make a living as a writer and never set foot in an office again

I’ve been thinking a lot over the past week or so about what I want to do with my life. It’s been a trying few days, but I think I’ve finally gotten a little clarity about the situation. I talked with my friends (both here and in RL), and I talked with Chris quite a bit, I meditated and prayed, and in the end I (self-consciously) wrote a letter to God asking Her to help me see my path. After I wrote it, I made a conscious effort to keep my heart and mind open to guidance, and I keep getting the same answer over and over again: I want to write. Well, that’s obvious, isn’t it? But what I mean is that I think it’s time for me to get serious about it and really knuckle down. I’m sure there are a dozen things I could do with my life, but the only way I’m going to find the contentedness and sense of purpose I crave is to wholeheartedly pursue my natural gift. I don’t really know how to go about making a living as a writer (the novel isn’t anywhere near finished), but I do know I need to get organized and send some of my short stories out to magazines and contests. I’ve been mulling over the idea of starting a blog; it’s supposed to be a great way to get your name out there, but I’m hesitant about posting my work online for just anybody to do with as they please. I think the Florida move can only do good things for this goal, so I’m also going to start researching what’s available down there as well.

So I am changing this goal from “figure out how to make a living doing something I love and never set foot in an office again” to “make a living as a writer and never set foot in an office again.” The office bit is vital, so I’m keeping it. =^)

Thanks to everyone who’s offered encouragement over the past week, and I’d appreciate any advice anyone has to offer. Take it easy, everybody.

I’ve spent nearly all my professional life (such as it is) in offices, and I hate them. (This probably accounts for my chronic job-hopping.) My husband, the good little techy geek, is perfectly happy to spend the vast majority of his waking hours in a cube farm, but I feel like I’m crawling out of my skin just being here. At least I have a nice big window now, although I spend a lot of time just staring out at the little redbud tree and daydreaming about not being here. I want to start figuring out what I want to do with myself before we move to Florida, although I don’t plan to switch jobs again before we go. I’d love to be a published author and write full-time, but I think I need to come up with an alternate plan that doesn’t rely on the whims of publishers and editors.

Here are my ideas so far:

1. Own my own bookstore. I’ve considered this on and off for years. I love books. I’m an avid reader, and I have extensive library experience and limited retail experience. Pros: Be my own boss; books; casual atmosphere; helping people; I’m incredibly organized. Cons: No start-up capital; don’t know how to get started, acquire stock, etc.; could fail and leave me SOL.

2. Yoga instructor. This is more of a pipe dream than an actual option. I love to daydream about this, but I’m so far from being able to achieve this. Pros: Helping people; physical; I’d be a lot less stressed; go to work in my pajamas. ;^) Cons: Not ready for this; weird hours (?); I sweat a lot.

3. Personal trainer. This may be more attainable. Pros: Helping people; physical; booming market. Pros: Not ready for this either; I sweat a lot. (How many shower breaks a day can I take?)

4. The girl who rents jet skis to tourists. Okay, this is a joke… mostly. This is what I’ve been telling everyone when they ask what I plan to do when we move. Pros: Outside; wear a swimsuit to work every day; casual; by the water. Cons: I’d have to wear a swimsuit to work every day; doesn’t pay well; get hit on by drunk tourists.

Why can’t I just be a pirate and leave it at that?