the world, and a wealth of experience at your fingertips. In my short (very short) military career I have worked on vehicles, shot a MASS of weapons including a rocket propelled grenade, studied terrorism, been to about 6 states and four countries, gained self confidence, learned the art of improvisation, first aid, dark humor (a must in the military) and a wealth of other experiences. I think that it has really rounded out my experiences.
Just an option
(ewwww...i feel like a really sleazy recruiter right now)

[scribbler1382]

I'm a technical writer. I wouldn't suggest a burdgeoning novelist get a job writing. When I was young, I thought it would be the coolest thing in the world to have a job writing. Writing anything. Wouldn't matter what it was, as long as I was writing. Little did I know the hardest thing in the world is coming home after 12 hours of writing procedures and trying to convince yourself to sit in front of the computer for a few more hours, or pick up a pen and paper, sit down and write something creative.

I agree with the others who say travel. You might want to go to University as well. That's a life experience in itself. Take things like english, history, theology, archeology, etc. Fill yer noggin.

[BlueTexas]

I'm an optician. I've been a bookkeeper, bartender, hotel desk clerk--talk about material!--corporate trainer, restaurant manager, admin asst, and salesperson for classified ads.

90% of those jobs sucked, and 90% of them gave me something to write about.

[Cathy C]

When my nephew decided he wanted to be a writer, he did something really cool after college -- he joined the Peace Corps! He spent four years in Gabon, West Africa, learned French and the local dialect, Fang, and did all sorts of interesting things. With a Bachelors in communications and the world experience, he was able to land an editor job at The Village Voice in New York!


Just something to think about! :D

[Torin]

I'm a registered massage therapist, specializing in therapeutic/medical massage. This means I get to hurt people for money. :)

[AprilBoo]

I'm a technical writer. I wouldn't suggest a burdgeoning novelist get a job writing. When I was young, I thought it would be the coolest thing in the world to have a job writing. Writing anything. Wouldn't matter what it was, as long as I was writing. Little did I know the hardest thing in the world is coming home after 12 hours of writing procedures and trying to convince yourself to sit in front of the computer for a few more hours, or pick up a pen and paper, sit down and write something creative.

I agree with the others who say travel. You might want to go to University as well. That's a life experience in itself. Take things like english, history, theology, archeology, etc. Fill yer noggin.

I'll second this. I'm in marketing/PR - I write a lot of press releases and feature stories and develop a lot of printed material. I'm sapped at the end of the day. Before this job, I had a temp gig processing shipping records at a chemical plant- I wrote more there than ever, because the job was low stress and I got a chance to write while I was at work if things were slow. So my advice is to do something low stress that will leave your head free to think about whatever writing or research you are doing. And read.

[AprilBoo]

I imagine most of you dont write as your full time job. I was curious what you do for a living? I'm wondering because I'm 18 and graduated from high school in June and am currently looking for a job. But I believe once I start working I will grow more and more apart from my writing and will not be as interested in it as I am now. What job would you recommend someone like me getting if I still want to continue writing and still keep it a part of my life and eventually get my first novel published.

I notice you don't mention college here - not that you need a degree to write a novel (obviously) but taking college courses exposes you to a lot of things that you might not be able to find on your own. You might want to consider at least doing a lit class, so you'll be forced to read.

[aruna]

I agree with the others who say travel. You might want to go to University as well. That's a life experience in itself. Take things like english, history, theology, archeology, etc. Fill yer noggin.

Absolutely. When I was 19 I spent 18 months knocking around South America - hitchhiking through Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, sleeping under the stars, living from nothing, meeting fabulous people. It was fantastic. Then, a year or two later, I travelled overland to India via England, France, Switzerand, Austria, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, followed by 2 years in India. That too was unforgettable.

I would rate my travelling experience far higher than working for a newspaper, or a college degree, as a preparation for becoming a novelist.

[NeuroFizz]

Speaking of college...I'm a university professor, research area Neurophysiology (NeuroFizz) and Marine Biology, which means I work on neural control of locomotion in marine critters. Spent 24 years at a Pac-10 institution and was hired away two years ago for an endowed professorship at an institution with a marine laboratory just seven miles from the main campus. Started writing fiction four or five years ago for "fun," and I've been immersed in it since, at least as much as my job will allow. My first (historical fiction) will be coming out in July 2006. Three others complete and being shopped. Half-way through the next. I still have a very active research program (three graduate students, and a post-doc coming in January), and I publish regularly in scientific journals (over sixty pubs and counting). Research gives the same thrill as writing, so I guess I have the best of both worlds. Actually the best of three worlds--I also have a great family. I'm a lucky man.

[loquax]

I'm 18, just finished school, taking a few gap years until uni (that is, if I even want to go at all). At the moment I'm working full time for a bank and living with the rents.

I spend all my money on smallville boxsets, to which I am now utterly addicted, and I'm saving for travelling. At the moment I'm editing the novel I finished a few months ago. I have excerpts in share your work if anyone wants to take a butcher's.

[Arc_Honest]

technichally im jobless, i too am 18 (17 really)
im in the military (army family, it was expected) and just gout outta Basic at Ft. Benning GA, so i do get paid and go to drills, but according to my mother, i still have no job...

[T-bone]

Do you see what I see? We're an eclectic bunch, if nothing else.



An overriding concern common to creative types seems to be the fear of getting "locked in" to a boring or dead-end job. Yet, keeping your options open can preclude good career choices. In my opinion, go for it. Try different paths. Don't be afraid of the old stigma connected to job-hopping. These days that's called experience, a broad view, or being well-rounded.



Every experience pays off. For a short time I taught high school and often advised students to work at McDonald's (or some other entry-level job), even if only for a short while.



"Why?" they would inevitably ask.



"Because after a week you'll hate it, and after a month you'll swear you're going to stay in school so you never have to do THAT again!"



So, even flipping burgers has it's value.



Material for writing characters or situations is all around us, but often remains thinly veiled. We just need to look behind the curtain, around the corner, or under the floor. That's best done by becoming an insider, which is what happens when the goal is experience rather than a protected existence.



As for me, I currently pay the bills as an auto technician (spelled "mechanic") and musician. A couple of entrepreneurial projects are in the works (I'm a bit of an inventor as well) and, of course, there's writing - two novels completed, yet to be published, and a third in the works!

[pconsidine]

Lotsa good advice already. Ultimately, though, you're going to have to find out for yourself. I spent many years in the visual arts, while playing music on the side, eventually finding my way around to production management and now I'm a Project Manager for a textbook publishing service bureau. In fact, I spent most of my life not writing (until 3 or 4 years ago), but all that time, I was building a pretty good store of material to write about. And being around writing all that time certainly helped.

If I were to offer any hard advice, though, it would be not to take some high-paying job with the thought that you can always write later when you're rich. A career in writing comes from writing. If you want to write, you have to write - no two ways about it.

[Avalon]

pconsidine, we've had almost the same career! :)

[ChunkyC]

Interesting thread, with some great advice.

I'll add my support for travel and experience being wonderful for a writer. I spent nearly two decades as a professional musician playing in bar bands. That job took me to every province in Canada, up inside the Arctic Circle (you've never seen the northern lights until you get up that close to the pole), and even to a US air force base where I got to watch nuke-laden B-52s take off on fail-safe missions to the edge of Russian air space. I met thousands of people along the way whose idiosyncrasies season everything I write.

Currently, I write a weekly movie review column, and my day job consists of being the entire awards / engraving and IT departments for an office supply store with two locations.

[reph]

I work on neural control of locomotion in marine critters.
Now we know whom to go to with the old question "Does a fish swim?" and even "How does a fish swim?"

[rhymegirl]

Okay, you'll have to guess what my profession is:

A. Shark specialist
B. Swimsuit model
C. Zookeeper (pooper scooper)
D. Burger flipper
E. Freelance writer

[Jaycinth]

I have a degree in Communications and a degree in Accounting. I'm a mom (and you know the level of work that entails) and for awhile I promoted my husband's band. Yes, I work my butt off every day and squeezing in time for writing is -HARD- Sometimes I'm so frustrated I cry. But That is not the point. I tried my best to write when I got out of college, but it was juvenile. No life experience. Right at the moment, though I've got three short stories making the rounds, and four novels in the works, two of which are making the rounds. Everything I'm working on now, is stuff I started 20 years ago and couldn;t make it more than 2 dimensional.

I'd say take some classes, to give you a broader knowledge of things. Aim for a degree in something, just in case the facists take over and you can't write what you want. I'll also say, write down every idea that comes into your head. So what if you start a story, write 5,000 words and can't figure out where it is going. Put it in your file. You will either finish it or incorporate it into another story. Even if you just write down an idea. ( Gee what if Oswald's Real target was Jackie. . .) you'll get back to it and play with it. Never go anywhere without a notebook or a pad of paper and a pencil. I wrote one short story on a paper bag during my lunch break.

And then, armed with all of the good advice you can glean from AW... go have fun!!!!

[NeuroFizz]

Okay, you'll have to guess what my profession is:

A. Shark specialist
B. Swimsuit model
C. Zookeeper (pooper scooper)
D. Burger flipper
E. Freelance writer

From your number of posts, I'd say you do something that keeps you close to the keyboard for a good portion of the day. So, you must be a Shark Flipper, or a Pooper Scooper Model.

[Avalon]

I'm going with pooper scooper, because it rhymes -- hence your user name!

*wink*

[Mike Martyn]

All the above is good advice. I would only add that you should try to get as much exposure to people as possible. They're the models on which you will build your characters when you write.

For what it may be worth, I keep a note book with the me to jot odd things in it such as the odd expression on someone's face or something they have said which never would have occured to me.

People love to read about people. I may be over simplifying but it seems to me that if your characters are well rounded and interesting, you'll write good fiction even if your plot stinks.

As for me, in university I had a lot of interesting jobs, blowing up road cuts (you wouldn't believe the noise that 25,000 Lbs of high expolosives makes), working in a nuclear reactor, working construction.

I worked as an electrical engineer and then went to law school and I've been pratising law for the last 28 years.I'm also a voluteer martial arts instructor and the father of four.

Because of my experience, when I write, I should be able to get the science right, the law right, the violence right and to blow things up real good too! One of these days I may actually be published.

Also, as a lawyer, people tell you their secrets, stuff they wouldn't even tell their spouse, sometimes especially not their spouse.http://absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Saanen]

Okay, you'll have to guess what my profession is:

A. Shark specialist
B. Swimsuit model
C. Zookeeper (pooper scooper)
D. Burger flipper
E. Freelance writer

Ha! You're F) ALL OF THE ABOVE, right?

I've got to pop in and add my voice to the people saying "at least try college out" and the people saying "travel and experience the world." You can do both, particularly since so many universities these days have foreign exchange programs. I wish I'd tried that myself, but at least I got some traveling in after I graduated. Both experiences gave me a wealth of material to use in writing, at least as much material as I've gained through working.

The great thing about life is there's so much to do!

(P.S. I hope this isn't a double post--it didn't seem to go through the first time!)

[Hannah]

I'm a photographer (portraits and documentary) and journalism student. I'd like to incorporate my photography with written journalism; I guess that would make me a "photojournalist" :Shrug: I'd like to be a feature writer.

[tiny]

I teach Krav Maga. (self-defense)

-chris

[Vanessa]

If I tell ya, I'd have to .......

[BradyH1861]

I'm a 911 dispatch supervisor...

Dispatchers tell everyone where to go!

Brady H.

[BradyH1861]

I have been a firefighter for eight years now. The job can be a royal pain in the butt. The pay is bad, the hours long, but you get to meet so many interesting people! The food is good too. And of course, there is that whole helping people thing.

I balance it out with a Masters in History. In fact, I am actually teaching two history courses at a local community college this semester and absolutely loving it. Can't say the same for my students.

Brady H.

[sgtsdaughter]

Why yes Brady--students either love you or hate you. These days I am still in the "cool" margin, but wait until midterms hit and grades begin to formulate. . . he he he.

I delve into college teaching, while trying to master the concept of appearing and looking sane. Go figure. Then again, I am defending that big bad dissertation this year, looking for publishers for it (and a novel), and have some entries for a new primary source reader on terrorism coming out soon.

[kristie911]

Dispatchers tell everyone where to go!



That's right! Fires make up 10% of my calls and firefighters 90% of my headaches! (but ours are volunteer...I've never had the pleasure working with actual full-time firefighters. I'm sure you guys are much better.)

[LieselGarmach]

Write.

Right now, you need to write what you know now. As you continue to experience life, whether it be through travel, a low-end entry level job somewhere, or in college, continue writing.

I made the mistake of listening to someone tell me I needed to experience life before I wrote, or my writing would be 'wrong' for the market.

Fast forward 20 years ~ I still haven't traveled much. I've bounced around different industries due to circumstances somewhat out of my control, and I've raised a couple kids. It dawned on me last summer that even though my life experiences aren't what someone else would deem "qualifying", I've simply experienced a different sort of life than I'd been told was necessary to write.

The point is - don't wait to write. Understand, though, that your best writing currently is mainly going to serve to help you learn how you personally will best craft your words so that as you continue to grow as a person, you're starting halfway around the track instead of against the starter blocks.

Regardless of the job you hold to pay the bills, you'll write when you want to or you'll make a decision that you are going to write and you'll do it. It's got to come from within you. Please don't let someone tell you that you can't write if you haven't experienced life. You've got 18 years of experience already. Start there and allow your writing to reflect the myriad of experiences you'll have over the next 18. That said, don't expect that your writing will be at the same level now as it will be in 18 years - and you may or may not publish (if that's even your goal) in the next X number of years.

[rhymegirl]

I imagine most of you dont write as your full time job. I was curious what you do for a living? I'm wondering because I'm 18 and graduated from high school in June and am currently looking for a job. But I believe once I start working I will grow more and more apart from my writing and will not be as interested in it as I am now. What job would you recommend someone like me getting if I still want to continue writing and still keep it a part of my life and eventually get my first novel published.

I've been trying to figure out how to answer the second part of your question. There is no easy answer.

When my nephew asked me this question years ago, I recommended that he go to college and major in journalism. With a journalism degree you can get a job working for a newspaper and therefore, still write. You wouldn't be writing novels, but you would be writing.

The reason I told him to try majoring in journalism is because I majored in English. When I graduated from college, I had a B.A. in English, but no clear plan--no career in sight. I wanted to write, but no one would hire me because I had 'NO EXPERIENCE'. Of course not! I've been in college for 4 years!

Anyway, I did land an editorial job eventually, but not til I'd been out of college for about 5 years. Before becoming an editorial assistant, I worked in offices doing boring office work.

I guess what it comes down to is this: If you want to spend your full-time day writing, you need to go to college and get a degree in Journalism, English or perhaps Communications. (to become a journalist, editor, reporter, etc.)

If you just want to write part-time, you can get a job doing anything. I found the toughest thing about that was that creative people need to be able to use their creativity or else they get very bored! I have worked in many different offices over the years. I could do the work, but I was always bored.

I'm happiest when I can use my writing skills. I think writers need to be versatile. I am now at a point where I can freelance from home. You could try writing essays, articles, greeting cards, short stories to start with. Once you gain some experience, you could try tackling a novel.

[Elwyn]

Unemployed technical writer / test engineer. Areas of writing / testing expertise: nuclear & fossil power generation, automotive technologies, petrochemical plants, steel manufacturing and IT.

I busted my ankle in Dec 04, so I decided to write a novel. I think I'm hooked (on this writing stuff) - even though I may starve to death.

[cwfgal]

Fast forward 20 years ~ I still haven't traveled much. I've bounced around different industries due to circumstances somewhat out of my control, and I've raised a couple kids. It dawned on me last summer that even though my life experiences aren't what someone else would deem "qualifying", I've simply experienced a different sort of life than I'd been told was necessary to write.

This is exactly the kind of life one needs, in my opinion. Basic life 101. You don't have to travel or be worldly; you just need to experience life...all its joys and sadness, ups and downs, people and things.

Beth (another nurse)

[Ray Dillon]

Wow. Eclectic bunch, indeed.

My primary work is in comics and film as an artist/designer.

I also write kid's fiction. Graphic novels and novels. Working on making that the full-time. Writing and illustrating my own works.

[AndreaGS]

I work full-time as an office monkey for the government. It's easy work, pays decently, and the office politics give me some fodder for my writing. I also work part-time as a freelance artist.

Working for the government, I find, is wonderful, especially in regards to my writing. Regular schedule, easy work, doesn't fry the brains, and great benefits.

[MillyBecker]

I am a Stay-at-home mom. I have 2 kids of my own and I am a foster parent to 2 more. My kids range in age from 14 to 5 months.

[pconsidine]

pconsidine, we've had almost the same career! :)

Avalon -

I'm sorry to hear that. Truly. ;)

[Promoman]

If you want to spend your full-time day writing, you need to go to college and get a degree in Journalism, English or perhaps Communications. (to become a journalist, editor, reporter, etc.)

If you just want to write part-time, you can get a job doing anything. I found the toughest thing about that was that creative people need to be able to use their creativity or else they get very bored! I have worked in many different offices over the years. I could do the work, but I was always bored.

I think that the education is far more important than the job itself.

I work in local television as a promotion producer, which means I write copy every day. Since my job is writing-intensive, I'm always writing, but not always writing on my manuscript. There are some days when I get home and just don't feel like even opening my manuscript because I was tired of writing for the day. Perhaps some people might find that a "boring" job might motivate them to write more when they're not at work? I think you have to judge your own personality to figure out whether a highly creative job might tax your motivation to write at times.

I think if you want to work in publishing or in journalism, then you should definitely seek a job that would let you do that. But you can keep writing no matter what job you end up taking. As long as you're happy with your work, and as long as it doesn't make you want to stop writing, it shouldn't matter at all.

[WhoMeWrite?]

I’m an office manager for a clinical psychologist. Not glamorous, but it pays the bills – most of the time – and there are frequently some very interesting human activities to observe.



In terms of what you should do…anything! The sky is the limit and leave no Taco Bell unturned. I live the standard life of responsibility now –it’s those darn kids man, they force adulthood on you – but when I was younger I used to travel at the drop of a hat. I couldn’t afford to get out of the states, but I would hop a Greyhound, meet some interesting people, and work some crappy jobs until I could save up enough to try another city on for size.



The bottom line is this: it doesn’t so much matter what you do, it matters what you do with it. Go to college, work in a bar, work as a garbage collector, work as an administrative assistant, whatever. The thing is you can work all of these jobs and BE a writer. Heck, you can even BE your job AND a writer.



No position you hold can prevent you from the fascination with human behavior and motivation that us writers live to analyze.

[inexperiencedinker]

There was another post concerning gaining experience for a particular character in a book, and the author had never held a white collar job. The best reponse I saw told the author to start doing temp jobs. You get to do a lot of different things (i.e. different experiences) and meet new people all the time. You have a pay check, as well as down time, and you might even find a career you really enjoy.

[JANE007]

I work in the advertising / marketing industry. I'm an account manager. I make way more than a copywriter and get to be creative and influence my clients with my ideas. I love it.

[Lyra Jean]

I'm a Walmart slave. I cashier. Cashiering started for me when I started working at McDonald's then at Hardee's. It motivates me to write especially when half the female employees have kids and are living on their own with no support from the dad. Then they ask me when are you going to have kids? I say when I get married. They say: you don't need to be married to have kids. I say: I need too. I don't tell them I don't want to be working this job forever.

I believe that Walmart would become a company town if allowed. Most employees cash their check right at work and spend most of it there. Everyone who knows some history knows what a company town is. An employee at Walmart said I should write a story about it. Maybe someday I will when I'm done with first novel.

[johnnysannie]

I'm a freelance writer and have written full-time as my job for about ten years.

In the past however, I've held other jobs - in broadcast and print media, in several mfg. plants, and like Rosemerry - at Wal-Mart....as a cashier.

While working for Wal-Mart, I wrote some things for the corporate newsletter. Corporate liked my stuff - the manager of the store where I worked wasn't so thrilled.

[pconsidine]

I work in the advertising / marketing industry. I'm an account manager. I make way more than a copywriter and get to be creative and influence my clients with my ideas. I love it.

Of course, now I am obligated to hate you. For all the reasons you state above.



I'm a former copywriter and production manager. It was an occupational necessity. No hard feelings. ;)

[JANE007]

Of course, now I am obligated to hate you. For all the reasons you state above.



I'm a former copywriter and production manager. It was an occupational necessity. No hard feelings. ;)

LOL!! Sorry... I wasn't meaning that as a blanket statement, but rather at my particular company. The copywriters get the raw deal. I would LOVE to be a copywriter for a living, but I don't think I could give up my sales bonuses!

My dream job would be sitting there coming up with copy for ads all day... BUT I know that if I lived out that dream, i'd probably be doing so out of a 1 bedroom apartment. I guess you have to be the best-of-the-best or a Senior Copywriter in order to make any serious cash in this industry...

[Zonk]

I sell drugs for a living, and talk to my customers about how to get the best results from them.

And the government gave me a license to do it :)

:D:D:D

[Mistook]

Before I dropped out of college I worked in the A/V department, then the mail room, then the print shop. After that I was a stock boy at a local pharmacy.

Played in a band on the side durring these years.

From there I went on to work four years at my local library as a page/clerk (I must've read 500 books or better in those years). And then I did freelance web design for a few years.

I think there was a stint or two as a gas station clerk thrown in there between other jobs, and I landed a gig as a computer cable tech that took me all over the region into the crawl spaces and basements of every building and home imaginable. I worked in million dollar mansions, skyscrapers, and some really squalid hovels. I remember one house, the people had no walls in half the house - just two-by-fours, and the back yard was nothing but mud, with a snarling doberman tied up by the fence.


Currently I'm a maintenance man. I fix plumbing & electrical problems, appliances, HVAC, drywall, you name it. And though I haven't traveled the world, the property where I work takes in a lot of refugees from troubled spots around the globe, so I have exposure to people from myriad cultures and religions living here. All of them have brought their native languages, clothing, and food with them. It's kinda surreal.

[pconsidine]

LOL!! Sorry... I wasn't meaning that as a blanket statement, but rather at my particular company. The copywriters get the raw deal. I would LOVE to be a copywriter for a living, but I don't think I could give up my sales bonuses!

No offense taken. It's true of the business everywhere. It takes a great deal of perseverance to make it to the six-figure Senior Copywriter level these days. But if you can...

[ileana]

Hi,

I work for a record company doing mostly graphic design (including web) and layout, but also a bit of marketing, promotion and lots of translations (mostly german to english, but also german to spanish). The irony of it all is that I have no formal background in graphic arts (my degree is in psychology). When it comes to actual drawing, I am only good at drawing stick figures. ;) Go figure...

best,

ileana