This is a great post Erin! I’m curious if you find the creative work as a designer to be pulling from the well you’re trying to give space to fill (as opposed to a day job that isn’t creative in nature) or if you feel like it’s a different muscle and doesn’t impact your writing well.
I don't feel like it's using up my creativity, but it's a pretty mundane job. Which isn't a bad thing; I actually like how the design work for this particular role is very repetitive and predictable. It means I have creative energy left for the writing stuff. That said, I'm currently busy with revising, which is a different skillset than brainstorming or drafting. I might feel differently once I try to do this day job PLUS draft something new.
Yes to this! When I'm in good writing mode, I've found that I tend to get roughly the same output whether I've been able to write full time or had a job. I've found other things impact output a lot more than day job.
And this all reminds me very much of Big Magic, and the part where Elisabeth Gilbert talks about how we should tend to our creativity and work to support IT, rather than demanding it support us.
And I agree. I have gotten so much done this past month, probably the same amount I would have gotten done even without the day job. Granted, it was pretty exhausting to squeeze it all in and it required some early mornings and late nights, but... I'm making do!
Yes, to all of this. I’m like you in that I don’t write well when I’m stressed about money (and lots of other things, honestly). I’ve been a full-time 911 dispatcher since 2001. While there are days I get frustrated about not being able to spend all of my time focused on my writing and publishing, I fully recognize that my job security, steady pay, and benefits have provided the peace of mind I need to write. The main thing for me is finding a writing routine around the non-writing job (many years on midnight shift sometimes complicated that, but I’m a dayshifter now).
I appreciate this perspective, Erin. For a long time, I dreamed of being able to write full-time, but the more I learn (about the publishing industry and myself), the more I understand that I am likely happier writing on the side of my day job for exactly the reasons you said. I want writing to be fun, and not pressure filled. ❤️
Thanks, Brienna. I'm glad you enjoyed the piece. What works for each writer will be unique, but it's good that you're already listening to your instincts regarding what feels best for you!
I hear you! This def resonated: "when you work so, so hard, but don’t land a book deal, therefore receiving no compensation for your labors." I also agree that it can be quite liberating to work another job and let ALL of the the other writer stuff fall to the side - except for the writing. Best of luck with doing it all!
Thanks for this, Erin! A really helpful reality check 😂 For a long time my question was 'when oh when will I finally be able to write full time?' but now it is more 'how can I find work that better supports my creativity?' My problem currently is that my day job is in sales at a publisher, so it is NOT giving me a healthy break from the industry and all its capitalistic demands...in fact, quite the opposite...
I'm struggling with a similar problem! I teach full-time, and while intellectually it gives me a break from thinking about publishing, the constantly shifting demands leave me very little predictability around my writing schedule. I love the way you phrased this - finding work that better supports creativity. I imagine working in publishing sales is really draining when you're trying to dream big in your own writing.
I'm with you here. I look forward to my mundane 2 days a week corporate job as a break from the creativity writing fiction requires. It's like a little paid holiday every week! Sh, don't tell them!
This post came into my feed at just time right time as I’m at a crossroads in my publishing journey. I deeply feel that strange mental wrangling of what to do when you spend time (years!) on work that doesn’t sell. You’ve reminded me that, in the past, working full or part time has always improved my creative brain!
This is a great post Erin! I’m curious if you find the creative work as a designer to be pulling from the well you’re trying to give space to fill (as opposed to a day job that isn’t creative in nature) or if you feel like it’s a different muscle and doesn’t impact your writing well.
I don't feel like it's using up my creativity, but it's a pretty mundane job. Which isn't a bad thing; I actually like how the design work for this particular role is very repetitive and predictable. It means I have creative energy left for the writing stuff. That said, I'm currently busy with revising, which is a different skillset than brainstorming or drafting. I might feel differently once I try to do this day job PLUS draft something new.
The pressure we put on our wild, creative processes when we need to make money to live -- yes. Gosh, yes.
Thank you for sharing, Erin.
Thanks for reading <3
Yes to this! When I'm in good writing mode, I've found that I tend to get roughly the same output whether I've been able to write full time or had a job. I've found other things impact output a lot more than day job.
And this all reminds me very much of Big Magic, and the part where Elisabeth Gilbert talks about how we should tend to our creativity and work to support IT, rather than demanding it support us.
Yes, love that distinction Gilbert makes.
And I agree. I have gotten so much done this past month, probably the same amount I would have gotten done even without the day job. Granted, it was pretty exhausting to squeeze it all in and it required some early mornings and late nights, but... I'm making do!
I hope this part-time job continues to be a great situation for you, Erin.
Thanks, Liz! Me too!
Yes, to all of this. I’m like you in that I don’t write well when I’m stressed about money (and lots of other things, honestly). I’ve been a full-time 911 dispatcher since 2001. While there are days I get frustrated about not being able to spend all of my time focused on my writing and publishing, I fully recognize that my job security, steady pay, and benefits have provided the peace of mind I need to write. The main thing for me is finding a writing routine around the non-writing job (many years on midnight shift sometimes complicated that, but I’m a dayshifter now).
Yes, the peace of mind that comes with another income stream is so crucial! I'd love my writing to pay me a livable (and dependable) income, but alas.
I appreciate this perspective, Erin. For a long time, I dreamed of being able to write full-time, but the more I learn (about the publishing industry and myself), the more I understand that I am likely happier writing on the side of my day job for exactly the reasons you said. I want writing to be fun, and not pressure filled. ❤️
Thanks, Brienna. I'm glad you enjoyed the piece. What works for each writer will be unique, but it's good that you're already listening to your instincts regarding what feels best for you!
I hear you! This def resonated: "when you work so, so hard, but don’t land a book deal, therefore receiving no compensation for your labors." I also agree that it can be quite liberating to work another job and let ALL of the the other writer stuff fall to the side - except for the writing. Best of luck with doing it all!
Yes, I basically only have time for the writing/revising now. All the other stuff has become noise, which is honestly pretty freeing!
Thanks for this, Erin! A really helpful reality check 😂 For a long time my question was 'when oh when will I finally be able to write full time?' but now it is more 'how can I find work that better supports my creativity?' My problem currently is that my day job is in sales at a publisher, so it is NOT giving me a healthy break from the industry and all its capitalistic demands...in fact, quite the opposite...
I'm struggling with a similar problem! I teach full-time, and while intellectually it gives me a break from thinking about publishing, the constantly shifting demands leave me very little predictability around my writing schedule. I love the way you phrased this - finding work that better supports creativity. I imagine working in publishing sales is really draining when you're trying to dream big in your own writing.
I'm with you here. I look forward to my mundane 2 days a week corporate job as a break from the creativity writing fiction requires. It's like a little paid holiday every week! Sh, don't tell them!
This post came into my feed at just time right time as I’m at a crossroads in my publishing journey. I deeply feel that strange mental wrangling of what to do when you spend time (years!) on work that doesn’t sell. You’ve reminded me that, in the past, working full or part time has always improved my creative brain!