Writing full-time can seem like the dream, but the reality for most of us is that it’s a balancing act. Even if you have reached a point where you are being paid regularly for your work, it simply may not be enough to sustain you, comfortably. Many writers will find themselves balancing a job and/or a few while also indulging in the craft.
A lot of people have assumed that I write full-time for some reason when I have a whole job and career outside of writing. Somewhere along the way, the entrepreneurial clique went too far and people became ashamed of not working for themselves. I think it’s important, first and foremost, that we work to get rid of the stigma of writing and having a full-time job. The reality is, for many people who write as their sole career, they may also have other things that aid in their ability to do so. Whether it’s a working spouse, generational wealth, or a myriad of other things that may not be your situation. And as Aunty Tab would say, that’s their business.
I like having the stability of a bi-weekly check and pretty good benefits while also being able to pitch and write freely. I often think about how, one, I think I would become a little disenchanted if I had to write every day for work and then also try to work on my own projects. And two, having financial stability allows me to be picky about what I want to write. I’m not out here hustling to keep the lights on so I can guide my writing career as I see fit vs. taking on all the assignments I can get to make ends meet.
So, if you’re like me, trying to sustain a comfortable lifestyle and in heavy pursuit of writing goals and dreams, I wanted to share a few best practices when it comes to prioritizing and finding the time to write while working 40 hours a week elsewhere.
Make the time. This will come with starting early or late. For me, I have worked from home for over six years which has been truly helpful towards my writing career. No commute. So if I wake up at 7 am, walk the dog, and get dressed, I can get at least an hour in writing before I have to start work at 9 am. I find writing first is best for me because honestly after a full 10 hour day, I have very little capacity to want to do any writing after a long shift. It also helps me not to resent my job because I know I’ve made progress toward my real long term goal first. We’ll talk in a bit about why I work long days, also to help with my writing career!
Reclaim your time. So many of us say we don’t have the time and I’ve talked about this a lot. You have it, somewhere. Reel in social media time. I recently deleted the Twitter app from my phone which means I can only access it on the computer and it has worked wonders for my mental health and making more time for things that really matter. Maybe watch two of those shows in the season instead of the whole series. You have to look at where you are wasting time because when working a 9 to 5, those hours off the clock are very precious. Protect the small time you can carve out fiercely.
Set realistic expectations. Sometimes we want to be able to have five hours to write and I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t even really work for me. I find that consistent short spurts of writing are much better for me than thinking I’m going to miraculously find half a day to write with no one knocking on my door, asking me to be somewhere, or calling my phone. Stop thinking you’re going to get the whole book done in a weekend and start setting some very realistic goals that you can accomplish with your workload and personal life schedule.
Take notes. Writing is happening all the time. Not just when you sit down and stare at the empty screen with a blinking cursor. Keep a notebook near you or use your notes on your phone. But don’t be afraid to write down ideas or outline notes while working. That way you’re not trying to remember until you actually have the time to pull out your laptop. Ideas are fleeting when there is a lot on your mind, believe me. If I don’t write things down, I forget and I get so sad when they are really good ideas that I miss.
Bonus: Also, use it all. Your work is a source. Conversations, characters, story ideas, those things are all swirling around the workplace. Write it down and find ways to use it in your work. My first book is based on the music industry because that’s what I’m around 24/7. I saw things that were interesting and wanted to tell those stories.
PTO. Lunchbreaks. Alternate Schedules. So, I told you I would get back to tell you about working long days. I work 10 hours, four days a week so that I can have Fridays off. When my job offered alternate work schedules, at first, I was leary, but once I sold my novel, I felt like having Fridays off would give me a full day if needed for revisions, meetings, calls. It has been super helpful even as I venture off into writing for TV/Film to give me time to make progress on scripts and whatever else is at hand. USE YOUR TIME. I feel like especially as BIPOC, we just let the time sit there. And don’t get me started on those of us who work from home. Don’t be afraid to take a day off to write or use a lunch break. You have to do what you have to do.
Reset. This is an extremely important part of the process, not to be missed. It’s okay if you get home or walk from your kitchen, nowadays that most of us are working from home, and don’t feel like writing. Writing is a mental sport, man, and some days I just don’t have it. We keep talking about balance and procrastinating vs. not forcing it is truly a balancing act. Sometimes we make too many excuses. Bad. But sometimes we need to rest. Good. You need to be honest with yourself. I know when I’m being lazy and when I need a break. You have to have that discernment as well.
Listen, I’d love to see the day when my writing is lucrative enough for me to say sayonara to the full-time gig. But we ain’t there yet, okay? In the meantime, it’s a hustle, it takes dedication, discipline, and drive to want to do work on top of work. But when you want something as bad as I have wanted to write stories for soooo long, you will make the necessary sacrifices to make it happen for your life. At least in my humble opinion.
Writing/Job Opportunities
ARRAY (Ava Duvernay’s company) is looking for a full-time Publicity Assistant.
Maria Del Russo is looking for freelancers who can help with beauty buying guides. Email mdelrusso@businessinsider.com w resume + relevant clips.
Siren is launching an emerging sports writer program to support women writers in sports.
Simon & Schuster is looking for a Senior Publicist.
Prism is looking for an Audience Engagement Editor.
Rachel Charlene at Bitch Media is looking for timely pop culture or political pitches. Please see examples in her twee, linked.
Pippin Properties is offering the Annual African American Creatives grant of 6k to a Black creative interested in young people’s literature. Deadline 11/15.
What was the moment you experienced a political awakening? Tranformations is accepting essays.
Stephanie Kim shared her #MSWL. (Manuscript WishList), an agent at New Leaf Literary. Take a look, maybe one of your book projects is a match.
Variety is looking for a TV Reporter. (LA-based).
To be read.
Industry News
Trio of Black Female Authors Among 21 McArthur Foundation ‘Genius Grant’ Winners
Where Are The Unlikeable Female Characters in Young Adult Fiction?