Writing is a Career, Not a Hobby

This article is targeted to the friends, family, and associates of someone who is aspiring to be a writer. I recently reconnected with a friend of mine after a few years. We spoke for awhile catching each other up on what's been happening in our lives. I shared with him my experiences since I've moved to Southern California, along with the many opportunities and goals achieved in regards to my writing such as the film I co-wrote, 'Spin' that's been in more than a few film festivals and has won an award, my finished screenplay and my novel. I then decided to email him links to where he could read some of my writings including this blog.

His comment was "I think that you are a good writer, and that journaling and sharing are great activities."

The word activity threw me. I've never thought about my writing as an activity. It also made me think of my other friends who don't understand the work or the hours it goes into becoming not just a writer, but a successful one.

After a full days work, I must take a few hours no matter how tired I am to write either on my screenplays, short stories or novel. Then I search the web to see if there might be some freelance writing jobs that can pay me enough to where I can concentrate on my writing full-time instead of working in an office.

Then I search for writing contests or blogs where I can enter some of my writings or write for a blog to get my name out there as a writer and to bring in a little more money. There is also the searching a writer must do to keep themselves in the know like what's the latest in the world of publishing, screening writing, etc.

Plus, there is also the mailings and emailing of your sample writings and resume which can bring on a stream of rejections. Does any of this sound like it might be just a mere activity?

My friend back east might not understand the hours I put into my writing and why, but my friends here in California should. Just as much as I respect them for their jobs and careers is the same respect I want for mine.

So when your friends and family need a few hours a day to write or even weekends, please remember they're not just working on a hobby, but they are trying to build a career.

What are some of your writing struggles?