You'reasian Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Anyone here a successful or published writer? Can this be a good part-time gig if you're just writing about a hobby? Link to post Share on other sites
Storyrider Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I'm an unpublished writer so far, but I write for a salary and have done freelance writing. You might be able to make money blogging about a hobby, if you can attract advertisers to your blog site. Link to post Share on other sites
D-Lish Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Sedgewick is a writer... I believe she is about to have her second work published. Link to post Share on other sites
Storyrider Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 It is extremely difficult in today's publishing climate to make any kind of significant money by publishing a book. I wouldn't go into it for the money. Link to post Share on other sites
D-Lish Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 There is money in writing children's novels... Henry learns his ABC's and 123's. "Danger Stranger? Who do you tell?" You can bang out 5 or 6 of those a day. My most sucessful one to date: Stop It Uncle Tom, It Hurts! Link to post Share on other sites
Storyrider Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 There is money in writing children's novels... Henry learns his ABC's and 123's. "Danger Stranger? Who do you tell?" You can bang out 5 or 6 of those a day. My most sucessful one to date: Stop It Uncle Tom, It Hurts! You mean picture books? Did you publish some? Link to post Share on other sites
D-Lish Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 You mean picture books? Did you publish some? Lol...no. I was just being silly. However- there is money in it if you want to dedicate yourself. You don't spend months writing and editing.... I have been writing a novel for years... literally 8 years. I keep going back to it and changing and editing. I go through phases where I work diligently, then get discouraged and leave it for months. If one wants to write as a hobby to make some side cash, it's worth it to explore such an avenue. It's literally 10 words per page... maximum 10 page book? Then you team up with an illustrator, heck, a highschool art student even and submit your work. Explore some kids books, then check out who the publisher is and submit your work. They are always looking for new writers... it's just the material that gets dull. Alphabet, animals, potty training... Dr. Zuess was some off beat writing- even adults read it. Link to post Share on other sites
Storyrider Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Good point, although to write a really good kids' book, I don't think it is as easy as it looks. In fact, it is easier to write a wordy childrens' book than it is to write a concise one. What takes time is choosing the *right* words and hitting on a concept that parents will buy. Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 even 20 years ago in college, I was told that children's literature is the genre to get into. Not sure about being able to keep it simplified, though, everything I've done is wordy. one area you probably WON'T want to pursue is print journalism ~ newspapers are laying off big-time because of loss of readership/subscriptions. I'm on my way to becoming a dinosaur by remaining a keyboard monkey! Which really is a shame, because I believe newspapers are the one real avenue to get more indepth information in a timely manner ... Link to post Share on other sites
Capricciosa Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Anyone here a successful or published writer? Can this be a good part-time gig if you're just writing about a hobby? My third book is in the editing stage right now and will be out next fall. And I can tell you, to make it as a writer you have to be more than part time. And to do it for money is just ludicrous. There is very little money in writing given the amount of time it takes to finish things and get the book or a bunch of articles out there. The return isn't good, and despite that there is crazy competition. So you do it because it feeds you in more important ways. It is more a calling than a gig. Link to post Share on other sites
Tony T Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I wrote: "To Kill a Mockingbird"; "Roots"; "How to Win Friends and Influence People"; "Why Men Marry Bitches"; "Gone With the Wind"; "Writing Fiction for Dummies"; "Autobiography of Abraham Lincoln"; "Physicians Desk Reference"; "Why England Slept"; "Of Human Bondage"; and lots of others. I write mostly fiction...LOTS of fiction. I get paid by the word...LOTS of money. It's all fiction...believe it or not. Link to post Share on other sites
Author You'reasian Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 I write mostly fiction...LOTS of fiction. I get paid by the word...LOTS of money. It's all fiction...believe it or not. ......I do! Link to post Share on other sites
Saville Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I am a writer, albeit an unpublished one. I write every day, even if it is just to comment on the state of the dust bunnies. It is indeed a calling and any remuneration just a bonus. Yet, there are people publishing things all the time, and so, if the writing is of good quality and fresh, one never knows. I like the idea of writing a Children's book that had a morals attached. Perhaps something about a bouncing bunny who fell in love with a cool smiley, and how bigoted people were toward their relationship. They had a couple of children who were called Rileys, but it was no life of Reilly for these half-rabbit, half-smilies. The town they lived in tried to run them out. They suffered all kinds of abuse from these hateful, awful, disgusting townsfolk. It seemed that their lives would be a living hell, until Cool Smiley refused to sell anyone sunglasses (he owned a shop) so that they might enjoy the Solar Eclipse Festival. The entire town went blind as a result, except for the intermarried couple; who of course were wearing their Dolce Gabbanas. It wasn't long before the Rileys were completely accepted, because of how good-naturedly they helped the blind bigots around town. Saville Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 ooh! What about bunny's cousin, Dusty? What happens to him? Link to post Share on other sites
underpants Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 My tiny opinion is that one of the reasons the illustrated Hobbit series and the Where the Wild Things Are, were and are so successful is because of plot and awesome illustrations. With children's books it is a mutually collaborative effort. The children's book business is a competitive one. You have to make a masterpiece of both to really hit the nail on the head twice, and come up with a time honored classic. Link to post Share on other sites
Saville Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 ooh! What about bunny's cousin, Dusty? What happens to him? LOL Well I couldn't just give the whole book away here, now, could I? Saville Link to post Share on other sites
Storyrider Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 My tiny opinion is that one of the reasons the illustrated Hobbit series and the Where the Wild Things Are, were and are so successful is because of plot and awesome illustrations. With children's books it is a mutually collaborative effort. The children's book business is a competitive one. You have to make a masterpiece of both to really hit the nail on the head twice, and come up with a time honored classic. True in many cases, Unders, especially books for younger kids. Unfortunately, an unknown author doesn't get to choose her own illustrator or decide what the pictures will look like. This is all up to the editor and pubisher. Link to post Share on other sites
underpants Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 True in many cases, Unders, especially books for younger kids. Unfortunately, an unknown author doesn't get to choose her own illustrator or decide what the pictures will look like. This is all up to the editor and pubisher. I think we need to creatively get together. You got a plot, I got a paintbrush.... ahh haw. Froggy would a courtin' go. Link to post Share on other sites
Storyrider Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I think we need to creatively get together. You got a plot, I got a paintbrush.... ahh haw. Froggy would a courtin' go. That would be fun. :) Link to post Share on other sites
underpants Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 That would be fun. :) I think it would be too. PM me if you are serious. You have great writing instinct and skills. Plus a knack for the unforseen bystander perspective which I find endearing. Who knows? Link to post Share on other sites
Storyrider Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I think it would be too. PM me if you are serious. You have great writing instinct and skills. Plus a knack for the unforseen bystander perspective which I find endearing. Who knows? I am serious but tired!!! :laugh: Let me sleep on it. I have some kids' book ideas that I got bored with and shelved for a while. Some are really simple. Link to post Share on other sites
underpants Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I am serious but tired!!! :laugh: Let me sleep on it. I have some kids' book ideas that I got bored with and shelved for a while. Some are really simple. Me too. Although I have a mental image of the corn nuts story. He dove and dove, and held his breath for far too long, and then he found...turn the page. Perhaps the juvenille section we should venture? Link to post Share on other sites
Storyrider Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Me too. Although I have a mental image of the corn nuts story. He dove and dove, and held his breath for far too long, and then he found...turn the page. Perhaps the juvenille section we should venture? :lmao: I forgot all about the corn nuts!! Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat33 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 There is money in writing children's novels... Henry learns his ABC's and 123's. "Danger Stranger? Who do you tell?" You can bang out 5 or 6 of those a day. My most sucessful one to date: Stop It Uncle Tom, It Hurts! That is demented and not EVEN REMOTELY funny. Exactly who are you trying to impress? Link to post Share on other sites
serial muse Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Anyone here a successful or published writer? Can this be a good part-time gig if you're just writing about a hobby? I write for a living. So, if you're writing about a hobby, I'm assuming that means you're interested in writing articles for magazines, etc. - as opposed to novels? If you're not looking to survive on it, then sure, freelancing about your hobby can be a good part-time gig. I have a number of friends who are freelancers by profession, but they've got really good relationships with editors and have been around for a while, so it's a bit easier for them to make a living at it. A good place to get a feel for the biz is in a copy of the latest edition of Writers' Market. It's a massive tome that lists hundreds and hundreds of publications that take freelance writing submissions, including popular magazines, trade publications, nonfiction/fiction, etc. It's also chock full of useful stuff like what these publications' usual rates are ($1/word is about average, but you won't get that at some smaller publications), what sort of writing they take, how they want you to submit/query them, etc., as well as how to write a query letter and other generally helpful info. Basically, it's the writers' bible. Link to post Share on other sites
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