I'm on job no. 28 and finally I'm in a job that's ok with mostly nice colleagues, but it took longer to find than my book took to write. It helps that it's only 16 hours.
The pressure of writing books and selling them at a rate that lets you quit your job is something that might stress you out. I don't want any more stress over my writing, to try to write faster or try writing books that sell would be artistic suicide for me. A day job guarantees that I can do whatever I want with my writing, including taking a hiatus if I need it
"....try writing books that sell would be artistic suicide for me." This statement right here marks you as a true writer, and not just a hack. Just like with any creative medium---actors, musicians, painters.... you can always tell who has the passion, and who's just there for the money.
I completely agree. I write to tell stories that I haven't seen yet, that haven't been published (it may have been written) for me to buy. I would LOVE to be traditionally published, and i'm putting myself in the financial position to self-publish if need be. But, I do *not* want my writing (and the odds of being published) to determine whether or not i'm homeless or going hungry. A starving artist is not a happy productive artist. i'm okay taking 3-4 years to write and re-write 1-2 books.
Alexa Donne: the hard-hitting, truth-dishing Fairy Godmother of Writing we never knew we all needed. =D Thank you for sharing what you've learned throughout your trad pub journey and helping the rest of us as we pursue our dreams too.
Ten years ago I whined to God: all I want is time to write while still receiving an income. Later that year I was laid off and existed on unemployment benifits for two years. I thought God would understand I meant a lottery jackpot. After the shock wore off, I started writing. Out of the four novels I wrote, one was published by a small press. Like you, I support myself. Work comes first. Writing is a hobby. I'm very sad for your loss of your mother. My only daughter passed two years ago. Her life insurance benefit is in my retirement account.
I love writing, I love telling stories, but I always had to be realistic with myself. The chances of one of my novels reaching J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, or even James Patterson level is lottery winning level. And dreams won't pay the bills while you pursue them. So, I started building my career and kept writing as a hobby or something to do in my off time. I am currently a behavioural therapist. A job I enjoy, which also gives me incredibly flexible hours, so that when I want to find time to write, I'm not desperately crunching numbers and hours to see where I can schedule it in. My writing had to take a back seat while I worked towards my degree and certifications but it was worth it in the long run. Now, I'm my own boss and can dedicate what I want towards writing. Besides, I would never want writing to be my full-time job because I want to keep it as that escape...if it becomes "work" I feel like it would take some of the joy away from it.
When I heard her say she has 100k in retirement savings I about choked on my 25 cent ramen noodles. I've been working full time since I was 17 (I'm 30 now) and I don't think I will ever be able to save that much!
My financial advisor told me it's very rare for any Millennial to have a robust 401K. It's a unfortunate but common. I'll say that a 17K chunk of that 100K comes from my first job, where I was paid peanuts (33K salary) but we could get large bonuses. Both years I got 10-15K in bonuses I put 6% into my 401K. It has grown by about 5K since I started it. All the rest comes from my current job, which has a generous matching policy (so half the money comes from them). Seriously a huge reason I keep my day job is this specific day job. It pays well enough and has excellent benefits (the benefits honestly are better than my actual salary).
@@AlexaDonne as someone in the uk whose maximum salary has been £14k/about $17-18k the idea of a 33k salary being peanuts in the US is bonkers - I have a friend who earns about the same in an entry level job and it's kind of mind boggling!
@@EnglishRosie Yeah it's totally different here. When I lived in the UK I similarly thought it was bonkers that people lived off 18K salaries! In the US, that's poverty line (you'd qualify for welfare and other benefits). 33K in any major US city is barely tenable salary, and the kicker is it's not changed. Those entering publishing, journalism, etc. earned a 30K starting salary 25 years ago too. We have major issues with cost of living and liveable wages. For me, on that salary my rent was about $800 (I had 3 roommates), and if there was a month with high heating costs then I would run out of money that month/have to eat less. I also had loan repayments of about $400 due each month. It was tight! And that was in Boston, not NYC or LA. Once I jumped up to a mid-level salary my whole life changed, though I didn't stop fully living paycheck-to-paycheck until about 4 years ago.
This video is really helpful and interesting because, as a baby writer, a lot of us, on my side of the writing spectrum, dream of having our future books blow up. This really helps me put myself in perspective and gives me a reality check lol
I do want to be a full-time writer, and I'm pretty sure I can do so. I'm gonna rapid-release my self-published series at the end of the year, and that should help me build enough revenue to live off of writing. But here is *the catch* (you knew it was coming) I'll need to make rent and everything...and my rent will be about $200 a month for a one bedroom. And then there's internet ($35/month) phone ($25/month) utilities ($35/month) gym membership ($18/month) food ($40/month) and eating out (maybe $55/month if I splurge) So, all I'll need is $400ish a month. My secret? *I'M RELOCATING TO INDIA* ! I want to do it anyway, and I'll be able to study there and chill on a student visa and write on the side. Between writing and a little freelance work, I'll make US dollars which go a LOT further in Hindustan. But of course, *I'm gonna wait until I'm sure I'm making more than enough income to live there and I'll make sure I'm established before I move!* I may be a hippy, but I'm not a dumb hippy. More and more authors are going "digital nomad" and living in Asia or Latin America and working remotely. As long as I have internet, I can work anywhere, even the foothills of the Himalayas. L.A. on the other hand...I'm not sure Stephen King can afford to live there on his income as an author.
I'm so happy to find this comment. I have a similar idea but instead of India I think about China, Russia, South Korea (in the less known areas where the cost of living are much lower), or even Japan (Hokkaido specially have a very low cost of living compared to the rest of the country). In my case, one of my biggest concerns is that I cannot stand to live in extremely hot places all year around. If this don't bother you, I wish you all the best in your adventures in India! Have been there; some cities are very crowded and messy but it is amazing place and a good number of people speaks English.
Earning in US dollars in a foreign country seriously would do so much. I'm still a student and have my parents support, but I have absolutely no plans of leaving my home country of Colombia for the US or anywhere else except for maybe an MFA at some point. The conversion rate makes a difference, and I'd really miss a lot of things from here, even if some others are a mess.
I needed this video... so bad (you have no idea). Initially when I started writing 9 years ago, it was because I wanted to be a full time writer and stay home with my kids who were very small at the time. That never happened. 9 years later, I still work full time and write-- and a huge part of me felt like a failure. People IRL don't help that much with their kind "you'll be a real writer someday. Someday you'll be in a real bookstore." I'm an indie and small published-- published so yeah... I know their intentions were good, but it made me feel like Pinocchio. I love this video bc it says being a full time writer isn't the be all end all "I made it!" top of the mountain goal. I think it's hard to look at people and their success and not feel bad about where you are (except you don't see the backstory). Great video, Alexa.
You are a "real" writer!!! I'm sorry people have made you feel like crap. I find laypeople have no real understanding of how writing books or publishing works, so yeah you'll come up across those sorts of attitudes. Stay strong!
Before being a writer, I have been and I am a teacher. I love my job so much that I would never give it up, even if tomorrow I were to become as rich as J.K. Rowling. Yep, I still would do it. No matter how tired or overworked or anything, really. It is not a "dream job" to many but it is to me, always was. I love writing. I have just recently published my first novel. But it hasn't changed a single thing on how I feel about teaching.
The irony for me, is that I want to get traditionally published and only be maybe mildly successful, so that I can have a better opportunity at landing a teaching job. Haha! (I want to teach at a college and I will appear more appealing if I am published).
@@platoniczombie Good luck! Even though, I don't what country are you writing from, but where I am, publishing a novel doesn't really help with an academic career, quite the opposite in fact! I teach at university level here in the UK (I'm a lecturer) and while of course academic publications are very much needed to further your endeavors (there's basically no chance to land a post-doctoral programme without...), a novel might very well hinder your efforts! But clearly, that's very much depending on how conservative the teaching/academic climate is in your country! :) Good luck for everything!
@@imbatrossthescrub2096 It did great! :D I had to publish under a pseudonym because it's quite a steamy romance and that would have definitively been frowned upon by academic circle. Plus, it saves me the embarrassment of my students googling it and discovering all the good old smut their lecturer writes in their free time... ^^
I am a total financial nerd and really enjoyed this video. I think you’re making smart choices. Having those base expenses covered with a steady income is such a stress relief. Being on track to retire at 55 is incredible. If I were to be published I’d do the exact same thing. Take the book money and add to my retirement! P.S so excited for your new thriller!
When my new financial advisor (who I now qualify for! Weird!) told me 55 I was like "excuse me what?" I mean, it's all dependent on the market and if I wait a further 5-10 years I'll get more money, but it was still a massive relief. PLUS the model is based on retiring in California so if I were to move to a lower cost of living state the money would last even longer. Also I didn't mention in the video but should have: the reason I put book money into a SEP-IRA is is saves on taxes lollllll. I'd rather not be able to touch my money for 20+ years than give it to the government ha. (They still get like 30% of my money, but that 10% I hold back makes me feel a sense of satisfaction.)
Doubly impressive to be on track for a California retirement! Taxes can be so cruel. I once got a bonus from work that was taxed at an exceptionally high rate. I was told it was because my earnings bumped me into the next bracket just for that specific paycheck. (Not sure if this is true. Taxes are both cruel and complex). Is that how it works in publishing? If you get a $10K advance is it taxed as if you make $10k a pay period?
@@tess2177 I don't know all the ins & outs, but do know that my accountant has to take into account my day job income + my book income + my RU-vid income, and also this year with inheriting my mom's estate, I will probably bump into a new bracket.
@@AlexaDonne Thanks for the reply! The video was really well done and I can't wait to see more. Congratulations on your accomplishments. Seriously, you're kicking butt.
*falls back down to Earth from the dream of being a full time author* Seriously though, this video was very much needed. At least for me. I love your content! :)
I'm definitely a millennial (born in 1993) and I swear by savings XD I have to say though that I live in France and here health insurance is pretty inexpensive but being a full-time author isn't any easier :) Thank you for addressing this subject, I think it is really helpful for people who are considering quitting their day job and maybe don't realize everything it encompasses.
I grew up poor and I had the opposite reaction. Because I never had anything I wanted growing up, I never wanted to deny myself of anything....for years. Paying for that now. Lol. I’m finally like okay, time to be more responsible with money.
It definitely goes both ways! I'm now trying to learn to spend money on myself and not feel guilty, because we should treat ourselves! I hate the idea that just because you have less you shouldn't enjoy things. But, man, the balance is hard.
My mother has a huge spending problem, and I like to think I have it under better control because I do not like depending on anyone else. Therefore I must stick to my income or be on the streets. That said, I have my vices. I am going on a week without touching all my favorite pops and trying to both wean myself off of that as well as cut down on my spending on unnecessary vices. It is hard to do sometimes, but totally worth it.
This was incredibly insightful! And it made me feel more positive about my day job and current career. The idea that you can do both, and benefit from both, is actually really encouraging.
I really needed this! Recently I've started dreaming of writing FT (through self-publishing, fast-releasing type stuff) but I realise I was only doing that because I'm terrified of facing my future and finding a career (still no idea at 27 and feeling incredibly lost)
I just turned 27 two days ago and while I have always longed to write full time, I realize that I don’t have a set “career path” yet and writing full time right now would hinder my creativity and spike my anxiety. Also it would be taking the easy way out from running away from other problems in my life (like finding a proper career, learning to drive, living on my own [I still live with my mother in the same small town]).
Not knowing what direction you want to go is very common. Its not a narrative told to young folks, but I think more young folks are not sure what direction they're going than are sure. Just keep trying things on and you'll find a place to settle that feels comfortable. Not everyone has big, driving passions. You don't have to have one either. To be baseline happy today is enough.
Is it writing full-time when you're unemployed? :D I'm on a looong sick leave from studies for long-term depression and can't currently work or study, so writing's about the only thing I can get done because I still enjoy it haha
I'm kinda there with you. My husband and I are scraping by on his income, but I suffered PTSD at my last full time job, anxiety, depression, etc. I am not in a position to maintain my mental health while working outside the home. At least I can write, and I can contribute a little bit that way.
I'm there with you too. I had to leave my job due to psychological problems it caused. Yes, I have a depression and to those that doubt I can still write: there are worse days, but there are also the better ones, when I can almost function like a healthy person. This is when I write and I am happy, when I get anything done.
@@martapenczek5165 yeah, it's definitely not every day. And I'm writing super slow. Some days I can manage 1000 words throughout the day, but progress is slow lol
You’re a queen, Alexa- thank you for the transparency. I am due to retire from the military in a few years and will have my retirement check every month , but I still want to work even part time. Being a full time writer to me means I would have the flexibility to not work if I don’t want to, but having that choice will be liberating. Thanks for the video!!
Oh my gosh I just died a little inside when you said what your rent hike was. 😭 I have a 4-bedroom, 1700 square foot house with a 1000 square foot garage and five outbuildings, all on 40 acres...and we pay $1100 a month. Like, I knew that LA was obviously more expensive than the middle of Montana (because duh), but DANG that really drove it home.
I HONESTLY have thought about moving, but I really like this job and I don't drive, so most affordable places would require me to get reallllll comfy in a car. I could see myself retiring somewhere cheaper/more rural though.
Right! Cost of living differences in places just floors me. I live in WI and we rent a 3 bedroom single family home with a fenced yard for the dog and a garage for $800. In 4 years living here our rent only raised $10.
Hmm, I was in NYC when she mentions moving to LA... I rented a room for $1200, and that was pretty damn cheap. There was 2 other rooms, and we carved a 4th bedroom out of a finished basement. So times that by 4 and that was the rent for a 3 bedroom floor in a townhouse in Brooklyn. We had a laundry room and a small back yard and it was a 20-minute walk to the subway. It was a bargain. Now cut that apartment in half, with the same rent, and that's what you'd look at in Manhattan.
Omg what?? That’s not even usually enough to rent small a one bedroom where I live and there’s only like 30,000 people here. Plus, you can’t drive anywhere, as it will either lead to ice mountains or water, so that’s a yikes.
@@zetjet9901 Yeah, I’m really fortunate living in Montana. It’s affordable (though there are areas of the state where a property like this would be prohibitively expensive - just not right where I’m at) and gorgeous. And there’s no sales tax. 😆
Also a lot of full-time authors I've spoken to say they make most of their money not so much from their books, but going to do talks at campuses or conferences about their books. But that's a WHOLE other skill lmao
Most full-time authors were stay-at-home moms or retirees before they got published. That's just the reality of it. There's a lot of moms writing while the kids are napping or at activities or asleep at night, and there's a lot of people who are chasing their writing dream after having retired from their first career, the one that put the food on the table.
I have been living in an excited little bubble for the last 24 hours, and I just want to thank you for talking openly about the serious side of potentially going full-time with writing. Everyone talks about how exciting it is and how freeing and all of that, but no one talks about these elements.
I agree with all of this. It makes sense from a financial perspective, but I also find that I'm more excited to write because of the limited amount of time available to me. I am more disciplined than I would be if I had all day long to write/edit. That said, part time would be perfect. But...health insurance!!
This was THE most helpful video about looking at writing realistically that I’ve ever seen. I have the dream, but these are things I had never thought of before. Thank you so much!
This was really the epitome of the notorious "we need to talk". Such an insightful step by step reflection on important details. I was struck by the authenticity of Alexa's experience and perception. At the same time, I was sporadically amused to the point of laughing out loud. Just recently she posted a poll, and now she also revealed how much of a "life partner goals" goes into her. Especially knowing that she is single, those who are local to the California scene can attend the upcoming author events with Alexa, and possibly establish a branded relationship. And it's so uplifting to see a "sober" reality check. But I still think about how Alexa can get into Hallmark- Channel-movie turn of events for her personal life. And her decision making examples from this video can assist in turning a Lifetime movie scenario away. I take joy and pride in learning from that video. Alexa breathed the messages right into my being. Big thanks!
Thank you, I always thought I wanted to be a full-time writer, and I never took into account all of these variables that everyone tends to overlook until it is too late. I love to write but I also like to work but sometimes I just feel like quitting. You made me stop and look at the big picture. I now appreciate what I have (although sometimes my job drives me crazy 😅). Thank you! 😊
Thank you so much for choosing to be so transparent! I completely get where you're coming from (I believe we had a very similar socio-economic status growing up), and I'm so happy that you are still able to pursue your writing dreams while staying grounded. :)
Intriguing. I write fulltime and love it but it's also tough. I wouldn't have it any other way. But people should know the facts. Being transparent is important.
I've spent 20 years getting to a point in my 'day' career where I can write how I like and not worry if it sells or not. I just love to write. If it happens, it happens, but the joy is in the work.
This is an awesome thing to talk about! I'm an aspiring author (currently editing a second draft of my first novel), but no matter how much I make when I get to the publishing side, I won't be going full time for a long time. My husband is our main bread winner, so I have the luxury of not having to make money off my books. My full time job is being a mom (we currently have three young kids) and plan to homeschool and I plan on keeping the writing as a side job to that whether I never end up getting published or if I start making a decent amount of money. I loved this video, though, and the ideas explored here.
I work in Research and Data Analysis, so I’m lucky that my job can very much be left at the office once I walk out the doors, either for my lunch hour or at the end of the day. I’ve noticed that since my job does not require the same type of critical thinking that my writing does I often experience the “shower thoughts” effect where I come up with ideas while I’m working and jot them down in my planner until I can get to my laptop.
I'm in a similar kind of job and this happens to me as well. I think you're taking full advantage of the difference in skillsets! This is super reassuring.
Amazing honest video as always. I want to be a full time creative (writing, painting, animating, and much more) I am fortunate enough to live in Denmark where the health care situation is really great, but it's such a small market that I will have to write in English to earn enough I think. I do have a very supportive husband and we like a simple living so I wouldn't need to earn the really big bucks to live off of writing. I honestly will be happy if we can just make enough to support us and our children, but being a full time author really is a huge dream for me. There is the fact that I am not super excited about my current dayjob so if I really Loved my job like you do, maybe it would be different .
Appreciate the transparency of this video! I’ve crunched the numbers for myself and I would have to get a super gigantic deal or otherwise have my bf say he’s going to support me to ever leave my day job. Even in Canada where we have universal health care, I live in a major city where it’s really not feasible for me. And I do like my day job and enjoy the perks of paid vacay, and retirement fund matching, and extra healthcare perks. I think it’s a great point to find a day job that you like with good flexibility for writing.
I was reading an interview with N.K Jemisin and she outlined the same thing. She gave writing full time a go and returned to work for fulfillment and health insurance.
I write full time, but that’s because I spent the last twenty years raising my four children and now getting back into the workforce has been difficult. My husband has a good job, but I wouldn’t say we’re comfortable. I’ve given up on looking for a job, so I hope with my writing I can bring in a small income to help out. I live in Australia, our health care is pretty good so that’s not really an issue and we do pay for private health insurance on top of medicare. Great video!
Super helpful video that I think applies to a lot of creative fields. It sure is easier and more fun to be an artist on the side than it is to try to afford it full time.
A brave and honest discussion - it's good to hear a responsible author talk so openly about the dream vs reality. I always tease that writing full time is my retirement plan, but it's not officially, just something I will be doing when I do get to my retirement years as I do now. Also sincere condolences to the passing of your mother.
Thank you for this video. It's a real eye opener. Unfortunately, it's hard for writers to be full time, and I really like when people are open and transparent about the realities of being a published author. Thank you!!
I really appreciate you being totally transparent about this. It's nice to hear, and extremely admirable how responsible you are with your money. I'd love to one day be able to bring even a little bit of money from my books, but I keep putting off my dreams for another day.
"To jobs that pay the rent!" This is a very nice train of thoughts on living from your hobby; not just writing, but other hobbies you could live of off. Thank you! It is a dream, but be careful what you wish for, right? It is also important to realize, that you work to live, you shouldn't live to work and a job, that can pay for your rent, utilities, etc. is important. It is something that people never tell you, that you can do a job you didn't want, but it pays well and your financial security is very important. When you have it, you can concentrate on your hobbies, maybe make some money from it, but if you don't you have a safety net to fall back to. There are (in my experience) no jobs where you would be happy 100 % of the time; if you can make it to 50 - 60 % it's good, if you get to 60 - 80 % it's great, anything over that you're blessed.
Both myself and my partner have full-time jobs in IT and we both write in our spare time. In theory, one of us could give up our day job to write full-time, but that wouldn't be fair on the other person. Long-term, we'd like to both find ways to reduce our hours at our day jobs in order to spend more time writing. General good life advice: If you have a partner, talk to them frequently and honestly about your goals!
It's such an important thing to talk about the reality of your finances as a writer. Have dreams and ambitions, of course, but also take care of yourself! Unrealistic expectations only hurt you long-term.
OmGOsh before thos video I was libing the illusion that I wanted to write for a living- BUT after watching and sharing several of the same thoughts as you I want to keep working- I hate my job - but it has hella good insurance and 401k options!! Great topic!!!
As an accountant who's written a book, I very much appreciate your transparency because I find the lack of it in publishing especially infuriating. I also really appreciate you talking about the importance of big financial pieces to writing full time (healthcare, retirement, expenses) as they're a big part of normal life that are still often over looked, and I'm sure it happens in writing as well.
So much truth -- especially the facade of writing full time while a partner/spouse carries most or all of the weight. Glad to have found this, and thanks for another great video!
Alexa, I am so glad that you are talking about important financial topics like medical insurance and retirement. I see so many aspiring writers (and other creatives) not take these things into consideration and end up in a really bad spot. I really hope your younger subscribers take the info you share to heart. Even as a 50+ individual, I would not quit my day job if I received a book deal, I would just retire a few years earlier. At retirement, that’s when I would write full-time. Anyway, keep up the good work. Love your videos.
The transparency is so refreshing. We often only hear about the incredibly successful stories that are the exceptions or those that didn't make it and got angry and quit. Or like you said - they are able to do their passion full -time but we don't have the full picture which might be that they have a partner with a very well paying job, or they don't have kids, debts, etc. Again, thank you for this deep dive into a topic that isn't not spoken about enough.
I have a great job but I hate it. I have several daydreams a week about my books doing so well that I can quit. I have a partner who makes enough for us to live off of but we’re bougie and I haven’t sold a single book yet. 😂 He gave me a figure that I would have to hit for us to even talk about it. I still feel like my day job is cramping my writing style and it’s frustrating since I enjoy writing so much. I write contemporary romance and I will self-publish so I’m optimistic. This video helped me rethink everything and that it might be wise for me to work at my day job as much as I can.
I relate so strongly to this video. I also grew up lower middle class and then hit periods of time due to illness in my family when we crossed the line into poverty. I also experienced poverty, no health insurance, and food insecurity myself as a young adult. I am currently at my first job that provides benefits, including a 401k and health insurance. I am now obsessively making up for lost time saving for retirement (I too have an emergency fund for the first time in my life). Accepting my job involved moving to the Bay Area (another insanely expensive place to live) and working in San Francisco. I am currently struggling with the second part of your equation for working a day job - I don't love it and the hours, stress, and long commute are obstacles I have difficulty overcoming and finding time to write. I think that so many of us start out with dreams of "finally making it" and being able to do nothing but write. Once we become adults and have to face the financial realities of the world, some of us choose to keep a firm hold on security over the risks involved in letting go of everything else. I've been poor and food insecure for enough of my life to really value the security of a day job with benefits. Thank you for validating this point of view and challenging the stigma that, if you don't write full time, "you're not really a writer."
This video makes a pretty good for how a stronger safety net--like rent control, single-payer health, and so on--would actually incentivize people to take risks and pursue their dreams.
It also incentivizes developers to not develop property that they can't rent at market value. Its great for people already in housing, but it exasperates homelessness issues which are already a big problem in LA. Rent controlled property owners also generally stop taking good care of their properties since they are taking a loss on them anyway. This may be good now, but in 10 years I imagine it will have made a lot of things worse.
Absolutely loved this! Totally agree with your need to have stability. Having to rely on writing to provide for me would also kill the joy of it, I think. I'd love to hear more about your day job and if it has anything at all to do with writing? I work in digital marketing and social media, so I find myself so burned out creatively that by the time I go to write I come up empty. My job also doesn't facilitate much of a work/life balance, which doesn't help. Would love to see a video on day jobs/careers (that actually pay) for writers!
Definitely needed this. No one talks about it. We're made to believe that authors make enough to sustain themselves and that they've turned their passion into their career. That they get to just wake up and write all day and it's all bliss. No one talks about health care and 401k. Ever! No one talks about the long game. And tbh, I never even considered health insurance and retirement and all that financial security stuff when dreaming of my career as a writer. I'm so glad you made this video to shed light on the reality of it. So now my goals will include being a successful writer while finding a job I enjoy to support my writing and my future.
I was published for 9 years while working full time. I waited until I retired from hospital to becoming a full time writer. Honestly, I wrote more when I was working a full time job.
I imagine it would go that way. Not having the opportunity to write whenever I want motivates me to write more. Didn't self publish my novel until after I became a mum!
Health insurance is my #1 expense as a full-time writer. But dang girl, your rent is insane!! Thank you for your videos and my condolences on losing your mom. You're crushing it.
Love love LOVE the transparency! My day job is as a staff novelist, so I’m employed by a publishing company while writing novels for them! It’s the best of both worlds! Well, minus health insurance.... and a reasonable salary... and retirement.... oh god. THIS IS FINE
Thanks for being so transparent. I have a full time job and I’m the higher paid “bread winner” in my relationship. My husband makes a decent income, but not as much as me; so while I want to focus full-time on writing, in order to pay our mortgage and maintain our lifestyle I can’t. I’ve got bills to pay and kids to feed. I’ve just dipped my toe back into the writing world and I’m going to be juggling writing with my full time career so wish me luck!
Like you, I grew up lower-middle class, provided for and mostly comfortable, but never had any luxuries. (We took only two vacations during my childhood and that was to visit my grandparents in Florida.) Also, like you, I have made the conscious decision to write and maintain a day job. Reality may be harsh, but it is unavoidable. I have wife, two kids, two cats, and a mortgage. The family likes a roof over their heads, food on the table, and a modicum of comfort. I've been writing for 9 years now and have release 15 books in that time, but have yet to make anywhere close day-job money. I've had one good year, but that didn't carry over. I think I would find it impossible to write if I had the burden of caring for my family off my writing income. It just wouldn't cut it. And you're right, health care is another major issue that ties me to my job, but I can't afford to go without it.
Thank you for this message. I just published my first short story on Amazon. I work full-time in health care and also a retired teacher, so I now have time to write more. This video is so valuable, and I will continue to keep my day job. 😁
i just cant get over the fact that you have to pay 1600 dollars for a one bedroom apartment and they had the audacity to try and raise that to over 2000 dollars... absolute insanity... i didnt hear anything you said after that lol
My ex and I rented a house near Vallejo for 1,200 for a year. Its location dependent. That said, rent in CA is ridiculous and house prices even more. Throw in all the natural disasters hitting CA year round and FUCCK that. Never ever going back.
@B. Gordon We lived in a gated community but it did not seem too bad for much of anything - natural or criminal. It helped we lived near the AF base, I guess.
God I love your videos, so honest and straightforward and you give insight into all problems not just writing wise but life wise as well. Thank you for these videos
I've made a mass total of 2K with my writing and I feel lucky that I've earned even a penny with that. I did a big variety of stuff. I wrote for sites that are sadly no longer with us, blogs, Audiobooks, poetry books, novels and articles. The extra money has helped with travelling and going to cool events, but I still needed the full time job to keep my flat.
I currently work in medical billing (so I 100% understand how messed up the American healthcare system is), I write and I’m going to college part time for a bachelors in sustainable development, as well as pursuing other artistic outlets. I already know that I have no real intention to ever write full time, because there is so much more that I want to do that writing alone won’t allow me to accomplish. My problem is more that I judge myself for not finishing my writing projects faster, even though I’m also juggling work, school, other interests and a social life
Thank you for posting this. You brought up a lot of great points I hadn’t considered before. I’ve been fond of the idea of a “slash career” or “combination career” for a few years now, which is exactly what you have. I think that there’s pressure internally and/or from the outside world that says one of the greatest markers of success is writing full time. And, by association, not getting that or wanting that makes you somehow less of a writer. Thank you for dispelling that notion!
Loved the rant Alexa, thanks for opening up and baring your heart. Really sorry I'm late for the party but will follow closer in the future. Personally got sick of the directions many authors took their stories until I started writing myself. I am retired and have the time and money so it has brought me so much joy just to bring my own characters to life. I also have a handwriting hobby and the two complement each other. I still love to read but really how many times and ways can you save the world/universe. Give me a real character and blow some life into them and make them real to me and I'll probably read that book. The only downside the way I write is the number of composition books I go through. Sounds like you've made a good life plan now just work the plan. I live alone also and have learned to love silence especially after the granddaughter goes home. Best wishes.
I so appreciate your transparency! I don't think I'd ever permanently give up a fulltime job, but the dream is to be able take a few years off when my husband and I decide to start a family and partially support us through writing while staying home during the 'daycare' years. Because childcare is expensive in our area. When the time comes, we'll have to weigh the different variables. Does it make sense for me to work fulltime when most of that money will be going to daycare? Are we in a place financially where I can afford to take a 'pay cut' so one of us will be able to stay home with the little ones? But yeah, I can't imagine not having private health insurance in the current state of our political landscape/economy.
Alexa - You are a very solid person. I am amazed at what you have done. All the best to you. May you find a special person (who's equally solid) to share your life with.
Congrats on the deal with Crown! Good luck with the release. Hope you get a big advance. (I got burned on my Big5 deal, but I'm going to keep pushing on.)
I don’t comment often.... or ever really, but I just wanted to say, I’m a teen writer who loves your videos and your book! So excited for The Stars We Steal and The Ivies! Brightly burning was one of the books that got me out of the great 2019 reading slump, and I loved it. This video is great. Being a published author is a dream but thinking I’ll ever be a unicorn.... that’s just silly.
I don't think I've ever been as grateful for Canadian health care as I am watching this. Also, the next of my fellow Millennials who tells me they don't know how to start an emergency fund I am driving them to the bank and setting it up for them. Nothing scares me more than my own generation's fear of budgeting.
I think it's so important that you're de-romanticising being a full-time writer! I'm lucky enough to live in Denmark where health care is payed via our taxes AND my partner earns enough that we could survive on his paycheck alone. But I'm not gonna quit my job just because I get a book deal. Right now I honestly only see 2 scenarios in which I'll quit my job: 1. I earn enough from my books that my partner and I can start a family and still live comfortably from his paycheck and my book money alone; 2. my book deadlines become too tight for me to manage a full-time job on the side - and even then I might just go down to part-time until that isn't possible either.
At this point in my life I just write for myself but eventually, I'd like to try for traditional publishing... but I think I could never consider quitting my day job after the effort and stress and tears that I've been putting into my education - letting it all go to waste like that puts me off. But maybe that's just my perspective as a young person.
I really love this video! Thank you for initiating this conversation. I think it's really important to see other options besides being a fulltime writer. I've honestly felt a little... I don't want to say ashamed, but uncomfortable when people ask me about my writing life and I have to tell them that I really don't think I'm interested in writing full time. It's just not for me, for a ton of different reasons, and it's nice to hear someone else say that and not feel like they're giving up or that they aren't a "real" author or something. Great video ❤
Another negative consideration would be the additional taxation which comes with living purely on commissions. You’ll be taxed as a self-employed business owner, and your federal withholding will effectively double; leaving you (on average) with 15-20% less money than you’d otherwise have at a typical day job. There are some ways to offset a portion of this (have an office, deduct work-related expenditures, etc.), but you’ll ultimately be short what the average person nets from the same gross amount. While I do have a unicorn story, and continue to write from home, there’s a lot of sacrifice which comes with that. Most days I find myself remembering fondly the early days of having both streams of income. Passion is my primary driver, but if you make money from sales AND get to keep doing the non-writing work you’re already good at, then you’re winning; you’re a success. Whether you write full-time or not, the ‘work’ factor doesn’t go away, and what’s important is that you live well within the circumstances; especially if they’re already great circumstances. The plunge into full-time writing can quickly change those circumstances in a negative way; making nightmares of realized dreams.
I work in humanitarian aid meaning I am working in Africa for 3 to 12 months at a time earning money but not having any expenses (my employer provided food and board and there is really nothing to spend money on while you're there). When I get back home I can spend some time writing "full-time" before heading overseas again for my next assignment.
Oh my gosh! It felt like you were speaking directly to me! Yes, writing full time is the dream. For sure... but you make so many good points. It's all about balance. I live near Chicago so I hear you about higher cost of living... not gonna like I've had my moments where I think, hey I could move to the boonies and make it work. But, I have a family I need to worry about too. Gotta keep it real. Thanks for this great video.
This video is one of the reasons you're one of my favorite Authortubers. You are straight-up honest about how it is. As I get older, I'm realizing the same thing that writing full-time may not be something I could feasibly do since I do want to have some financial stability plus I need that private health insurance for the mental health benefits.
Hi Alexa! Would you consider doing a video on how to handle tone and tone shifts when writing? I write a lot of funny characters in light-hearted scenes but my overall stories are often very dark and tend to get heavy at the end. When I read through my writing I can tell it doesn't gel - but I know that other authors can pull it off (see Terry Pratchett, Tina Fey). It's something I really struggle with, and there's very little on it when you search authortube for videos. Would love to hear your thoughts!
Thank you for this video, Alexa. I've been a full-time writer for the last two years, and I've been thinking of giving it up this year for exactly all the reasons you laid out in this video. The uncertainty of it all can be debilitating- I'm also single and live in LA, and that's really stressful to support yourself! But I'd also been feeling guilty about giving up on 'the dream', so I've been really torn. You made me feel a little better, thank you.
I am trying to work full time as a writer, but I don't just work on novels. I write short stories, poems, articles, and am working on my first novel. I also recently got into copywriting and screenplays. I'm also currently still living with my parents and am only 21. So I don't know yet if this will pan out but I think if you want to be a full time writer you have to do a hell of a lot more than just novels and your passion projects. Sometimes (okay most of the time) you have to write what other people want not what you want.
When you talk about money and crazy rents like that, I'm so glad I live in Sweden. XD Even if they fixed that rent thing, I mean. Stuff like that can't happen here. And if you're stranded without a job, you'll still get some money to live by. (Not much mind you, but you're not left on the street). You have security here. Hospitals are mostly free and you're guaranteed to have money for food and clothes. Not much more if you're without a job for a long time, but at least you have guaranteed life, you know. :)
