The Writer's Life

It's getting annoying hearing how exciting and glamorous my life must be as a writer. Like with everything else there are always pros and cons to anything you chose in life. Being a writer is just like being anything else in the creative industries. You live like the artist you are.

As a writer, or artist, you live from piece to piece and paycheck to paycheck. Writing is a very solitary life with much introspection and self reflection. And like with any craft you are continually searching for news ways to hone and develop your craft and skills. It is also one of those professions that your parents will never understand and will continue to urge you to get a "real" job even though you sell your pieces for more than they could ever have imagined they were worth.

However, the pros definitely out weigh the cons. The life of an artist or writer is more of a freedom lifestyle. You are paid more for your work because you offer a specific service that most 9 to 5ers couldn't because they need to wear many hats to do their jobs. You are also paid more to meet your overhead costs like benefits, 401k and to help fill in the gap until your next gig. But even though companies pay you more for your work you are still cheaper than if they were to hire for an in house position. You can work from anywhere so they don't have to pay for the lights, space and time that is required for an employee to come into an office. Plus, as creatives we can affect change more than any other talent. The best pro to this type of work/life is the fact that we can give people a new perspective to see things, shed new light on a subject that they other wise might not have considered and making people think promotes action like little else.

"Creativity is intelligence having fun."  - Albert Einstein

So think on that the next time you consider changing jobs or careers. Which one would afford you the most flexibility in your life? Which one would you get to spend more time with your children? Which one is going to be the most fulfilling and satisfying for your life's work?

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Thanks for reading!

The Scribbler