Being a Writer, Having a Job
This is my favorite item on Roxane Gay’s How To Be a Contemporary Writer list:
22. You will probably need a job unless you’re fine with financial stress. Yes you can have a job and be a writer. It happens all the time. I used to be fine with financial stress because I was young and my fantasies were exciting. I am not anymore because I am old and I love my apartment and health insurance and buying stupid shit. A job facilitates these things so keep it in mind. There are worse things than a job.
Sometimes I feel like over the years I’ve given in too much to my fears of financial stress. There are risks I haven’t taken. I am certainly working on that (and making progress).
But essentially, I agree. You can have a job and be a writer.
