very useful information. I agree with most of the comments and what you said - you have to really want it. plus, starting off as side hustle and then seeing how it goes is a pretty good strategy to get started
Great article! I am going to ramble a bit, and I apologize in advance.
You mentioned quitting drinking. I did that earlier this year and then claimed Straight Edge, so I’ve got that down! Alcohol murders any creativity I ever experience anyways. I used to think I was just like Stephen King, drinking and getting high and “writing” (which would often consist of me doing ANYTHING at the computer BUT writing) just like he allegedly used to. We are not all Stephen Kings, I found out.
And this isn’t a testimonial, per se, but as for health insurance, I am on Medicaid and it has been a quite-literal LIFESAVER. I am in Montana and I am currently unemployed with bipolar 1 and BPD, so I was able to get on Medicaid and get my otherwise VERY expensive psych meds (my Vraylar alone is $1300 for a 30 day supply) for FREE.
I did it when I lived in NY, too - I walked into my local hospital’s billing/financial office, explained my situation and they got me signed up for Medicaid there. In Montana I did it online by Googling “apply for Montana Medicaid”. I’m sure you can replace “Montana” with your state of residence.
To other struggling writers: Ya do what ya gotta do to survive! Never feel guilty about asking for help if you need it. I was even on EBT for a time because I really needed the help. That’s what it’s for!
Absolutely! We can't get through this life without help, that's become very clear to me, despite what our nation likes to say about being self-made (not possible). I wish that all people had access to a decent health plan without having to fill out forms. The chance of being rejected is too high for too many. Thanks for the comment!
So many likes but no comment. Needed to change this, Walter ❤️
I love that you shared all these aspects. In addition, you often see writers share their income before taxes.
In Germany I can only keep about 35%.
You have to ask people about the revenue!
In my conversation with Elna Cain (freelance writer, 6 figures) she shared that 1000 a month can for some be already full time depending on the country. In Pakistan average salary is 160 bucks.
If you really want to it you have to be willing to go in a risk.
If not, you work full time and have a side hustle.
I don't recommend it but that's how my hubby and I are doing it
Thanks for sharing Walter 💰 is an important topic.
That’s a great point! All across the world a livable wage means something different. You mentioned the revenue you keep, but I assume you have universal health care. We don’t have that in the US. Plus, there’s no cap on healthcare expenses. In this country, you always run the risk that you might slip and break an arm and have it end up costing you $250,000. It really is that ludicrous here.
Living in a country with universal healthcare would make it a lot easier to survive as a writer.
I write every day even if its just a sentence.
very useful information. I agree with most of the comments and what you said - you have to really want it. plus, starting off as side hustle and then seeing how it goes is a pretty good strategy to get started
do you really want to be a homeless writer? just write when you can
There's some good practical advice in here mate. Thanks for writing this!
Thanks for reading!
Great article! I am going to ramble a bit, and I apologize in advance.
You mentioned quitting drinking. I did that earlier this year and then claimed Straight Edge, so I’ve got that down! Alcohol murders any creativity I ever experience anyways. I used to think I was just like Stephen King, drinking and getting high and “writing” (which would often consist of me doing ANYTHING at the computer BUT writing) just like he allegedly used to. We are not all Stephen Kings, I found out.
And this isn’t a testimonial, per se, but as for health insurance, I am on Medicaid and it has been a quite-literal LIFESAVER. I am in Montana and I am currently unemployed with bipolar 1 and BPD, so I was able to get on Medicaid and get my otherwise VERY expensive psych meds (my Vraylar alone is $1300 for a 30 day supply) for FREE.
I did it when I lived in NY, too - I walked into my local hospital’s billing/financial office, explained my situation and they got me signed up for Medicaid there. In Montana I did it online by Googling “apply for Montana Medicaid”. I’m sure you can replace “Montana” with your state of residence.
To other struggling writers: Ya do what ya gotta do to survive! Never feel guilty about asking for help if you need it. I was even on EBT for a time because I really needed the help. That’s what it’s for!
Absolutely! We can't get through this life without help, that's become very clear to me, despite what our nation likes to say about being self-made (not possible). I wish that all people had access to a decent health plan without having to fill out forms. The chance of being rejected is too high for too many. Thanks for the comment!
So many likes but no comment. Needed to change this, Walter ❤️
I love that you shared all these aspects. In addition, you often see writers share their income before taxes.
In Germany I can only keep about 35%.
You have to ask people about the revenue!
In my conversation with Elna Cain (freelance writer, 6 figures) she shared that 1000 a month can for some be already full time depending on the country. In Pakistan average salary is 160 bucks.
If you really want to it you have to be willing to go in a risk.
If not, you work full time and have a side hustle.
I don't recommend it but that's how my hubby and I are doing it
Thanks for sharing Walter 💰 is an important topic.
That’s a great point! All across the world a livable wage means something different. You mentioned the revenue you keep, but I assume you have universal health care. We don’t have that in the US. Plus, there’s no cap on healthcare expenses. In this country, you always run the risk that you might slip and break an arm and have it end up costing you $250,000. It really is that ludicrous here.
Living in a country with universal healthcare would make it a lot easier to survive as a writer.