It's my 2 year anniversary at this day job, so I thought I'd tweet a bit about working full-time while writing full-time. I know the general perception is that all authors wish to write full-time, but that's not necessarily the case. -thread

I worked for a number of years at a corporate job where I was climbing the ladder like Spidey climbs a skyscraper. During this time, I wrote my first novel. All in all, I wrote and had over 20 works published in that time period.

Corporate America being what it is - I changed jobs in 2014. More pay, better benefits, but unfortunately a toxic work environment. My writing slowed somewhat 2014-2017, but I also landed my agent and sold about 10 books.

I worked up the nerve to flee my gilded cage in 2017. I downshifted my day job from corporate titan to administrative magician. Best move ever. I still had to work because hubs is self-employed and we need the insurance. Sadly, I was laid off in 2018. And I say sadly because...

Though I then had all the time in the world to write, I did not have the security needed. I was a vastly overqualified 50 y.o. woman applying for administrative jobs because I had consciously downsized that career. No one would even interview me.

In the nearly six months I was unemployed, I wrote less than 8,000 words.
That's right 8k.
How can this be? I had nothing but time, right?
But I couldn't get anyone to talk to me. COBRA payments were killing us.
Lesson learned: I need stability to be able to create.

And many people are in the same boat. As writers, we almost fetishize the idea of quitting the day job to write full time, but that's not necessarily a good or appropriate course for us. I spent almost all of 2019 trying to claw my way out of the pit.

I'm happy to report that once I felt comfortable in this new job, the words began to flow again. This year I have written 3 books and published another I had mostly done when the wheels came off.

So, today, on my workiversary, I am grateful for my day job. I have employers who appreciate the work I do for them. They also know I write and support me and cheer me on. I have insurance coverage for me and my beloved. My bills are paid. I am beyond blessed.

Watch out 2021, I've got a steady paycheck and list of ideas to be written. I'm also tagging my little talk in case someone else is struggling.
TL/DR: You don't have to quit your job to be a 'real' writer. #WritingCommunity #amwriting #EvenSupermanHasADayJob #40booksandcounting