This is the continuation of a previous post. For Part 1, click HERE.
With resounding enthusiasm, I bounded into my new writer without a job life. Two months later I finished the book I’d been trying to finish for close to a year. It coincided with my running out of money as well. I sent off roughly 20 query letters via email. I had another 10 to send out via post, which required money I didn’t have.
Then my printer ran out of ink. My phone ran out of credit, I couldn’t afford petrol for the car anymore and I couldn’t pay for time at the Internet café to conduct research. I went to my daddy and sullenly demanded for money. He gave me a resounding No and reminded me I had chosen to quit a paying job for a non-paying one and he wasn’t going to enable me. If I needed money, I had to go and get a job.
With resounding enthusiasm, I bounded into my new writer without a job life. Two months later I finished the book I’d been trying to finish for close to a year. It coincided with my running out of money as well. I sent off roughly 20 query letters via email. I had another 10 to send out via post, which required money I didn’t have.
Then my printer ran out of ink. My phone ran out of credit, I couldn’t afford petrol for the car anymore and I couldn’t pay for time at the Internet café to conduct research. I went to my daddy and sullenly demanded for money. He gave me a resounding No and reminded me I had chosen to quit a paying job for a non-paying one and he wasn’t going to enable me. If I needed money, I had to go and get a job.
I hacked it out for another month, during which I transferred my mum’s phone credits to my phone when she wasn’t looking or siphoned petrol from one of the other cars into my car when everyone had gone to bed, then quietly went back to job hunting. It took me 3 months to find one. It was an unpleasant experience and I fought with my daddy a lot because he felt I was being very irresponsible. I suppose he was also quite upset that he was indirectly funding my phase against his will after my mum gave the whole “she’s your daughter and it’s your job to take care of her speech.” As far as starving writers go, I didn’t get very far along at all. I was dismayed I had to give up full time writing to return to work but there really wasn’t any other option. Looking back, I wouldn’t exchange that experience for anything. It’s part of my battle scars as a writer and I remember it with fondness.
In an ideal world, I would love to follow my dreams. Quit my day job and find somewhere quiet to write for the rest of my life because that is my passion but unfortunately for me, I no longer have my daddy’s cheque book to fall back on plus I now actually have real bills like rent, meals and yep, debt that are not going to wait around for a million dollar book contract. I can only hope that eventually the income from writing will outweigh my bills thus providing me the opportunity to write full time. Or maybe I’ll get a call out of the blue to notify me a mad rich old aunt I never knew about just croaked and left me a million dollars. I can dream, can’t I?
Until then, I really do not have the nerve to pull another starving writer to be stunt but all the same I’m rooting for my friend and wish her the best of luck.
In an ideal world, I would love to follow my dreams. Quit my day job and find somewhere quiet to write for the rest of my life because that is my passion but unfortunately for me, I no longer have my daddy’s cheque book to fall back on plus I now actually have real bills like rent, meals and yep, debt that are not going to wait around for a million dollar book contract. I can only hope that eventually the income from writing will outweigh my bills thus providing me the opportunity to write full time. Or maybe I’ll get a call out of the blue to notify me a mad rich old aunt I never knew about just croaked and left me a million dollars. I can dream, can’t I?
Until then, I really do not have the nerve to pull another starving writer to be stunt but all the same I’m rooting for my friend and wish her the best of luck.
7 comments:
This is an interesting experience. I am a full time writer now but not a starving one, lol. I remember though that my best writing has always been when I was out of a job and had no other distractions.
This is very interesting. I like the way you write with a light touch of humour. I wish your friend luck too :). Subbing to your feed.
@Myne, that is correct. It's lucky that you can write full time. I'm working very hard towards the day when I can do the same thing.
@Anonymous, thanks for your comments. I'll pass the wishes onto my friend :). Keep reading.
This is food for thought. Maybe I should follow my passion too. As soon as I find out what it is :). Going to go back and read all your posts. I like the way your write.
Thanks for the compliment Jumoke. I'm sure you have something that you do that doesn't feel like work. Whatever it is, that's your passion. :)
Nice one. It is important to follow one's passion. It can be quite hard to do this because it requires discipline and focus but the rewards can be so much more fulfilling. Can you do a write up on how to go about this? Like a guide to discovering your passion or something? Thanks.
@Tomi, it does require discipline and focus. I will do a write up along the lines you suggested in a few weeks. Stay tuned!
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