Any suggestions for writing a book while keeping a job to pay the bills?
Has your experience, or that of those you know been to 1) get up earlier than you used to; 2) stay up later; 3) weekends; 4) live lean for a year than quit your day job or substantially lower your hours?
Good Answers (3)
Susan S
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., financial marketing writer.
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I've done 30 books this way and am now taking a much-deserved sabbatical from a schizophrenic worklife. I did most of my plotting/blocking on the subway during my commute. I did my researching and writing on weekends. DO NOT quit your day job unless you have enough contracts to support you. Publishing is in a downturn right now.
What you need to do is play to your strengths. You'll need, in addition to writing, organizational skills; you'll need to be able to write quickly and decisively; and you'll need to compartmentalize writing and day job.
When it works, it's synergistic and will actually benefit both. When it doesn't work, better put on another pot of coffee and make it strong.
Depends on your timetable, and how much of a priority it is for you. My "day" job (the one that pays bills) is as a freelance marketing communications writer. My "other" job (and yes, I think of it as a job) is working on a manuscript for a book I want to publish. My "day" job takes priority. I try to spend at least one hour a day on the book, or it'll never get done.
Joseph C. G
Partner at DLA Piper
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A friend of mine wrote three books while still a busy media executive in NYC. She sacrificed by staying up late or getting up early, she gave up many beautiful summer weekends and even took "working vacations" to meet deadlines.
In the end, though, she will tell you it was worth it. She's working on her fourth book now. Even on her fourth book though, she'd say she won't quit her day job.
It provides structure, social support and a steady stream of income on which to rely during those long months (sometimes years) in between checks from the publisher.
That being said, I've found it very hard to do this myself. I have a draft manuscript in the works, but it has languished because every time I have a spare moment from my legal practice, the last thing I feel like doing is staying indoors and working on it!
Good luck!!
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Rob D
Innovation Catalyst. Director of innovation & commercialization group. Keynote speaker, author, consultant.
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Hi Bill,
For my latest book, "Competitive Intelligence: Fast, Cheap & Ethical" (see link below), I hired a professional writer, Tracy Urban, to work with me. Tracy was able to organize my thoughts, and keep me on track. My book is now available through Amazon and all book stores. I recommend Tracy very highly. Cheers.. Rob
Links:
Rob D also suggests this expert on this topic:
Tim M
Principal at MDS Group
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Tim M suggests this expert on this topic:
John also has a regular email he sends if you register. He's got good thoughts about all aspects of the process.
Merydith W
Sex in the Boardroom (book) Developing next generation leaders: Washington DC & Adelaide
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Hi Bill
I'm doing exactly what you are asking about. The key to success is to be organised. The way I have managed is to do only what I have to do. My social life was reduced significantly and I included anything that I knew would help me to succeed.
My paid work and book took priority and everything else had to fit in with it.
It certainly has not been easy however the book will be delivered to the publishers on the 1st September 2008 and be out by end of year so it's worked for me.
All the very best.
Merydith Willoughby
I've only been involved in writing chapters of a book, rather than an entire book, but I tool option 2, and as others have mentioned, curtailed my social life for the time.
I have a great book that suggests a method for writing a book in a year using your weekends. It has a suggested timeline, with questions and tasks to focus your activities appropriately. I haven't done it yet (waiting for the kids to grow up) but from what I've read, it appears to have very useful tips. The book is called The Weekend Novelist, and is written by Robert J Ray.
It can be tough! I was writing a computer networking textbook for a major publisher, but a couple months in was offered a promotion, accepted it, and needed to relocate. This didn’t allow me to meet book deadlines, but the publisher understood and we're still on great terms. I was also working on another M.A., though, so it was really tough and I fear my family was suffering.
Jen N
Creativity Expert/Writer/Editor/Speaker
Best Answers in: Writing and Editing (1), Career Management (1)
I agree that you need to be organized. I tried a few different systems, including Julie Hood's Organized Writer, but in the end, I had to develop my own system (KNOWS).
I'm a night owl, not a morning lark by any means. I stay up later and work on weekends. It's actually starting to pay off.
Links:
Rai C
MS, Cert: CQA, CQE, CQM/OE, Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean
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Hello Bill,
I did exactly this recently; my recommendation -
1 - Study your day and week end activities, and prioritize them against your passion for your book. This will help you surface areas where you can cut to make more time.
2 - Try not to leave your job unless you have the financial resources to see you through - writing and getting published may take longer than you anticipate. Further - very few books sell in quantities that will sustain your expenses. Most of the money is made off speeches, seminars and training events based on the book.
3 - Try and manage the scope of the book. When I started my work, it seemed my book would be over 400 pages, and it felt like this would be a 10 year project. With careful pruning, I reduced the page count to 200 and got it done faster.
4 - Find good editors
5 - Decide early on - if you are going to self publish or find a publisher. The big ones may require significant convincing - be prepared...
I trust that helps.
Rai Chowdhary
rai_chowdhary@yahoo.com
