(Supporting) Jobs

[cxw]

I've been working an office job as long I've worked. I'm written around my 9-5 and made it work by writing in the mornings, at lunch, and after the day is done -- anything to keep the creative pot bubbling. But I've had enough, and it's time for a change.

Is there anyone out there who works freelance, especially in some other aspect of the industry, and gets their writing done around this? I'm hoping that by going freelance (post-production) and making more money for fewer hours worked, I'll have more time and flexibility to write. How's it working for you?

If not freelance, what do you do? I'd appreciate any perspectives on this, and on other jobs that help you get by while you chase the screenwriting dream. Are you a bartender? Houspainter? Nude maid? What works for you?

[cxw]

I'm going to broaden my question from above, because I think I made it too specific:

What do you do to make money to support your writing? How's it working for you?

[scottmyers]

Writing is hard. Writing when you work 9-5 even tougher. But not insurmountable. One of the most successful screenwriters in the business Ron Bass used to be an entertainment lawyer. Successful, and yet he wanted to be a writer. So he would wake up at 3:30AM and write until 6AM. He wrote, as I recall, 4 novels, then quit his job to pursue screenwriting.

A freelance gig may afford you more time. And yet, did you know if you write 1-page per day, you can knock out two spec scripts per year? One month to prep, four months for a first draft, one month to revise. 2 scripts per year at 1 page per day.

[songswithoutwords]

I work 50 hour weeks on average. I have 4 kids. And, I'm a lazy person. But there's always time to write.

Like you, I write in the morning, or at lunch. Evenings I tend to stare blankly at the screen, but occasionally words end up on the page. I ride my bike to work; I write in my head while on my bike. Weekends at home, sometimes I get in a few hours straight, albeit with constant interruptions from family.

If I quit my job, I would never be able to write.

I need this tension. I need it to be a struggle beyond all the other psychological bullshit that comes with writing.

Freelance wouldn't work for me. In my industry, freelancers work more than I do. Why? Hours = cash. That becomes an addiction. Even assuming I could be reasonable and did have more spare time, it would all get used up staring blankly at the screen.

[dwight]

I do web/database stuff 8-5. And it's hard to find the time to write with that. But at the same time, being young and single means with a little self discipline I can do quality writing in the evenings and weekends. I think for me it would be harder to write if i was freelance. But the dislike in the job currently inspires me to better my writing so i can eventually get out of the 8-5 or at least go down in a blaze of glory trying.

[poindexta]

I'm a freelance editor (post-production). When a job's on, it can be full on, and difficult for me to find time to write, but I generally work on longform TV series so it can be grueling and brain-frying (although at least I'm always working on some form of storytelling). When the job's over, however (like now! yay!), I have all the time in the world.

Having too much time on your hands can be a bit of a problem too, however! I find I need a bit of structure in my life.

[pepperdine]

Hi guys, ;D

I'm an ER Nurse. On my days off, I'm a screenwriter and get on the 'puter for 8am - off by 2pm.

Productivity depends on the tasks in hand that day, ie, polishing script to send out or grappling with a stubborn ending to a feature (Oy!) or trundling along happily with a story I love.

I do worry about having to leave my post to be a screen writer should I start getting assignments. I'd mutate into a hermit and my only words per day would be 'Thank you' and that would be to the checkout girl at my local store. My career forces me to interact and the sound bytes are...priceless.

I guess money will dictate in the end. Sad but true.

First post here. Great site.