According to THIS WEBSITE, it is Explore Your Career Options week. I blogged about this on my personal writing blog, but wanted to post something here because the topic fascinates me.
When I was younger, I considered many different career options. I got married young and never went to college, but instead worked various jobs, trying to find something I loved. After all, writing wasn’t exactly considered a “real job” and I certainly couldn’t make any money doing it, right? Well, after several years of resisting the one thing I was passionate about, I finally succumbed and began to pursue my dream. And I couldn’t be happier about my decision. I am now doing something I love and getting paid pretty well, too!
If I had to give up writing (God forbid), and choose another profession, I’d probably become a psychologist, as I love digging into the reasons we do what we do. And, I have to say, my love for the human psyche comes in handy when I’m writing my novels.
So I’ll ask the same question I asked my own blog readers:
What would you be if you weren’t a writer? Or, if you have another career, what do you do and how do you make time for your writing?
Related posts:
14 Comments until now.
I am first a mother and helper to my husband, second a homeschooling teacher to my children and THIRD a writer. If I weren’t a writer and I had a career it would most likely be teaching in elementary school, possibly with special needs children.
I was a Registered Nurse and did not find much time for writing while I was working. I am now disabled and I write daily. I am also a wife, mommy to two cats and a puppy. Because of my disability I cannot due too much housework so my wonderful hubby helps me out there giving me even more time to write.
Writing and teaching are often closely related, aren’t they?
What a wonderful husband you have, Linda.
Keep up the great work, ladies!
I want to be a librarian. I’ve thought about going back to school for it, but health problems complicate it. I used to be a RN in OB. That was a great job. It didn’t even seem like work most of the time. I also have a wonderful hubby who helps out with the things I can’t do.
Career-wise, so far I have worked as a museum curatorial staff member, archivist, library assistant director, library director, animal care worker, photographer, salesman, cowboy and office worker, and now have my own research/writing business. I live on a ranch and manage the care, feeding and exercise of 33 show horses, mostly Arabians but we have boarders who own draft horses, quarterhorses and retired race horses. I start my day early with feeding them all and then put in 3 morning hours and three night hours. The days average 17 hours and I have wifi so I can write during chores/ training etc.Did I mention that I also working on my M. Div.? The secret? Being a steward of God’s property is a serious duty, I have to do it the best way. By the way, this is a 7 day a week “job”. It provides lots of subject matter for writing.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to a this very meaningful for me subject. Even though I have a published children’s story book I don’t consider myself a writer – it is a goal I hope to accomplish. Being an author does not make one a writer, I believe. My college experience did not occur until I was an adult – and then only on a part time basis while I was employed full time. I, too, was a working mom focusing on raising my 4 children – much of that time as a single parent. I have grown to love writing, and continue to learn more about the profession. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, Lynda from the bottom of my heart for your sharing.
Before I retired I worked in the History/Genealogoy Room of our local libray for nine years – researching for and helping others with their research. Prior to that, I was an English and Journalism teacher. My first love has always been writing. Retirement has allowed me the opportunity to more deligently that love.
I love being a homemaker, so that would always be my first choice. If I had to choose another career, it would be either pastel artist or herbalist. In fact, both are favorite pastimes of mine; when I draw with pastels, some sort of plant is usually in the picture. I also love to prepare nourishing herbal remedies for my family and myself.
I am exploring the writer within me at the ripe age of 60. My career today is still a cosmetologist which I have loved over the last 42 years. It has given me many friends, relationships and writing material. But as I age the physical side of hairdressing is taking its toll. Frankly, I have listened to many clients in my chair for all these years and now I believe I have something to say….. I can only hope someone wants to hear it. Beginning a new journey at my age is an arduous task of great proportions. Classes are needed to bring up the mechanics of the trade and also the new technologies that are available to writers today. Messy writing is not good just as messy hair is not good.
So for right now I won’t quit my day job.
Celeste, Have you heard of Sharlene MacLaren? She wrote her first book after she retired and now has several books published. If you’re up for the work and are willing to learn, it’s never too late!
I haven’t heard of her work does Faithwriters have it handy or should I order it online? Celeste
Celeste, you can find Shar’s books in any Christian bookstore or on Amazon.com. She is not a FaithWriters member. You can also learn more about Shar on http://www.sharlenemaclaren.com.
I recently joined faithwriters, and just started writing in the last year and a half. I’ve always been a reader, but only in the last couple of years have I been convinced I could write. That can only be credited to the work God has been doing in me. I work full time as an office coordinator, but I am quickly learning that my heart is in writing…I’m still learning what that means, but enjoying the journey. Most of my writing occurs on weekends and on lunch breaks.
Until a month ago, i was a college student, majoring in English and literature. I’ve been writing since i was ten years old. I edited several student journals back in college and i love to write poems but now that i have to make a career choice, i think writing will always be a part of my life but i love singing and i’m going for it with the hope that i’ll still be able to write in my spare time. But then, of course, song writing is writing, no?