Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Is it worth it?

This is topic Is it worth it? in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by M.D. Westbrook (Member # 2988) on :

All right, here is the problem. I just quit basketball so i could have more time to write. My father was fine with it, but my mom thinks that it is a waste of my time and should get a job.

So the only way i can write without getting only two hours of sleep, is by showing her that i can make some money off of the hobby. What is the quickest way i can make some dough, and a good amount of it to impress someone with?

[This message has been edited by M.D. Westbrook (edited November 22, 2005).]

Posted by rcorporon (Member # 2879) on :

Hmmmm... you're in a tough situation. Writing for money is different than writing as a hobby. When you write as a hobby, you write what you want, how you want it. Writing for money is more hit or miss, as there is never a guarantee (Unless your last name is King, Clancy, Brown, etc).

I'd say you're in a tricky situation. What will happen if you don't sell stories?

Posted by Shendülféa (Member # 2964) on :

I don't think there really is a quick way when it comes to writing. It's a lot of work and it could take years before you get any money from it. Many writers don't live off of their writing alone. They work other jobs and do writing whenever they can. I believe it is only the most accomplished writers--the ones everybody knows about--that actually live off of what they make from their stories.

Sorry, there's no quick and easy way to make money in the field of writing (unless there's some secret way that I don't know about and everyone is refusing to reveal to me. )

Posted by autumnmuse (Member # 2136) on :

One way to get started, though by no means a get-rich-quick scheme, is to research some non-fiction markets. Look for publications dealing with things you are already interested in, do some research on the topic, submit a query.

It's a fair amount of work, but it can yield a little money sometimes more quickly than genre writing. (Note to self: take own advice.)

Posted by Leigh (Member # 2901) on :

Writing and aiming for money in my opinion is a bad thing. We should all aim for trying to get a story published, then we get paid

but we shouldn't think about the money until we get published.

Writing as a hobby is something I do. I work part time at the local supermarket, whilst living at home and my parents don't really care as long as they don't have to pay a thing for me. Writing is something I would love as a career goal, but I may have to do something else until I finally hit the big time. (The big time becoming #1 book on the New York Times Best Sellers List! )

Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :

The only reliable way to make money through writing is to go into technical or marketing writing as a staff writer for a corporation. You can charge significantly higher rates as a freelancer (technical writer or marketing writer) but the income stream is less consistent and you will spend more time hustling for your next gig than you will writing.

You can also be quite profitable writing non-fiction magazine articles, especially for dull trade magazines.

If what you mean is "how do I make money writing fiction," it is my understanding that porn markets, especially in some of the kinkier niches, can be quite profitable and easy to break into.

If you've got your heart set on making a fortune as a genre writer, well, good luck.

Posted by TL 601 (Member # 2730) on :

Beth, email me some info on those porn markets..

Posted by Beth (Member # 2192) on :

I don't really have much, I am afraid, but I will see what I can pull together for you when I get back.

Posted by Lord Darkstorm (Member # 1610) on :

Hmm, I see a hole in the logic somewhere. If you were playing basketball still...then you would be out making nothing, and unless you are 6'6" or taller and an exceptional player I doubt it will ever make you any money.

So how does writing, which improves communication skills that almost every professional job specifies you have to have, not benifit you?

I don't think you will find many writing jobs that don't require experience. But it wouldn't hurt to look.

Good luck.

Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :

Well, after, let me see, thirty years of trying to make something off my writing, I have yet to make anything beyond a free copy of an issue my story appeared in. (I don't count these as professional publications.) I had hoped to have more success than that.

I'm a realist, though (well, more or less), and have pursued other avenues of revenue, to provide a comfortable living while still trying to turn out this and that in my spare time. Also I've pursued completely uncommercial avenues to practice my craft.

But I'm still hopeful of eventual success, and there are always other stories lying around in my mind waiting to be written. They say the joy is in the doing, and I've gotten that, but, still, I'd rather have had the money...

Posted by Kickle (Member # 1934) on :

I ageee with Autumnmuse. Also I noticed on F&F that you have a local newpaper. How about telling the editor of that paper that you are trying to become a writer and see if he/she has any part time jobs or suggestions. I am very slow at writing fiction, but I can turn out nonfiction quickly. With no prior experience I sold 4 articles this summer to a small magazine Though it didn't make me rich, it did pay for my fiction writing expences.
Seeing your name in print may be as important to your mother as the cash.

[This message has been edited by Kickle (edited November 22, 2005).]

Posted by sojoyful (Member # 2997) on :

Just my $0.02...

I'm not dissing writing (why would I do that here?) but sometimes moms have a point. We have all had times where we wanted something but we had to lessen or defer it because more practical matters took precidence. It doesn't sound like your mom is condemning your interest, but rather trying to encourage you to get some very useful real-life experience. There will always be time to write, but especially depending on your stage in life, what you learn at a job might be very important and useful to you.

I think the only way to convince your mom is to actually convince her. That is, actually make money writing, not find a way quick way of getting around it so you can 'impress' her into agreeing with you. (And we shouldn't try to dupe our moms! Unless she's Cinderella's stepmom, abusive or pure evil, she's Mom, and that's sacred.)

That said, as some folks have suggested, you might find work at a local newspaper or other publication. Also, that would show Mom that you're serious about writing as more than just a money-making hobby, even. It might lend some credence to the profession in her eyes. Good luck!

(Boy, for someone who's not a mom, I sure sound like one. I haven't had my coffee yet...)

Edited for spelling.

[This message has been edited by sojoyful (edited November 22, 2005).]

Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :

Fiction Factor is a particularly useful resource for writers.
http://www.fictionfactor.com

They also have links to 7 genre-specific sister sites, each focusing on a specific fiction writing niche: Here you'll find descriptions of and links to Romance Factor, Horror Factor, Fantasy Factor, Children's Fiction Factor, Erotica Factor, Freelance Factor and Christian Fiction Factor.

Fiction Factor usually provides information about markets, as well as tips for writing. They have a monthly newsletter which always contains information about current markets. FF is a great resource.

Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :

From the time I started writing to the time I published my first non-fiction article was 6-months, very first query. It took another ten years to publish my first fiction.

Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :

Another comment of caution: in Jack Williamson's "Seventy-Five: The Diamond Anniversary of a Science Fiction Pioneer," among many other extremely interesting things, there's a chronology of his career, that (among *other* other things), lists his writing income from 1929 through 1973. I concede that things were cheaper in those years, but only in a few of those years does the stated income strike me as "a good living from writing." His income was also seriously up and down, and it was often (and as late as 1960) below four figures.

Remember, too, that Williamson was (and is) one of the top SF writers of all time.

Posted by D_James_Larkin (Member # 3007) on :

You know, Stephen King says in his book ‘On Writing’ that one of the most often asked questions is along the lines of “Do you do it for the money, honey?” He answers “NO. Don’t now and never did.” His point being that he writes because it fulfilled him.

With only 2-5% of PUBLISHED novel-writers supporting themselves from writing, you had better be doing it for the ‘love of the craft” or you may wither in hardship and discontent.

I say this not to discourage your writing, but rather for you to really ask yourself what your motivation for doing it is. If your answer is one of “you want to write for writings sake”… proceed with it on the side and see where it takes you in your lifetime.

This is all just advice. You will decide and do what you will, but these forums are here to act as a voice when you are having a hard time deciding for yourself and want a second opinion. Of course, mine appears to be about the *pointing his finger at the list as he reads down the post counting* twelfth opinion. But I hope it helps none-the-less.

[This message has been edited by D_James_Larkin (edited November 25, 2005).]

Posted by Leigh (Member # 2901) on :

quote:
With only 2-5% of PUBLISHED novel-writers supporting themselves from writing, you had better be doing it for the ‘love of the craft” or you may wither in hardship and discontent.

I think everyone of us has the "love of the craft". I know I do, I currently live at home, I work several hours a week supporting myself with the money I earn. I'm also trying to save for a tertiery education course which can take me into several different areas of the business.

Writing is something I pass my time with, if I get published, become a world wide success, earning lots of money out of it, then and only then will I quit my day job to become just an author.

Posted by D_James_Larkin (Member # 3007) on :

Interesting... I am surprised (or maybe I shouldn't be) that the topic-starter is conspicuously absent. Or maybe wishes to wait a greater period of time before commenting on solicited feedback.

*knock .. knock.. knock* "Mr. Westbrook, are you in there?"

Yelled from behind the door "He's playing ball. Go away."

[This message has been edited by D_James_Larkin (edited November 27, 2005).]

Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :

While the advice about writing for money is one concern, the red flag for me is writing for validation from you mom. Unless you are not an adult yet, and then it's healthy to care what your parents think. Especially if they are paying for college or something. If basketball would have gotten you a scholarship to college, you should get back with that. Other than that, I think sports is kind of a waste of time unless it pays.

Posted by lehollis (Member # 2883) on :

Has your mom seen your writing? Maybe you don't need to make money, but show her that you're good enough to put some effort into doing it. I don't know anything about you or her, so I don't know if that is possible or not.

Second, as noted above, writing is a great dream, but don't expect it to be a career. It might be in the end, but the reality is that very few do make it into a full-time job, so if you can go to school on a b-ball scholarship, then you should do so, in my opinion.

Posted by M.D. Westbrook (Member # 2988) on :

Thank you, all. I have taken these comments into consideration.