Am I mad to think I may earn more as a writer than as a journalist?

[savemefrommymind]

(namechanged for this thread...)

Please, help me see sense as I am a bit confused now. I'm a journalist, mid career I think. I'm on my thirties 32 and just had my first child. I'm wondering what I should do when maternity leave ends, in a few months.

I have a full time job as a reporter in a very specialized field, and the outlet I write to has a small niche readership. It's just just a job, not part of a career, IYSWIM. It helps pay the bills, but won't lead me anywhere.

I was planning to invest in something more significant, pitching stories to better outlets, magazines and national newspapers, things like that. Get things published in places that matter (I have a few things published in national media, but not enough).

However, it takes a lot of energy and time to go pitching and pitching, and building contacts, both with editors ans sources, before the whole thing gains momentum. I'm not sure I want to invest that time and energy on that now (my priority is my child, of course).

I'm planning to go back to my old job part time if they accept it. I need to earn some money. (it doesn't make sense to have a full time job now, 1- because I want time with DS and 2- the full time nursery costs nearly the same as my net salary, so I wouldn't really be earning anything). DH has a decent salary, but we don't want to live only on what he earns (specially because we haven't been able to save anything these last few months).

However, I am one of those millions of people who would like to be a fiction writer. I don't know how good I am, because, I never tried it seriously (and again, I need to put some time and energy at that to see if there's hope for me).

Point is: there is no way I can make a decent money being a reporter, specially in print, which is what I like. I can have a reasonable salary working in PR, or as an editor - but I don't like these options.

Some writers make decent money writing fiction (and selling rights, writing for TV and radio, etc. I know if you write for lots of places, and not only books, you can make a living).

Very few writers make very good money. No reporters make good money.

So, I'm in a bizarre position. I could start as a writer, or continue as a journalist. I can't invest in a journalistic career AND a writer career (as I don't have time and energy to invest in both). Basically, I plan to work part time on my job and invest in one of the options (writer / proper journalist).

I'm seriously tempted to try to be a writer and see if I can. Chances of being really successful are ridiculously low, but they exist. Chances of being a well paid reporter are basically non-existent.

Does all this rambling make ANY sense? I would love some advice or opinions, as I don't know very well where to go from here (I have to admit I don't even know where to start as a writer!)

[Punkatheart]

Hello there. Yes, it is tough out there as a writer - particularly if you want to be a literary writer. Pitching can, as you guessed, be exhausting.

But you have one huge advantage. You already have proved yourself in a connected career. You are professional, articulate and used to working to deadlines.

You must think about taking the pressure of yourself to earn money in the profession - at least for now. So alternatives should be considered. Take the PT job for now but really set about sending out your work. Join a writer's group - work out which genre you like to write in - find out where your strength or weaknesses are. In the commercial (ie not literary) field - there is money to be had. Magazines with very good circulations can pay £200-300 for a short story. Radio stories pay very well and there are good repeat fees. But there is A LOT of competition out there.

If you want to be a writer and you plug away hard enough - you can have an amount of success. Remember that little filler bits of writing can also pay: that £200-300 can also be given to a book review or a short non-fiction piece.

The Writer's Handbook is a very good source book. There are plenty of good writers online to critique you....different writer's forum. Read writers' blogs and network. Think about pitching a non-fiction book? You only have to pitch the idea, rather than the finished article as in fiction.

It is a hard life. My OH earns our crust and I don't like that. But I have been published, won competitions - enjoyed the ride. You can too and there is nothing more rewarding.

[savemefrommymind]

Punkatheart, your comment made my day. You sound like being a writer is a possible path, not just a reverie. I never thought or expected it to be easy (I think I've never set myself for anything easy in my life...) - possible is good enough.

Many thanks for the ideas, I'll do a bit of research as I have no idea where to start if I want to write for radio, for example.

Now I guess I must stop mning and write a bit :)

[Punkatheart]

Well, you made my day by saying that I made yours! I had a rotten day yesterday and your comment changed the whole tone of it.

I forgot to say that you must remember that with the advent of the Internet - you are never alone in the writing sphere. It took me a long time to realise that sitting in an ivory tower is awfully lonely! I went to a writer's development course and learned all about networking, which I had previously thought was for business people only. Now I have lot of writer friends and writer colleagues. We critique each other's work, edit and generally support one another.n Facebook, which I initially thought was a waste of time, has been a useful tool to keep in touch. 90% of my Facebook friends are writers, poets and journalists. Blimey - I have even got Val McDermid on it!

Also, Mslexia is a very good magazine....inspirational and useful.

Good luck with it all and I should go and do some writing now!

[motherinferior]

Isn't it writers' group? (Ahem.)

[Punkatheart]

Ha ha...could be both really. I mean if you were the only writer on the forum it might be writer's.

Get back to your deadline, indeed!

(Will get back to mine - which is actually how many half price marshmallows from Waitrose I can eat before my daughter sees them...fuel for the brain, you understand)

[motherinferior]

I need to talk to you about Indianness and passing, will email you.

[Eleison]

Goddammit I want to know what Indianness and passing are. Is it to do with being India Knight and passing as a writer?

[Punkatheart]

Or passing wind. In which case, I may consult my OH.

[belledechocchipcookie]

Twitter is very useful. I wouldn't go into this if you want to earn money though, it's more of a bonus if you know what I mean.

[savemefrommymind]

I don't think I can answer the messages in a coherent text, so here it goes in bullets:

• Punkatheart, thanks again. For the tips and for being so nice. Is there any Facebbok group you'd recommend? (I would DM you, but I think your profile is not available and I don't want to sound like a stalker...)
  

• Motherinferior, I wonder if a writers' group is a group that belongs to the writers, but a writers group would be simply a group composed of writers? (and of course, a writer's group is a group that belongs to a single writer as Punkatheart remarked)
  

• I don't think I should know what Indianness and passing are, so won't ask and will pretend I'm not curious.
  

• Belle, would you recommend any writer on twitter? I follow a couple of them but I'm always after interesting people to stalk read. And I'm not in that for the money - I plan to keep my part time job. I may be mad, but not THAT mad.

[belledechocchipcookie]

Look for me, I'm under belledechocolat Don't follow Derek Haynes, he does nothing but plug his book. I left my job to write, I had to leave on health grounds and I loved writing so it made sense. I've earned nothing except for a writers & artists year book though I'm sure this is a lot more then others.

[Punkatheart]

You are very welcome to PM me, savemefrommymind - I can add you to my Facebook page - which has lots of links and writerly things going on. I must be contactable - because I have just had a private message from someone else on Mumsnet. I also have no idea how to send someone a message. Doh!

As far as Twitter goes - Tania Hershman is very good. There are loads of blogs: Sally Quilford has a brilliant competition calendar.

Some writer friends who have blogs include Vanessa Gebbie (I think hers is VG more news or somesuch) and Tow Vowler. Both are hardworking and inspirational writers.

Belledechocchipcookie, if you have won/earned anything - you are right - you will have earned more than most writers.

I genuinely love seeing friends do well. My friend Vanessa has just been picked up by Bloomsbury and it couldn't happen to a nicer person. But writers beware - there is an element of strangeness and even bitchiness in the writing fraternity. Particularly in the groups. I used to go to one with an elderly man with very long fingernails and a Eastern European accent. He read obscene poetry to a group of mainly older ladies. He drove a van full of knockoff goods, had no insurance and smelt rather badly. Everything he read out rhymed obsessively in the manner of white, blight, fight style and was inherently sexual and often racist.

Material for stories, I suppose. Nothing should be wasted!

[savemefrommymind]

Punkatheart, I guess I can't click on your profile, so I can't DM you (unless I'm doing something wrong?). Could you email me on emailformn at gmail.com ?

Belle, I've checked you twitter :) And re leaving the job to write, I think writing is something that takes a while to build up, but I see you are persevering, which is great!

[belledechocchipcookie]

I had to leave really, it was killing me. I was diagnosed with MS last year and I just couldn't spend all day on my feet.

A publisher has asked to see one of my picture books so fingers crossed

[savemefrommymind]

belledechocchipcookie,

Hope your health has improved... And good luck with the publisher!

[Punkatheart]

Yes, she's a great inspiration - a very talented writer but someone who works hard. The Coward's Tale comes out later this year. She had a CHOICE of publishers. What a gal!

Shows what can be done, folks!

[belledechocchipcookie]

She liked the ideas but I need to rewrite. She said they were thinking about making me an offer to buy the idea for one and getting someone else to write it. I'm a bit about it, it's like putting my baby up for adoption knowing I'll see it later but it won't be mine.

[Punkatheart]

Don't be too upset...as RoundRobyn so wisely states. The first time someone 'interfered' my work I felt sick, angry and hurt. It happens more in journalism than fiction. But sometimes even in mainstream fiction they may want a house style - or simply have a writer they are eager to use.

You have done brilliantly to be brave enough to send work out. Now realise that this is a step. Let go and come up with some more excellent ideas. Put it this way - they could have stolen the idea - it happens more than you think - but they have chosen to reward you. Now keep working on your writing - yes sometimes collaborating is a great move. But at the very least get another writer to critique you. All of us are improving, trying to get better. No baby is born with a pen and a genius for grammar.

Say well done to yourself. Don't think of your work as a baby - it's a common mistake - think of it as a child you had around to play for a while and now it has to go home. This is the beginning.

[belledechocchipcookie]

I've been to the library and had a look at what's new, I've come up with a great twist to it so I'm hoping that this will do the job. I do need to team up with someone for both of them as I need the guidance. She's said it's fine for me to rewrite them both, I have the shorter one sorted now and I just need to write it. I could do with some feedback from an expert before I send it though.

I didn't think it was going to be easy, I don't think I prepared myself for how hard it is though, I just want to write.

[Punkatheart]

You are doing well, missus. Don't lose heart. It is harder than most people think and sometimes the difference between a successful writer and an unsuccessful one is that the latter gives up too soon.

Plough on mydear....come here for a push or for a rant whenever you feel the need. We creatives should stick together!!

[belledechocchipcookie]

Sorry for hijacking the thread

I've just finished the rewrite for the picture book and I think it's brilliant! I read it and I'm so excited. I need to get some opinions of it before I send it off though as I don't want to let someone else write it.