Author Els Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 After many years of working jobs I hated, I now make my living as a writer, and I LOVE it!! How did you start out? Link to post Share on other sites
sedgwick Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 How did you start out? I've been writing since I was three, so in a sense that's how I started out. But what ultimately happened was that I had an idea for a book, pitched it to an agent, and the agent sold it to a publisher (my dream publisher, actually!) That was a long hellish process, but it's all been worth it, because now my job is to live my life and write about it! The best way to start is with Jeff Herman's guidebook (long title, just type in his name on amazon and it will be the first one that comes up.) Then start querying agents. It's harder to get an agent than a book deal, but once you have an agent, the game is on! Link to post Share on other sites
Author Els Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 No, I mean, you just started writing a novel for publishing right away? No getting your name around by working for a few magazines or writing freelance articles or ezines? Link to post Share on other sites
sedgwick Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 (edited) My book is a memoir, not a novel. My degrees aren't in writing at all. My undergrad is in theatre and my MFA is in sculpture! I basically just went to school to study the things I was interested in BESIDES writing. Writing was something I was always doing anyway, and I didn't want to make myself hate it by going to school for it. Oh, and you don't apply to work for a magazine or newspaper, you write articles and submit them to the publication you think would want them. I don't know anyone who's been published in a periodical who actually works for them, they all just freelance. Nobody asks what your degree is in; if the writing is good, they buy it! And yes, I was published in a few before selling my book, but that had nothing to do with why my publisher bought it. Edited February 25, 2010 by sedgwick Link to post Share on other sites
Author Els Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 Hm, yes, I totally get your point with regards to going to school for writing! I would prefer not to myself but I sorta heard that people usually prefer that the writer has a degree in journalism/writing or at least some sort of BA! Really, you just write the article FIRST and then submit it and see if they'd like it, without being commissioned with a particular topic? Don't magazines always have certain ideas of what they'd want in each edition and then commission writers to get those done? Link to post Share on other sites
sedgwick Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Really, you just write the article FIRST and then submit it and see if they'd like it, without being commissioned with a particular topic? Don't magazines always have certain ideas of what they'd want in each edition and then commission writers to get those done? Yup, you write the article first and then submit it! If you go to their websites, you'll see submission guidelines. Read their magazine to get a feel for what interests them and the general writing style. Yes, sometimes writers are commissioned for certain stories, but the great majority of what's published is freelance. Link to post Share on other sites
Neutrino Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 One thing, though - my mother had always said that it was her dream to see her daughter as a pharmacist/doctor. I am their only child, and she loves me so much. That's why I took the degree. I think it would break her heart if I went into anything else. In my opinion being a pharmacist is an interesting job with constant developments - and close to chemistry and medicine, but this is all a matter of taste. I appreciate you wish to make your mom happy - but if she loves you so much - do you think she would be happy knowing you are following HER wishes and not your own..? I'm an engineer and a physicist - I LOVE my job although it has its more challenging days, my favorite part is solving problems in processes and system-design, I also like training customers and traveling... I don't expect things to be a party all the time - but it is never boring. Both my parents are construction engineers - so naturally they were not too upset with my choice - but this is just the way things turned out. Is there any way you could find some aspect of being a pharmacist interesting while studying something else ? Is there any way for you to find a job related to your field where you could still use your education and do something you enjoy ? Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I've been gainfully unemployed doing what I love for over two decades now. Freedom, great customers and loving the modest lifestyle it provides. Stbx was a glitch in the matrix, but I'm back on track now. Looking forward to dying broke with a smile on my face and a few good friends. Link to post Share on other sites
threebyfate Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Elswyth, don`t live for your parents but also, don`t discount something that you`ve only spent three months at, whereby you haven`t even done most of the job, on a normal basis. Try it for a year and if it`s not your thing, consider some of the suggestions that other members have provided, which incorporates your pharmeceutical knowledge, with your other interests. As for my job, I usually love it, although I tend to move around to different aspects of the industry, from time to time. In the past few years, I`ve been a self-employed consultant, which has given me some freedom, which has been wonderful. But I do miss the daily muck and grind of the corporate jungle. Right now, I have no interest in what I`m doing, so I`m going to stop working at the end of March. Baby brain has taken over. We`ll see what happens after Bump is born, whether I can kick start my interest again. Link to post Share on other sites
SarahRose Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 i haven't met any pharmacists who have enjoyed their jobs...its hard work, on you feet all day, same drudgery every day, liability issues, high turnover in staff, long hours. the best i guess is a hospital pharmacist, don't do the drug store route But you do get to tell people at parties you are drug dealer for a living:D Link to post Share on other sites
DMoon Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 The problem with combining my degree and my hobby is that opportunities aren't many. There are definitely far more options for, say, a website or software designer than a medical writer, for instance. Besides, I'm not even recognized as a pharmacist anywhere except my country, and I want to get out. As for writing, if I had a relevant degree I would apply to work for a magazine or newspaper. I understand that churning out one's own books can't feed anyone until they get published/famous. Before you decide –maybe you should shadow individuals in the software industry first before you go for the degree. Interview people who are in your fields of interests and see what they do every day before you decide if it feels right to pursue. As for writing and creative endeavors, Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way is a great way to work through the trepidation of breaking into a creative field. Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones is a good way to jump start your writing as well. As others have mentioned degrees are immaterial if the writing is good. Still, you can parley your degree into pharmacy/bioinformatics informatics which utilizes database management and experiential fields, or pharmacy research. You do have a lot of options, if you need to support yourself while your work on your creative avocations. The thing is you have a tremendous amount of opportunity. You don’t have to get stuck in drudge and soul crushing boredom and it could be an entrée out of your country. At least you are not lamenting that you hate your profession 20 years later. Link to post Share on other sites
spookie Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I don't enjoy about 15% of my job, which consists of doing the most boring, repetitive, tedious s!ht you can imagine. The other 85% is great. I get to be sort of creative, I get to boss people around, the company pays for my study hours and gives me raises each time I pass an exam, and with all the coffee breaks and "team meetings" it kinda feels like high school (or like I imagine high school felt for the popular kids). I get to play bridge every day, too. It's pretty sweet. Link to post Share on other sites
spookie Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I should mention that my little-known profession (actuary) is consistently ranked amongst the "best" and best-paid. And it requires no special educational requirements past a bachelors degree in any field, and the ability to pass exams. Link to post Share on other sites
biqboy42o Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I'm an office administrator for an import business and i'm proud to say that I love my job. Link to post Share on other sites
Tayla Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Elyswyth- Depending on your area college, The career development office has test geared to aide in branch offs from the main field of study. Pharmaceutical can also entail Selling and Overseas manufacturing, which technically a well versed person would need to apply the chemical skills. If you are a Type that doesnt care for redundant , repetitive or Close quarters then chose something that is each day a new and challenging experiece. There are some folks that are just plum happy to be in a repetitive job...its secure and safe and never changes. Footnote: Love my career, Love the dynamics of it, absolutely detest some of the business politics,protocols,and some staffers who seem to be "TITLE" addicted. Just plum grateful to have a career that I get paid to smile and really mean it! Link to post Share on other sites
gypsy_nicky Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 I know this thread is old but to answer the OP, I hate working in general, even if its in a field I'm really interested in. You start to feel mechanical after a while working day in and day out. After I graduate, I will keep working short hours and try and get a job with decent pay. Link to post Share on other sites
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