Q: I majored in finance and am completing my last semester in college. I’ve decided, however, that writing is my passion and I want to make a career out of it. There are two main problems. One is that I need money right away. I need to support my parents and my future wife and children. I don’t know if a writing career offers this. The second problem is where do I start? I don’t know how to start a writing career or where to go.
A: Congratulations on deciding to pursue your passion! As those of you know who have read my book, Getting from College to Career, I am 100% in favor of doing what you love for a living. However, you do have some very real concerns. The good news is that you have lots of options and many successful writers whose careers can inspire you.
My overall answer to both of your questions is, YES, you can make a very good living as a writer. I’m proud to say that I am doing this myself, through a combination of book writing, freelance article writing, ghostwriting for other authors, and creative copywriting for corporations and nonprofit organizations. It took me a few years to get to this point, but it’s been well worth the hard work to get here.
One of my favorite books on how to make money as a writer is Six-Figure Freelancing by Kelly James-Enger. I highly recommend it. Also, one of my tips to writers is to find a niche (mine, of course, is career writing). You could have a nice advantage with your training in finance. Business writing can be a lucrative choice if it’s something that interests you. If fiction writing is your passion, that’s a little harder, but absolutely possible. Check out Mediabistro.com and Gotham Writers’ Workshop for great classes (in person and online) on how to write well and how to build a successful career doing it. I’ve personally benefited from classes at both of these organizations.
In terms of needing money right now, you may need a strategy to earn a regular paycheck for a while as you build your writing career. I began my writing while working part-time at a women’s business association three days a week. This allowed me to save money in the bank, have health insurance and do a lot of writing for free to build my experience, skills and reputation. This might be a good option for you.
If necessary, you can even work full-time and build your writing on the side. At the same time, you can join professional associations related to writing, subscribe to magazines or e-newsletters related to the industry (such as Publishers Weekly, PublishersLunch.com and Mediabistro.com’s Daily News Feed) or, as I just mentioned, take classes to build your skills. All of this will keep you on track to be a full-time writer in the near future.
Finally, an important tip I always share with aspiring writers is to start hanging out with other people who are writing—or doing anything creative—for a living. If all of your friends are working in corporate cubicles, you’re more likely to feel frustrated than if you’re spending time with other people pursuing a passion for writing. I’m happy to be one of your online writing buddies.
Best of luck!
