Want To Quit Your Job To Write A Novel? I Did. Here’s what I learned.
I took a giant leap and did what so many writers dream of doing… I quit my job to work full-time on writing my novel. It was an amazing experience. One of many things I’ll forever be grateful to my awesome wife for not only allowing, but encouraging.
But this article is not a celebration of getting to live that dream for a year as much as it is a cautionary tale for those of you considering doing the same. There were many lessons I learned that I wish I knew before it began. If you’re thinking of making this leap to full-time writer. Here are a few things you may want to consider at the outset.
Find A Community
I am an introvert. I often joke that if it were up to me I would newspaper all the windows in my house, such is the extent I enjoy being alone. So the idea of finding a community never crossed my mind. But as the weeks and months passed, the more it became apparent that social interaction is necessary. Even for introverts. Who knew?
Humans are social animals and we need interaction. So no matter how much you think you’re going to enjoy sitting down in an empty house day after day, eventually you’re going to need to talk with someone. After all, you’re writing a novel, not spending time in solitary confinement.
And no the barista at Starbucks doesn’t count.
It doesn’t need to be every day and it doesn’t even need to be connected to writing, but I recommend peppering your schedule with some kind of group activity. Far from a being a distraction, it will actually help your morale, enhance your creativity, and grow your writing stamina.
Find A Hobby
When I was working, finding regular opportunities to write was difficult. Usually, it was early mornings or weekend afternoons (and then I felt guilty for spending time away from family). I know you know the struggle.
Because the opportunities were so rare I was always excited to write. So I was surprised to find that when all I did was write, my mind quickly fell into a rut. I don’t think it’s healthy to do one thing, all the time, day after day, week after week.
Our minds need stimulation in order to maintain creativity. You’re not a robot.If all you do is write you’re eventually going to be less productive and the quality of what you write will suffer. So for your sanity as well as your craft, consider finding something else to work on while you’re penning the next “Great American Novel.”
A Note On Finances
So perhaps you’re going to take the year off and write because you won the lottery. If so, feel free to skip this section. If not, read on.
When I embarked on my year of writing, I knew that I was going to need to cut back on many things in order to make it through the year. I assume you know this too, so I’m only going to touch on one nuance that surprised me.
The writing habits I developed before I quit my job we’re not the same habits I could afford after I quit my job. While it’s easy to make that cut on paper, you may not appreciate the effects of writing in new environments and under different conditions. If you’re a creature of habit, this might be problematic.
Here’s a brief illustration.
If every writing session you find that inspiration demands you crack open a $200 bottle of Chateau Something-Or-Other (that’s a made-up name in case you were going to look it up) it ’s easy to recognize you’re probably going to need to start slumming a bit. Still, when you twist off the plastic cap of a $10 box of wine for the first time, you may be startled to discover your creativity has vanished.
Rather than learning to write under new conditions after you’ve quit your job, give it a try beforehand. Learn to write within the confines of your new lifestyle before you have too. It will help immensely when you take the plunge and quit your job.
Set Realistic Goals
When you’re writing late at night, early in the mornings, or whatever time you can find on the weekends you may find it easy to be productive. Sometimes really productive.
That’s because while you’re working and doing all the things that you have to do as part of life, your writer’s mind isn’t dormant. It’s working hard behind the scenes on your novel so that when you finally sit down and put pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard the words flow like a fountain. A fast, beautiful, gorgeous, creative fountain.
So let’s say that during your current writing sessions you can knock out on average 500 words in 2 hours. Once you begin writing full-time, you may be tempted to think “If I can write 500 words in 2 hours, it means I can write 2000 words in eight hours.” While the math checks out, there’s still a good chance that you would be wrong. Very wrong.
Odds are that you will not write at the same rate for the whole day. Day after day. Again, you’re not a robot. Writing is a disciple, no doubt about it. But it’s a creative discipline. There will be ebbs and flows.
In my experience, the general trend was a bit parabolic. I started off strong, writing much more than I normally did. But the pace eventually slowed as I ran into issues of fatigue and isolation. Stress and self-doubt took an additional toll and my productivity further dwindled. Eventually, though, it picked back up as I gained confidence and grew accustomed to new habits.
Enjoy The Opportunity
Above all, if you are fortunate enough to get to quit your job to write, I encourage you to RELISH the opportunity. My biggest regret about the year was the amount of energy I spent second-guessing my decision, worrying about productivity, or feeling awkward telling people (including other writers) what I was doing.
The experience of being able to get up and spend the whole day writing…the whole day writing…is incredible. If you can do it, I truly hope you do.
Write on, Writes Josh
(I originally published this post on Medium.com through Live Your Life On Purpose - you can find it here.)