If you are passionate about writing, you may be wondering how hard it would be to make a living off of your work. After all, there are plenty of fiction writers who have made a lot of money from their books – we’ve all heard of J.K. Rowling’s rags-to-riches story after all. How hard can it really be?
As a longtime book reviewer based in Montreal, Canada, Jody Royer is now pursuing his own career as a fiction and sci-fi writer. Today he shares some of the challenges of making a living as a writer.
- First, you have to hone your craft. Not to say that you won’t make any money at the beginning of your career, but it often takes a lot of time and dedication to create something truly prolific.
- Perfectionism can get in the way. So many writers get stuck because they want to create the best piece they possibly can, and they never finish writing their books. Remember you are always going to be learning, and “finished” is often better than “perfect”.
- Creative blocks can be a huge struggle, especially when writing becomes a full-time job. Even if right now, it sounds like a dream to just sit in a coffee shop and write all day, don’t quit your day job. Having a life outside of writing often gives you the inspiration to write in the first place.
- Getting your book published can be frustrating. Many authors get rejected multiple times before their book is finally accepted. Finding an agent is essential for this process, and that can be a challenge in itself.
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