Day Jobs

[scheherazade]

Do you have a "day job" - something other than writing novels that you do to pay the bills? Have you found that certain jobs better complement the writing life?

As a writer, would you rather have a day job that:

- Helps you learn more about writing/editing/publishing, or stays far away from this realm so that you're not sick of it when it comes time to write?

- Is located close to home (or at home!) so that you waste no time on travel, or involves a long commute by bus/train/subway where you have nothing else to do but write?

- Inspires your writing with interesting situations and challenges, or is fairly boring and gives you time to daydream or even do some writing when things get slow?

- Pays good money, gives you pride in your work, but drains your energy and demands overtime; or is an entry-level position with minimal responsibility, that lets you work flexible hours or part-time, lets you work in an atmosphere that is fun/spirit-inspiring/outdoorsy/artistic/with animals/whatever your soul needs, but which doesn't give you a huge paycheck, or which you constantly have to defend to people around you who keep asking when you're going to get a "real job"?

[Jodotha]

I'm employed somewhere that has good pay and good benefits. LOL, I can't be picky! I do enjoy having a bit of thinking time whilst plunking away at the keyboard doing data entry. I'm also lucky enough to work in an office that has no problem with iPod's or random note taking. All in all, I guess I would fit under the entry-level category, with a sub-category of "fairly boring" :D

[Shara]

I spent a long time as a serial job-hopper, in a desperate quest to find a day job that would pay the bills and let me be creative.

But ultimately, what I want to do is write novels, and that doesn't pay at all (at least not until I start getting them published).

So now I have resigned myself to the fact that the writing and the day job must remain separate entities. In my day job, I am a Personal Assistant. It's not in the least creative, but I am good at it, and it pays reasonably well. And at the end of the day, I can leave the job behind and go home to my writing.

I work in London, and have over an hour's commute. I actually quite like that time. I don't do any writing during it - the train's too crowded for that. But it gives me thinking and note-making time, and more importantly, time to read. If not for the journey into work, I wouldn't get nearly enough time to read.

Shara

[Use Her Name]

I had a horrible job, now I am unemployed and looking for another. "Looking" has taken a back seat to finishing my novel for a while. It is the first time I have had a break for 10 years and I am mining it for every ounce of "real work" that I can get. I'm actually thinking of moving to Iowa City and sending in my application to the Iowa Writer's Workshop. That's the plan. I am already in Iowa, so I will get instate tuition if I am accepted. Sweet. So I am working my heart out on my 50 pages of writing.

[Mike Martyn]

I'm a lawyer and have been in private practice for the last 30 years and yes, it pays the bills.

My commute is a whole 5 minutes and so I take an hour and a half for lunch, go home and write.

In terms of providing grist for the writer's mill, it is a great job especially since my practice includes estates. The bereaved seem compelled to tell my all about their lives and that of the deceased. I listen attentively of course.

Some of it is fairly horrific in the event that dear old Dad was physically or mentally abusive. The stuff some of these people went through as children would make you weep. With luck I can change the names and places and make readers weep!

Last week a client told me that his father used to discipline him with a staple gun. Yes, that's right, he shot staples into his little kid's arms.

In terms of physical abuse, I thought I'd heard it all but the depths of human perfidity remain unplumbed.

[jillbrenna]

I'm a technical writer, which can work both for and against you. I've put together major books, so I kind of know what the mechanics of that are, but at the end of the day sometimes I'm so SICK of writing that I want to do something else. I guess I love to write anything - I can't help it! - which is what got me into this field for my "day job" as well.

[Quossum]

I'm a teacher, and while it does provide me with an excuse to read YA literature, it is a very emotionally draining job.

Summer vacation is nice, though. Very nice.

--Q

[C.M. Daniels]

I'm a forensic anthropologist/archaeologist/professor. My day job keeps me sane and keeps me writing. I actually find when I've got too much time on my hands (like a week off or the like) I don't get much writing in, when I've set that time aside for that task.

The day job thing also keeps a roof over my head, so I can't complain.

As for adding to my writing? I never would have though of majoring in anthropology as an undergrad if it weren't for one of my favorite authors saying how much her anthro degree helped her out as a writer.

[Chris Grey]

- Pays good money, gives you pride in your work, but drains your energy and demands overtime; or is an executive-level position with minimal responsibility, that lets you work flexible hours or part-time, lets you work in an atmosphere that is fun/spirit-inspiring/outdoorsy/artistic/with animals/whatever your soul needs, but which doesn't give you a huge paycheck, or which you constantly have to defend to people around you who keep asking when you're going to get a "real job"?


Fixed :poke:

I know people who make under $25k and work their arses off all day every day. I know people who make $250k and are ignorant, incompetent, and lazy sexual-harassment suits waiting to happen. It's not what you know, it's what you kiss.

Me, though, I'm happy with my career. It doesn't give me a lot of time to write, but nobody ever said being a time-travelling vampire hunter was easy.

[Clair Dickson]

A job? For better or for worse, I'm currently working four jobs. My primary job is as an alternative/ adult high school teacher. I love the job. It can be draining at times, but overall, it's a great place to work-- both the kids and staff. I have an unfortunate split shift in that I work 5 hours in the morning then 5 hours at night with about that many hours in between. I live 20 minutes away, so it sucks to make the trip repeatedly, but it's far too long between classes to stay in town.

My other jobs are parttime, flexible, and sporadic. But they pay real money, so I do it. I need the money.

I would love to be able to work less and write more. But, there are bills to pay. The electric company doesn't care that I love their service, they just want their money.

[astonwest]

I know people who make under $25k and work their arses off all day every day. I know people who make $250k and are ignorant, incompetent, and lazy sexual-harassment suits waiting to happen.Oddly, I know several people who are exactly the opposite...

[swvaughn]

I know people who make under $25k and work their arses off all day every day.


I am one of these people.

I work at McDonalds. I have at least made manager, but still . . . it ain't exactly conducive to my writing career. Then again, neither would being homeless and starving, I suppose.

Go ahead. Laugh. I am. (Laughing, that is.)

[Thrillride]

Last week a client told me that his father used to discipline him with a staple gun. Yes, that's right, he shot staples into his little kid's arms.

In terms of physical abuse, I thought I'd heard it all but the depths of human perfidity remain unplumbed.

SHUT UP.

That's horrific. Of course, I have heard of worse things, but there is something creepy about the fact that this person told you first-hand. Seems to me your job would be filled with story lines.

Great job you have, though. At one point, I thought I would make a good lawyer. My husband will tell you I'd make a great one.:D

Of course, I have no idea what he's talking about.

[Thrillride]

My income is supplemental to my husband's. I am a professional pet sitter and I own my own business. I can honestly tell you, I LOVE my job. The only work I would love better is earning a living with my writing.

I meet so many people (not to mention pets) that I have a rich pot of character to drawn from. And the emotions are right there. Animal people don't use much of a front with other animal people. It's cool.

There have been a handful of interesting experiences that I have had just from the technical aspects of the job - I have crawled through windows, been cornered by impossibly aggressive CATS (laugh if you will, but cats can be much scarier than dogs) and pulled deceased dogs from swimming pools (on Thanksgiving). I have cradled beloved pets for their owners as they passed from one life to the next, held crystal food dishes up for discriminating dogs, and as time passes, watch families grow up, pets grow old and new pets brought home.

I have watched over exotic species such as pythons, macaws, hedgehogs, iguanas, ferrets, potibellied pigs, tarantulas and walking sticks. I am often out late at night to tuck pets in and give them one last potty break, so night visits can be interesting in unfamiliar residences.

I'm proud of the fact that I am pretty handy with alarm systems and I am trying not to break my perfect record of not meeting the boys in blue up close and personal.

All of it is fodder for stories, but I haven't been able to use much of it yet for some reason. It could be because I usually write suspense. Suspense with pet sitting, if written well, typically comes out funny. If it's written less than well, it's just cheesy. I honestly haven't run into a bonafide intense pet sitting thriller yet.:D

[Topaz044]

I work at Staples with six different positions-copy and printer center associate, computer salesperson, cashier, furniture associate, customer service associate, and lately inventory control specialist. In my spare time I'm a web designer as well as a writer. And I play house too.

Like my writing, I try and do everything at once. And am I ashamed of working at Staples? Not at all. There are plenty of worst jobs out there, fast food being the foremost. There are also better jobs I could get, but I will apply for them when I stop being happy where I am now.

[Sunshine13]

My day job? I have several titles I could put here. I'm a stay at home mom, so I hardly get anything done during the day writing wise. With my kid, the house, and my husband to take care of, writing happens at nap time (or it did up until I got pregnant and now I find myself taking naps too) and at night time (which not as much because night time is when my morning sickness really kicks in).

So I was getting productive a month ago, not so much now. It sucks when the only time you really have to write you feel like crap. Ah, the life of being pregnant.

Prior to this I was a manager for a major electronic retail store. I enjoyed it, I was good at it, but I never had the energy to write. I think getting laid off was the best thing that ever happened cause I got Unemployment, so essentially was being paid to write. Woohoo!

But now I don't get paid at all! Unless love counts. ;)

[Chasing the Horizon]

I work from home refurbishing computers. I love it because the whole business is done online, I never have to talk with people face to face or leave the house except to go to the post office. This means I never really have to come out of my fantasy world. With gas over $4.00 a gallon I couldn't afford to drive to a job anyway.

I used to work in an office (real estate). The one important lesson I learned is that I absolutely cannot work in an office with other people. People suck. I'm very content spending my life alone with my computers (be it fixing them or writing on them).

[Thrillride]

My day job? I have several titles I could put here. I'm a stay at home mom, so I hardly get anything done during the day writing wise. With my kid, the house, and my husband to take care of, writing happens at nap time (or it did up until I got pregnant and now I find myself taking naps too) and at night time (which not as much because night time is when my morning sickness really kicks in).

So I was getting productive a month ago, not so much now. It sucks when the only time you really have to write you feel like crap. Ah, the life of being pregnant.

Prior to this I was a manager for a major electronic retail store. I enjoyed it, I was good at it, but I never had the energy to write. I think getting laid off was the best thing that ever happened cause I got Unemployment, so essentially was being paid to write. Woohoo!

But now I don't get paid at all! Unless love counts. ;)


Oh yeah...I hear ya, sistah. I have four kids as well as my business. Right now, everyone is either swimming or out and I am back here hiding...and trying to get an article done while hangin' out at AW.

[scheherazade]

In terms of providing grist for the writer's mill, it is a great job especially since my practice includes estates. The bereaved seem compelled to tell my all about their lives and that of the deceased. I listen attentively of course. Some of it is fairly horrific in the event that dear old Dad was physically or mentally abusive. The stuff some of these people went through as children would make you weep. With luck I can change the names and places and make readers weep!

I'm so jealous of work with that kind of side-benefit! I got no real insight into the human condition in my last job as office minion (though I did learn that the more normal people seem, the crazier they really are...) but sometimes I wonder if I need to go into some sort of social service job out of a mostly selfish intention of finding material that I can combine and intertwine until it's unrecognizable but still authentic. ;)

[Joycecwilliams]

I don't have a 9-5 day job.. however I have 3 jobs.

Writing a weekly column
Taking minutes for Town Officials
Work for Weight Watchers

[scheherazade]

I know people who make under $25k and work their arses off all day every day. I know people who make $250k and are ignorant, incompetent, and lazy sexual-harassment suits waiting to happen. It's not what you know, it's what you kiss.

You're right, that's true, especially in a competitive industry where there is a ladder to climb - like the corporate world or media - and the young people must prove themselves for peanuts. And I don't deny that people in the retail sector work their butts off. But there are a lot of "entry-level" jobs that don't have a lot of responsibility involved.

I just left a pretty decent office job. It was an "entry-level" government job for someone with a Masters degree. There was certainly opportunity for me to take initiative and prove myself, but I realized about 5 minutes into the job that I had about zero interest in staying in that field. The job payed well and I continued to go in for 2 years, doing what was expected of me as quickly and politely as possible. But I never stuck my neck out for more work or asked for new challenges (partly because I was insecure, partly because the office world just completely drained me, and partly because I didn't like encouraging myself to find my success in such an undesirable workplace). I always made myself available as an assistant to people, but a lot of times they just couldn't be bothered to explain what they needed. So I was going home at 5:00 every day while they were taking work home over the weekend. I figured it was the least responsibility I could have for the highest pay.

Granted, I don't necessarily feel good about myself for being so useless. But I really found that work environment emotionally draining and figured it was better for me, and ultimately for my employers, if I did my best to preserve my sanity rather than push myself beyond for work that mattered little in the greater scheme of things.

[Hollan]

I used to teach English. While I loved it, it didn't give me a lot of free time for writing. Now I'm trying my hand at freelance writing so I can work from home. But it still cuts into my novel writing time.

However, since I'm going to grad school next year to become a professor that's going to cut into my writing time even more heavily. Oh well.

[scheherazade]

I don't have a 9-5 day job.. however I have 3 jobs.

Writing a weekly column
Taking minutes for Town Officials
Work for Weight Watchers

I think I'm moving toward the "multiple income source" way of living. You might lose out on some of the benefits but sometimes the variety can be nice. I'm a Gemini, so that's an asset to me. :) Do you prefer to work in multiple jobs or do you think eventually you might streamline into one main position?

[ishtar'sgate]

Thankfully I no longer work outside the home but I completed the majority of my first novel while working as a conveyancing paralegal in an extremely busy law firm. I didn't look for a job that complimented my writing in any way or was close to home, I looked for a job that was interesting and challenging. I got it - in spades. The job paid well, demanded my full attention and involved a tremendous amount of overtime during the summer months. I thrived on the pressure and deadlines. I was very satisfied with my job and I think that's what enabled me to keep writing despite the long hours. A boring job would have frustrated me and I wouldn't write. A job within the publishing business would have sucked my creativity and I wouldn't write. My choice was perfect for me.
Linnea

[AndrewHallOnline]

Office manager, bookkeeper...not terribly exciting, but not terribly boring either.

[Clarec]

Currently I'm a SAHM so have the usual no-time-for-writing unless my daughter is sleeping or like now, late at night. In September I return to work as a legal secretary so the writing routine should be much the same, I imagine.

Linnea, I've done conveyancing too. I much prefer it over the commercial side, which is more than likely what I'll have to go back to. Oh well, it pays the bills.

Clare

[Chameleon]

I substitute teach by day, go to law school by night. But it's summer vacation now, so I can fully dedicate my time to school and writing.

[Faolmor]

I'm currently working for a university, managing off-shore projects in Africa. I have been a nurse, an English teacher, an editor, an admin officer...and heaps of other stuff. I find it all gives me experience which I can then use to add depth and realism to my WIPs.

[Mumut]

I've recently retired so I'm now a full-time domestic servant. I do find I have to put as much planning into my day as when I was working. I can make more speaking engagements and booksignings so I travel more but then there is less cash coming in to do all of this. So it's a balance as well.

[Manderley]

I'm a freelance journalist, working from my home office. I find that fairly good for my novel writing, as long as I'm able to say NO to new projects. I'm trying to keep Wednesdays free for novel writing, but I'm not doing too good on that. So far I've taken 3 Wednesdays off... Need to learn to say no to clients and money.

[tehuti88]

Do you have a "day job" - something other than writing novels that you do to pay the bills? Have you found that certain jobs better complement the writing life?

I'm disabled, and so don't work. That does mean I have plenty of time to work on my writing.

I was going to go over all the options you offered, but the mere thought of a job interacting with or having to do things just right for other people terrifies me so much that I don't think I'd prefer either in any situation! *blush* I'm just so used to things as they are now that anything else would severely jar me.

Unless it was REALLY specifically related to an interest of mine...and there was no way I could really do something terribly wrong...and I didn't have to interact with people much. Or at all.

And it left time to write.

Which pretty much nullifies anything!

[lorcan]

I've had day jobs for years, and none were really ideal. Even a library job I had was so physically demanding (on your feet all day; constant customer interaction which can drain your mental energy, especially when you have agitated ones; physical labor including pushing 200-lb carts and loading and unloading book bins) that I was usually too tired to do anything but crash at the end of the day.

My current day job, though, is my freelance writing. A lot of it is commercial copywriting, which pays decently, and some features for different publications as well as some public relations and marketing. My "real" writing is my novel. The freelancing is great because I can mostly work from home, which means I don't waste much time with commuting. (I do have to leave the house for meetings and interviews on occasion, and I always have to make time to do lunches with editors and friends to alleviate cabin fever.)

Still, it can be difficult because I'm still trying to figure out boundaries, i.e., working from home theoretically means I can work all the time. I still have to work out my schedule so that I make time to actually write that novel. Also, expending your energy writing all day again means having little of that mental muscle left over to do my "real" writing.

So it's still a struggle. But then again, I wouldn't go back to another office job. I think I've become allergic to cubicles and fluorescent lights.

Cheers,
Marjorie

[Mike Martyn]

SHUT UP.

That's horrific. Of course, I have heard of worse things, but there is something creepy about the fact that this person told you first-hand. Seems to me your job would be filled with story lines.

Great job you have, though. At one point, I thought I would make a good lawyer. My husband will tell you I'd make a great one.:D

Of course, I have no idea what he's talking about.

Reply: I too have heard worse things directly from clients, usually of the sexual abuse variety. Somehow though the sheer cruelty of shooting staples into a little kid's arms really gets to you.

But yes, it is a great job for collecting story lines. Unfortunately the very best ones are so improbable that most editors would reject them.

[blueobsidian]

I work as a baker. Writing is not my only passion, so I pursued another one of them as a means to pay the bills and maintain health insurance. It is very physical and often requires overtime, so I wouldn't say that it is condusive to writing. However, I love to bake as much as I love to write so it's worth it to me.

My problem has always been that I am interested in everything. I think that is a large reason why I am a writer -- it allows me to follow all my interests in dreams.

I would love to make a transition to a full time freelance writer, with a specialty in food. However, for right now I am not sure it would be a good idea to give up that experience in the field (and those interesting characters I work with).

[MelancholyMan]

Do you have a "day job" - something other than writing novels that you do to pay the bills? Have you found that certain jobs better complement the writing life?

Oh yes, we all have jobs. Or are looking for them. Or are students. The job that best compliments the writer's life is the one that doesn't wear you out. When I am tired I can't write.

As a writer, would you rather have a day job that:

- Helps you learn more about writing/editing/publishing, or stays far away from this realm so that you're not sick of it when it comes time to write?

This would be awesome, if it was a choice, because you could network an make connections that might help you when it is time to publish. And if you really love writing, I don't think you'd get sick of it.

- Is located close to home (or at home!) so that you waste no time on travel, or involves a long commute by bus/train/subway where you have nothing else to do but write?

Anything that leaves you more time to work is a plus.

- Inspires your writing with interesting situations and challenges, or is fairly boring and gives you time to daydream or even do some writing when things get slow?

Boring tends to kill creativity rather than enhance it.

- Pays good money, gives you pride in your work, but drains your energy and demands overtime; or is an entry-level position with minimal responsibility, that lets you work flexible hours or part-time, lets you work in an atmosphere that is fun/spirit-inspiring/outdoorsy/artistic/with animals/whatever your soul needs, but which doesn't give you a huge paycheck, or which you constantly have to defend to people around you who keep asking when you're going to get a "real job"?

I have a great job, with awesome pay, in a career that I hate. Try that one. I'm a rocket scientist and I really enjoy the science, but the day-to-day government contracting aspect just tends to suck all the life out of me. So I can pay the bills an live a comfortable (not extravangant - the pay isn't that good) lifestyle, but it completely destroys my creativity.

But how many of us really have a choice in what we do?

-MM

[scheherazade]

I have a great job, with awesome pay, in a career that I hate. Try that one. I'm a rocket scientist and I really enjoy the science, but the day-to-day government contracting aspect just tends to suck all the life out of me. So I can pay the bills an live a comfortable (not extravangant - the pay isn't that good) lifestyle, but it completely destroys my creativity.

That's pretty much like my last job, only my title was about as boring as the work, so I didn't even have the benefit of telling people I meet that I'm a rocket scientist. :) From experience, I've found it's much more interesting to introduce yourself at a writers workshop and say you're a cancer researcher than it is to say you work at a company that manages health services.

But how many of us really have a choice in what we do?

Well, the reason I asked this question was because I'm faced with this choice right now. I'm young enough that I can go back to school to gain technical skills, launch a career using some of the diverse education and training I've already completed, or find a intriguing job that doesn't require so much training but which strikes my fancy. I'm sure I'm not the only young writer on this board who is trying to figure out a career that will be the best fit for a life in writing.

I've worked briefly in medical research and policy, taken courses in publishing and advertising, and I'm still thinking about going back to school for something more job-oriented, like nursing or teaching. I have a tendency to invest way too much energy in pursuing a route that ultimately I truly dislike (eg, policy work). So I'm torn as to whether I should just find some interesting but non-career-oriented job in the tourism industry or outdoors or abroad, or invest a lot of time and energy (and probably make it difficult to get any writing done for a few years) to get job training. Or whether to work in one of the few jobs in my field that I would actually enjoy (medical research), which pays slightly more than minimum wage and has almost no opportunity for advancement without going back to school.

So, hearing what other people do to pay the bills has been inspiring, but probably raises more questions than it answers!

[keekum]

i'll start teaching english at a high school this fall. i'm also a fledgling writer.

question for all teachers: are you usually able to get a lot of writing done during the summer? i'm planning to take advantage of my summers, though i'm wondering if this is a fool's hope.

[imagoodgurl4]

I'm an architectural designer, so I spend 10 hrs a day in an office designing houses and creating construction drawings so that the contractor can build it. But, I get Tuesdays off every week, so that helps free up my schedule, so now I have three days a week to write instead of two. It's nice though, because architecture is also another of my passions, so I don't always mind going to work every day. I should hope not, anyway, since I'm paying back all those student loans now, too. Hahaha.

[Doogs]

Do you have a "day job" - something other than writing novels that you do to pay the bills? Have you found that certain jobs better complement the writing life?

Everybody's different. Personally, I find a job that engages me intellectually goes along way in keeping those creative juices flowing. And I've found that the job and the writing sort of feed into each other in a self-sustaining cycle.

As a writer, would you rather have a day job that:

- Helps you learn more about writing/editing/publishing, or stays far away from this realm so that you're not sick of it when it comes time to write?

Well, my title at work is "writer", so I guess that one answers itself. Though I will hasten to add that writing educational-type content for consumer electronics is world's different from writing novels about Ancient Rome.

- Is located close to home (or at home!) so that you waste no time on travel, or involves a long commute by bus/train/subway where you have nothing else to do but write?

I commute by car, about eleven miles. But...I usually leave the house at 7, miss traffic, reach downtown in 10-15 minutes, and set up at a favorite coffee shop for a good hour and a half of writing before driving the final distance to the office. Saves on gas, saves on time, and that 7-9 window is about the only time of day it isn't unbearable here in Central Texas this time of year.

- Inspires your writing with interesting situations and challenges, or is fairly boring and gives you time to daydream or even do some writing when things get slow?

Neither. I love my job. I love the people and challenges and the whole atmosphere of the place, but apart from keeping my mind sharp, it doesn't play any role in my novel writing.

- Pays good money, gives you pride in your work, but drains your energy and demands overtime; or is an entry-level position with minimal responsibility, that lets you work flexible hours or part-time, lets you work in an atmosphere that is fun/spirit-inspiring/outdoorsy/artistic/with animals/whatever your soul needs, but which doesn't give you a huge paycheck, or which you constantly have to defend to people around you who keep asking when you're going to get a "real job"?

My job pays good money, gives me pride in my work, demands some overtime but also gives a lot of freedom to come in late/leave early. I work with people I genuinely like, and in a fun, invigorating environment. Work doesn't have to be an either/or.

[darrtwish]

Nope. I am a high school student though, and my school work takes up a considerable amount of time.

[slcboston]

Work is a necessary evil. :D

The commute aspect isn't, but I'm working on shortening that.

As for coinciding with my skills, I'm an editor, so there is some overlap, but I'm not even remotely in the side of the publishing industry that has anything to do with what I write. They're separate, which I think actually makes things a little easier.

[ORION]

I wrote my first novel in the summers between teaching! I taught high school science.
I found I needed a job that gave me long periods of uninterrupted time coupled with periods of frenzy lol!
Now that I am writing/touring/researching/promoting full time I have even LESS time to write.

[maestrowork]

Now that I am writing/touring/researching/promoting full time I have even LESS time to write.

Ain't that the truth! I found it almost impossible to write the year after my book came out. Now that I'm finally focusing back on the WIP.

I also do freelance stuff and some far-and-between acting gigs. I also do investment. I think I'll have a hard time going back to corporate life. Just not for me anymore.

[Blondchen]

I have a job where I work for 7-9 months, then have a fews weeks or months off, then back to the grind. I managed to use my last hiatus to edit the novel I'm currently shopping, which worked out really well. Unfortunately I won't have my current WIP done by the time I wrap out again at the end of August. Then again, I don't have another gig lined up yet so I may actually have nothing else to do for awhile!

[DeeCaudill]

I'm an academic librarian. It's easy to get distracted by all the books, but I don't get tripped up on research when I need to do it. I also have to keep up with what's going on in publishing to make informed purchases for my library. Working reference I learn a little bit about a lot of different things.

[goldenquince]

i'll start teaching english at a high school this fall. i'm also a fledgling writer.

question for all teachers: are you usually able to get a lot of writing done during the summer? i'm planning to take advantage of my summers, though i'm wondering if this is a fool's hope.


This is what I'll be doing soon too...I'm not particularly hot about teaching, but it's better than most jobs in my opinion.

Presently, I work as a graphic artist--I draw all day with sharpies and prismacolor markers--and I'm in grad school.

[Joycecwilliams]

I think I'm moving toward the "multiple income source" way of living. You might lose out on some of the benefits but sometimes the variety can be nice. I'm a Gemini, so that's an asset to me. :) Do you prefer to work in multiple jobs or do you think eventually you might streamline into one main position?

Ideally I would like to have one job, that I love. My problem is I am raising my grandchildren. So working a full time 8-4 etc.. doesn't work for me. I am serious thinking of getting a full time job in the evenings in the fall... for the money and for my sanity.

[Melenka]

In terms of physical abuse, I thought I'd heard it all...

You know, I thought that in terms of the stupid things people think it's okay to do at work. Almost seven years later, I am convinced that there are infinite ways to screw up, offend coworkers, say just the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time, abuse a power differential, etc. And we only handle the ones that might get [insert organization name here] sued - i.e., harassment, discrimination, ADA violations, etc.

No one I know wants my job, but I love it. I have the best boss in the world, awesome benefits, and the mediocre pay that comes along with this field. The beauty of that is that I am not of a pay grade to be responsible for the heavy duty work. I just have to keep things running smoothly.

I never take my job home with me, which leaves me free to write. Providing the family lets me, of course.

[scheherazade]

Nope. I am a high school student though, and my school work takes up a considerable amount of time.

I'd say that still counts as a "day job" as far as the writing/non-writing dichotomy goes. As do stay-at-home-mommying, university-studenting, Olympics-training, and any other major commitments that draw time away from writing but potentially also provide a source of material.

[scribbler1382]

I'm a Technical Writer by day. There's some merit to the thinking that a writing job can burn you out for personal writing, but the fact is, writing is the only thing I know how to do. And short of hitting the bestseller list, Technical Writing is the best paying gig a writer can get. There are trade-offs, of course. I'm in the software industry, so there's always a TON of training eating up what little brain I have left. And a few times a year when big releases happen, I end up working crazy hours. But in-between that, I can write during my commute and get to work at home a day or so a week now, which gives me the time I would have commuted to write. If I have to have a job, this is the best kind for me. And as I often say, it's better than working for a living. :)

[Lady Cat]

I worked for five years in the soul sucking pit of despair named the Call Centre. After a year and a half of getting yelled at over the phone by customers calling in to complain about their bills or their internet connection, I had to take a medical leave of absence for stress.

After I came back I worked on a chat campaign which was only marginally better (I was on medication and the customers yelled at you in type instead of over the phone). However, just recently myself and four others were "terminated" when the chat campaign was moved to Manilla.

So now I've got lots of free time to enjoy the summer, I mean to write, while the government decides whether or not I deserve to go back to school to upgrade my skills so I can find a job I can actually live with.

[Hailey-Edwards]

I am a SAHM. When I got a letter of interest my DH cleared out the guest room and turned it into an office which I promptly turned into a library with a tiny corner for my computer.

I am a sub for my DD's school, teach a weekly art class there, as well as plan and organize all the field trips her class takes. As the only SAHM, I also bring home kids whose parent's can't make it to the school by 3 to pick them up.

So, I work a lot and don't get paid at all. It's important to have a positive, active presence in your child's life and education so that's what keeps me going. I enjoy it most days, but some times I just want to curl up in the office and read....

[lawtowriting]

As my screen name suggests, I'm a lawyer. The hours are long which doesn't leave a lot of time for writing but I've forced myself to make it a priority to find time.

[Reilly616]

I am a student. Still in secondary school. I intent to become a barrister.

[WannabeWriter]

My day job is not bad at all, but I still can be tired upon coming home, making it hard to write sometimes.

[The Grift]

Currently a law clerk to a judge, moving into private practice as an attorney for a BIG firm in the fall. What's with all these lawyers?

As far as time for writing, I make it when I am motivated, regardless of the often long long hours I work. Unfortunately I haven't made the time lately.

You never find time for writing, working out, spending time with the family, etc... you make it.

[Takvah]

Mortgage Broker... obviously I have lots of time on my hands as of late to write to my heart's content. Hoofah!

[Quossum]

i'll start teaching english at a high school this fall. i'm also a fledgling writer.

question for all teachers: are you usually able to get a lot of writing done during the summer? i'm planning to take advantage of my summers, though i'm wondering if this is a fool's hope.

I'm a teacher and yes, I get an insane amount of writing done during the summer. Summer is also a good time for extensive editing.

Unfortunately, this means I get terribly depressed when the school year starts again and the writing time goes away.

--Q

[Cav Guy]

I work at a university as support staff (means that I coordinate the department budget, babysit faculty, and generally help the students as much as I can), which can be draining. It also doesn't pay well, which creates stress as well. The work relates to my interests in a way, which helps keep me writing motivated (although my projects do scatter from time to time).

Been working on finishing things, which is of course the best way to get them ready for submissions....

[Straka]

I do marketing and graphic design and I'm pretty happy with it. Though someday I'd like to write full time like I could when I was unemployed. That was sweeter than wine.

[crazynance]

I worked for five years in the soul sucking pit of despair named the Call Centre. After a year and a half of getting yelled at over the phone by customers calling in to complain about their bills or their internet connection, I had to take a medical leave of absence for stress.

After I came back I worked on a chat campaign which was only marginally better (I was on medication and the customers yelled at you in type instead of over the phone). However, just recently myself and four others were "terminated" when the chat campaign was moved to Manilla.

So now I've got lots of free time to enjoy the summer, I mean to write, while the government decides whether or not I deserve to go back to school to upgrade my skills so I can find a job I can actually live with.

...
...

... but... you met ME there!...is you not feeling of teh big loveness?

btw- I left that job too; now I manage my dad's office. I watches the monies that comes and goes... ^)^ uh, yeah, I was on LOLcats earlier, why?

[red hawk]

I work as a contractor for the Department of Homeland Security, its brainless work. In fact I feel like the longer I say here the more brain cells I might start to lose. It is however stable especially in this economy, and it a (9-5) job, well really I work from 6:30 to 4pm. I’m also dedicated cyclist, I race both mountain and road.

[Alpha Echo]

I am an admin. assistant. Sometimes, some interesting things happen, most of the time not so much.

But the beneifts are great. I LOVE the people I support and have made one of my very good friends in my coworker.

And the best part is that I have a ton of time to write while I'm at work. In fact, most of my two complete novels have been written and revised while at work.

Shhhh...don't tell my boss.

[Coconino]

I am a librarian.

[Renfaery]

My day job is taking care of my 10 month old son, but if I had a "real" one that payed here is what I would like it to be:

-Any pay so long as it would cover a baby sitter
-Part time or flexible hours
-Close to home
-Something that could be done with minimal brain effort, so that my mind would unconsciously toy with writing things while I worked
-The ability to have a notebook on hand for writing down any particularly great thoughts would be Spot On

[pretticute80]

I work full-time as a clinical social worker with adolescent sex offender and do contract work with dually diagnosed adults. Usually I am able to flex my time so I have either Fridays or Mondays off so I write the most on those days but really, unless I am in therapy, I have a lot of time to devote to writing.
Sadly, http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/e2cry.gif I don’t.

[smoore]

My writing is completely orthogonal to my day job, which is good--between writing and tickling the ivory a little, I can relax. Plus reading, which all writers have to do. That said, my scientific background which pays the bills also underpins my writing. When I write sci-fi, for example, I can and try to make the science reasonable, even if it's an extrapolation. For my techno-thrillers, the emphasis is less on the science. So...I guess my answer is not very conclusive.

[z10]

i'm a philosopher by qualification
(and i stack shelves)