Earn a living as a writer

Funny how things work out. The editorial job at the medical office flew south because they had a problem with me going to my prenatal appointments. I’ve been making chump change grading test prep essays and making my pregnancy my main priority. I’m now thirty-three weeks along, farther than I’ve ever been, so this feels like new territory for me.

There are four projects that I’m working on and want to send out. Two for a contest, one for a newspaper, and one I need to find a home for. Here’s to getting these out sooner rather than later!

1. If all turns out as planned, I will continue editing/writing reports for this current medical office for a few months to save up a cushion. Meanwhile, I’m going to grade part-time for TPR until I can gauge how much I can expect to earn from it. Then respectfully resign. The work at this office isn’t bad, but the politics are stressful and the thought of eking out my days in this drab office are a drain on life. Supplement my income with tutoring/test prep.

2. Be on the hunt for article ideas and draft proposals, complete with sources. Send these babies out.

3. Come up with a business plan. Research how others do it. Visit freelance websites.

4. Organize my writing files so I know what’s in them.

Yesterday I applied for two more writing gigs, one as a proofreader and the other as an essay grader. I’m trying to build up my resume as well as make up income for my current puny paycheck, so that I won’t have to go back to teaching. I was actually considering it. And kicking myself for considering it. But there are two teacher listings sitting on my desk right now, and I’m waffling about whether I should apply.

I think about this goal during my lunch time, when I drive somewhere to park in the shade and eat my lunch in my car. I need to be more disciplined about writing my own stuff and sending it out there. I waste a lot of time watching my favorite shows, and then necessarily, cleaning, cooking, and tending the garden.

I’m also sorta on the lookout for my next writing job, because this job pays half of what I’m comfortable making and has no benefits of any kind. This company doesn’t really take care of its workers.

I am doing this, surprisingly, editing doctors’ reports in a chiropractic office. I do enjoy the work, though I recognize it for what it is, a meat and potatoes paycheck that will afford me the income and freedom to write what really matters to me and the work allows me to practice my skills.

Over the weekend, I discovered a book called “How to Start a Home-Based Writing Business (Parker). The pain in my gums was keeping me up last night, so I began to read it and it got me looking forward to what I really want to do. So I’ll be scheduling in chapters to read every week and formalizing a business plan to reach my writing goals. I’m going to compile the worksheets in a notebook starting today.

Also, need to get that Morro Bay essay DONE, so I can send it out. The sooner I finish it, the better. I’m going to celebrate the day after I send it out.

I sent out four CVs & resumes last Thurs. & Fri. for writing-related work, paid and unpaid.

Didn’t hear from the New York Times about my op-ed piece so I will find time to send it to the next place. Though I don’t think it will be placed till another timely story comes out about gang injunctions and I revised it to include the newer updates. I’d be very surprised if it was run sooner than that.

I got an A on my satire piece, with very few corrections needed. I saw a few places where Woody Allen used to submit his nonsensical pieces so I’m going to look those up first. See if they have a place for something like mine.

I’m also rushing against the clock to get my creative nonfiction piece ready to enter into a contest by the end of this month.

I wrote my first piece of satire, for a class assignment, last week and was very pleased with the results. I’m going to look for a place to publish it.

Finally ordered this year’s Writer’s Market at a very fine price. Can’t wait for it to arrive!

In all the wrong places. Why hasn’t anyone written a song like that yet? Truth is, I’m not trying hard enough. While I was teaching, I had been simultaneously saving money in an F-You Fund. My sister says everyone has one of those. And I’ve been too engrossed and excited about the writing to spend too much time job searching.

What I decided is that I’ll write on the week days, and on the weekends, send out resumes, so that I’m not neglecting one or the other. Plus, I’m more motivated, when the husband’s around, with unpleasant tasks.

My husband emails me links to about twenty stories a day, which I have trouble keeping up with, because I always have so many other things to do. But I discovered a good way to use them. The stories that pique my interest or in some way may be used in my writings are filed in different folders as a resource.

I’ve also been filing the scribblings from my twenties in folders, to be revised and turned into stories.