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Home  Browse All Articles Improve Your Writing Live to write... Write to live
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Live to write... Write to live |
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Written by Jenese Morris
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Tuesday, 17 October 2006 |
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No matter what others say, you are who you are - a writer and as you live to write, learn all the ways to be creative and write to live....
So, how many of you writers reading this article right now have been asked or encouraged by a friend or family member to get a real job? They don’t really come out and say that you are wasting your time or that writing will only lead to starvation. They subtly suggest other ‘real’ job opportunities; they are forever asking... “So what are you working on?” but you can always tell that they are not really interested. They just want to create a platform on which to steer you in a more ‘practical’ direction.
It’s quite funny, actually. When my friends ask, “So, are you working?” They are really asking if I am producing a documentary or commercial or working as a communications consultant on a project…..you know, something that pays the bills. I always say to them, ”I’m always working, I’m a writer.” There was a time when I used be quite annoyed by this. The fact that I have a home-based business, everyone assumes that I am always available to talk, to suggest the right word or phrase for whatever they are working on.
This I find ironic. They don’t really take writing seriously enough to understand that I need to write even if it means I am not earning, but they think about it every time they need someone to look over a paper or document that they wrote or to give them the proper word to make an impact in their ‘real jobs’.
So what do you do about it? You continue to be the creative person that you are. You continue to work on your projects regardless of what others think. It’s not about them. It’s about who you are…..a writer. So live to write. And the more you write, the better you become. Then you take all those insinuations about your work and subtle remarks that annoyed you and you turn them into constructive criticisms, and you write to live. After all, you are a writer and there are many ways to earn a living from writing – directly and indirectly. Some areas you probably never thought of exploring, maybe because you are forgetting the creative and technical elements that you have to process to be a good writer. Here are some ideas you can explore:
Tutoring: - There are students and adults who would love to strengthen their communication skills both written and verbal. So put a simple brochure together and distribute them in schools, offices and anywhere you think they will be read. Let people know that you are offering this service. Sometimes word of mouth is your best advertising tool. Put an ad in the paper if you so choose, just get started. Set your rate according to how you want to work – per hour, per half hour, one on one sessions or small groups – you decide what you can handle.
Proofreader: Like me, maybe people are always asking you to look over their stuff, so why not make a business of it. Send in your interest to publishers, colleges/universities, government ministries, International organizations etc. There are always documents, books, thesis and proposals to be checked and double checked.
Copywriter: Have you thought about writing commercials but have not yet made an attempt? Go ahead and give it a try. Then explore the options at advertising agencies. While most work with in-house writers, there are times when freelancers are needed.
Reading: This might seem a little strange to some but just think about it, nothing improves your writing than reading. Sometimes you don’t even realize that you are learning something new. In this case, you are reading aloud. It takes a certain amount of creativity to do this properly. In the same way you have to develop a character, an interesting plot, you can read aloud with such interest and expression that the listener is totally captivated. Do the research and find who has the need for audio books. Look at Institutions for the visually impaired, convalescent homes, training facilities, and schools. Sometimes you can create this niche and propose that this service is needed.
Everything that I have suggested are areas that you cover in your own work, even tutoring. You have to continue to tutor yourself for you to be great at what you do. So what you are doing is using the same tools to earn a living. Write a speech, a proposal, a tribute, letters, help a student analyze a poem, or literature, help with their grammar; teach them how to speak and read properly. And in doing all this, while you live to write, you can write and live.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 01 January 2007 )
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