What's your day job?

DVGuru · May 23, 2006

This is a question for all the unpublished writers like myself. What's your day job? Do you have a menial job just to pay the bills so you can focus on writing, or do you have a career and writing is something you do part-time on the side?

I myself am unemployed at the moment and looking for work. As I was searching through the classifieds the question popped into my head.

KTC · May 23, 2006

I write.

Avalon · May 23, 2006

Freelance text/reference and medical copyediting. Self-employment is difficult, but it lets me organize my hours to get my writing done.

Anya Smith · May 23, 2006

I'm an artist, but I'm trying to phase it out so I can devote all my time to writing.

cuteshoes · May 23, 2006

i animate titles and 2d graphics for commercials, cg movies, and television network packages (like the "coming up next on...." stuff)

kc361 · May 23, 2006

I just graduated from med school, and I'm trying to write as much as I can (read: finish my novel) before I start my residency in surgery next month. After I start, I don't think I'll have a regular writing schedule for a looooooong time.

rpl · May 23, 2006

I have a menial (but well paying) job as a legal secretary in one of those big international law firms. I have been on a part-time schedule since March to allow myself time to write -- and when I say write, I mean mow the lawn, clean the house and sleep.

MadScientistMatt · May 23, 2006

Mechanical engineer, for now.

Unemployed as of July if I don't land another job before then.

CaroGirl · May 23, 2006

Part-time, contract Technical Documentation Specialist (used to be called a technical writer) for high-tech software startup. Although it pays well, it's not so much a career for me as it is a job.

ChaosTitan · May 23, 2006

I am an assistant manager for a Specialty Retail Home Decor Chain (could I get any more vague?). I hate it, but it pays the bills. And it lets me practice my acting skills.

Although I have to be thankful for the amount of human observation I can squeeze into any given work day. Some of the best writers (IMHO) are also keen observers of human nature. That and once in a while, a particularly nasty customer ends up as blog fodder.

The lesson: Be nice to retail employees. You never know who lurks behind that awful brown apron.....

PattiTheWicked · May 23, 2006

I do several things, but not all are paying jobs. I write for a local newspaper, I work as a Pampered Chef kitchen consultant, I'm a media relations grinch for a parents' advocacy group, I work part time in my kids' school library, and I'm about to take on a gig as a living history interpreter at a nearby farm.

The first two are the only ones that pay any bills though.

sharra · May 23, 2006

currently working as a team leader in an admin environment. Surprisingly, I (usually) like the work, & the people are great. Would still love to write full-time, though.

Variant Frequencies · May 23, 2006

For money, I'm a nurse. Neonatal intensive care is my specialty. I'm also a mom, and I write, read, edit and blog for a spec fiction podcast.

Life is busy!

Zolah · May 23, 2006

DVGuru said:
This is a question for all the unpublished writers like myself. What's your day job?

You do realise that about 80% of published authors still have to work at day jobs, yes? I'm a civil servant three days a week, trying to help people untangle themselves from the cunning webs of red-tape my bosses set up.

alleycat · May 23, 2006

I work for a structural engineering firm (fun with skycrapers, stadiums and hospitals).

Here's our website: www.sdg-structure.com (I did the cheesy 3D graphics you see when you first log on).

ac

Manxom Vroom · May 23, 2006

Technical writer in the automotive industry.

RG570 · May 23, 2006

Right now I'm a sponge. Milking out the last of my savings so that I can have time to finish this novel I'm working on. I am looking for a job, but not very hard, since I don't really want to work.

Maryn · May 23, 2006

I eat bon-bons and snap at the servants when I'm bored. That and jewelry shopping pretty much uses all my time.

hlywkar · May 23, 2006

DVGuru said:
This is a question for all the unpublished writers like myself. What's your day job? Do you have a menial job just to pay the bills so you can focus on writing, or do you have a career and writing is something you do part-time on the side?

I work in a packing/config plant for an well know personal electronics company. 12 hr shifts, rotating. It's a lot on the schedule. But it also gives me 3, 4 or sometimes 7 days off a time. I also work at a sports bar as a cook. Both just to pay bills. Still trying to find career. Also trying to find a schedule to get my first book done.

brendao · May 23, 2006

I'm a former journalist and teacher, now a stay-at-home mom. I freelance to bring in extra cash - as little as possible. That's fine for now, because we sold our house in Southern California (my husband's a native) and we moved to my (less expensive) turf, Michigan. My husband is supportive of my efforts to write a novel, until the money runs out. Tick-tock...and I thought my biological clock was loud!

Brenda

Macari · May 23, 2006

Patent attorney.

janetbellinger · May 23, 2006

I have two part time jobs. I am a substitute teacher with the local Board of Education (this one could work out to be every day if I would allow it to,) and I am an ESL tutor two or three evenings a week. These jobs give me money to help pay the bills and they arte paying for the crateful of copies of my POD novel (cough,) which I have no intention of trying to sell.

Nangleator · May 23, 2006

Corporate job as a one-man marketing communications department.

I'm a 3D animator/illustrator, graphic designer, video editor, videographer, web master, print manager, presentation specialist (grrr,) and admin.

mesh138 · May 23, 2006

pro poker player

devdra@sympatico.ca · May 23, 2006

technical writer - for 15 years now. For years and years technical writing sucked the creativity right out of me... but, with careful help, I'm getting better!

What's your day job?

DVGuru

Plays too many video games

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Avalon

Linda J. Daly

Anya Smith

House Dragon

cuteshoes

kc361

rpl

MadScientistMatt

Empirical Storm Trooper

CaroGirl

Living the dream

ChaosTitan

Around

PattiTheWicked

Unleashing Hell.

sharra

Variant Frequencies

Podcaster

Zolah

Over the hills and far away

alleycat

Still around

Manxom Vroom

A proper fool

RG570

Maryn

I Tried

hlywkar

brendao

Macari

janetbellinger

Nangleator

Rep Point Whore

mesh138

[email protected]