Sometimes, when people tell me they want to be a writer, I think I must come across as discouraging or a huge bummer, because I always end up sharing things I wish I'd known before I got into this career.

For example: before I was published, writing was a hobby. It was.a way to relax. It was fun. But now, it's my career. There's pressure. It's no longer just a fun way to express myself.

I always try to be clear that I love my job. That I don't regret getting published. Though I do sometimes wish I'd taken more time to just enjoy writing before I made it my career. I wish I'd realized how my view on writing would shift after my first book came out.

I never want to discourage people from pursuing writing as their career. However, I think it's important to understand that writing for fun and writing for work are very different things. That your relationship with writing will inevitably change if you pursue it as a job.

Loving to write doesn't mean you have to make it your job. It's completely okay to keep writing as a hobby. Not every person who enjoys writing is going to enjoy publishing. I think that's something that maybe should be talked about more than it is.

And none of that is me trying to be a bummer or discourage writers from pursuing publishing. But more suggesting to really think about *why* you want to make writing your career.

There are plenty of other factors to consider, too, of course. Like how complicated budgeting as a professional writer can be. How you cannot predict what kind of money you'll make on advances and how you may still need another income.

But in general, I think we need to prepare aspiring writers more for the realities of publication. I try to do this in the classes I teach. Not to discourage, but to be transparent.