Career in writing?

[Eoinoctis]

This is the first time I have ever posted in a forum such as this. I am not a professional writer by any stretch of the imagination. Nor do I write for any local papers, or anything of that sort. For a few years I have tossed around the idea of writing a book, and now feel that I am in the right place in my life emotionally, to undertake such an endeavor. I have no formal training in writing, at least nothing at the university level. I am not writing this book with the idea that I could become a famous writer - I have few delusions about the realities of life. And indeed, I am writing this book first and foremost for myself. However, I would like to have it published when the time comes. I haven’t any clue whether someone would even look at the writing of someone with no formal training or background, and little experience.

To be perfectly honest, I hate working my 9-5 job. I hate being restricted by other people’s timeframes. I hate having to show up at a job every day, whether I want to or not. Nevertheless I continue at this job as I have greater goal in mind - moving to England. Becoming a paid novelist would be a dream for me. The idea of having no office to go to, being able to work on my own schedule and having the option of working outside in the middle of nowhere, would change my life. My current job stresses me out so much that I get headaches almost every day I am at work. It is adversely affecting my health.

I know that I need to do something creative for a living. In any job I have ever worked, it was always the creative parts I enjoyed the most. I had a mental breakdown about a year ago, at the end of a term of university. I realized that I needed to do something that made me happy, and not just do what I figured people would respect me for. This last year has been a year of discoveries about myself. I have realized that I would be happier barely making ends meet and doing something I enjoyed, than having lots of money but hating my job. It seems like a no-brainer, but when you have the idea that money equals success and happiness drilled into your mind up through school, you start to believe it.

For the sake of not further boring anyone who has read this far, I will end this shortly. I have come to this forum in the hopes that I might learn from others who have walk this path before me. I truly hope that I can turn my enjoyment of writing into a “career” of sorts, and that I can finally free my mind from the bonds of this office prison. I have to ask though, do people here think I am dreaming, or is there a chance that I could write novels professionally, despite having no formal training of any kind? Would publishers even take me seriously enough to read my work? Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.

[Stephenie Hovland]

Read every post you have time to read. Start in Writing Novels (since you mentioned writing novels) near the top of the forum. Don't post too much until you've read a lot! Most of the questions have been answered here at one time or another.

It certainly is possible to have a writing career, but I don't think anyone would recommend quitting your day job tomorrow.

You don't need university level writing classes, but you do need determination and resources, among other things. This forum is a great resource to get you going - and keep you humble.

Stephenie

[wwwatcher]

Welcome

And yes, humble is good.

And check out Writing with Uncle Jim in the Novel board; it is crammed with information and it keeps you humble too!


Take Care,
Faye:)

[Eoinoctis]

After reading more posts (such as the one entitled “Is it really that bad”), the realities of writing have become very apparent. That has not however dampened my spirit or resolve in this matter. I did obtain a university degree, and I have other interests that are perhaps more financially stable. This is not to say that I wont keep working towards my goal of writing novels for a living, but at least I will be able to keep a roof over my head in the mean time.

I don’t think being humble will be much of a problem. With most things in life I am so convinced that everyone else is better than myself, it takes a conscious effort for me to get up the will to actually attempt those tasks. I dealt with a great deal of loss and rejection when I was younger, and have developed a bit of thick skin because of it. I may get rejected by every publisher I ever take my work to, but as long as my writing can make at least one person smile, that will make it all worth while.

Thank you for your responses,

Cheers

[Stephenie Hovland]

That sounds like a very healthy attitude for an author. From what I've seen on this board and others, most newbies (of which I am one) either are too in love with their own writing or are too timid to ever submit.

If you have a tough skin, confidence, a paying job, and want to write and learn every day--I think you're set! Go for it!

Stephenie
(I'd be the timid newbie mentioned above -- but I'm working my way out of it, starting with magazine articles and short stories)

[Weren Cole]

E-

[Weren Cole]

E-
From what I see you sound very much like a writer, an intelligent person with a creative flair and the angst to prove it to yourself that you can really do it. I am the same way. What I have learned is that patience, humility, and tough skin are virtues as a writer, though not to be sacrified at the cost of writing confidently, writing what you want to write and floating it out there. As for me, I think I fall into both categories, I am in love with my writing though too timid to let it out, (not just yet anyway).

I agree with the one who said that you have the right start, security and education and the personality and drive to do it. It is something that hinder's me in my own struggle, comfortability in one's means can be a tricky proposition these days, and the need to make a living sometimes leaves us exhausted beyond the point of creative capacity. It's easier to consider your BIC time a time for reading over what has been done, but everyday should be creating, not rehashing what has come before, or spending your time writing messages on the internet. (There is a time for that, I think in between long BIC sessions's usually :p )

Anyway, my thoughts, please excuse the tangent. Also I may have made an accidental post. . . wups.
Weren

[chrdana7]

I never dreamed of writing until life gave me a story that has to be told. I was 51 when I started and I didn't know what the hell I was doing. I read a few books on writing and learned the craft. Stephen King's book "On Writing" was very helpful. I'd get sick if I looked at my first draft of the beginning of my book but I was just learning then. Eventually it evolved to a well written story and I'm ready to approach publishers. I think that the most important rule in writing came from Strunk and White. Get rid of all unnecessary words. Don't confuse the readers or you will lose them. It's easy to get lost while writing because it's like talking to yourself and you can drift but if you get lost so will the reader. You know where you are going with the story but the reader doesn't. End your chapters strong so the reader will go on to the next one and not want to close the book. Tell yourself that you are a writer. Anyone who wears a badge is a cop. There are good ones and bad ones but they are all cops. It's the same with anyone who holds a pen. We're all writers but we don't hold a pen anymore. Thank God for computers because theres no way I could write without one. I'm amazed that Jackie Collins still writes everything in long hand. That is really a love of writing and she cranks out books at a frightening pace. Good luck!

[sfsassenach]

As for writing by hand, the famous writers who do [Joyce Carol Oates & John Updike, among others] have secretaries who type their drafts.