Making a living as a Writer

(artist/self-employed creative/etc)

Trying to figure out how to make a consistent living in the arts can feel like trying to solve a maths equation which you can’t quite read, because you lost your glasses.

The equation could be as simple as 1+1+1=3, but you’re not sure because you can’t see it clearly.

The answer is just beyond you, slightly out of reach, so you feel as though you should have it — it’s easy after all, isn’t it? If so-and-so can do it surely I can too! It’s a simple problem with a simple solution…

Never mind the endless voices on the internet; courses and coaches and mentors alike, all saying, “I figured out 3! It’s easy! You can do it too! Sign up and I’ll tell you how.”

And lo, it drives you nuts. You’re smart after all, you know your work has worth, so surely you can crack the equation too?

The question lingers in the background, always twitching at the edge of your mind, never really leaving you in peace. Any kind of answer continues to elude you for months, possibly years, making you feel inadequate, frustrated, or even stupid. You try not to obsess over it, but you can’t help it.

Perhaps the answer is as simple as finding the number the 3, perhaps someone else only had to put on their glasses to see the crucial step they were missing — but just because that worked for them does not mean it will work for you.

We cannot find any answer without knowing what the equation is first. And, unfortunately, there is no equation, no recipe, no one-size-fits-all.

The biggest problem is obsessing over it — the suffering we put ourselves through while trying to figure it out. We blame ourselves for not having the answers to invisible questions, for getting it wrong, for failing.

If you’re stuck in that loop, try to come home — back to your core motivation, your core values:

• What you want to say?

• How do you want to spend your creative energy and time?

• What made you choose to pursue a creative life in the first place?

• If money were no object, what would you spend time creating?

If the financial stress is interfering with your creativity too much, see what can be done about that, because it is not worth sacrificing your voice, your words or your art on the alter of what might sell.

I’ll say it again; IT IS NOT WORTH SACRIFICING YOUR VOICE FOR WHAT MIGHT SELL.

Believe me, that doesn’t work, so don’t waste your time trying. I’ve been there, I’ve tried it, and I’ve seen countless other creative people burn themselves out, end up resenting their work and giving it up entirely in the same pursuit. Don’t let that happen!

Don’t blame yourself for not making a living as a creative (yet), because it’s really hard to do. Even most big names or “successful” artists are doing other things to supplement their income, you might just not be aware of it.

Don’t blame yourself for trying things, thinking that they might be “the answer”, only to have them not work out. It doesn’t mean that you failed.

Don’t blame yourself for signing up to those courses and coaches, only to find yourself back at square one.

Don’t blame yourself for not finding the magical number 3.

You’re not doing anything wrong, it’s simply tough out there, but your work is worth you showing up for either way.

Someone out there needs to hear exactly what you have to say. Someone needs your unique take on the world. Someone will be uplifted/inspired/perhaps even changed by you and your art.

So please don’t give up.

Tamzin xx

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