How to Make a Living as a Writer

A lot of people play with the idea of writing for a living. A few lucky people are born with fantastic connections that allow them to parley idiotic concepts like using sharks and tornadoes as the basis for a major film. Even when these films flop somehow there's still enough cash left over for these people to relax, drink, and lounge around doing nothing.

For the rest of us, all that's left is hard work.

But don't lose hope. Nepotism determines who is awarded the most lucrative film, television and publishing contracts. But there are plenty of crumbs left over for the rest of us to eek out a living, as long as you don't mind subsisting on Ramen noodles and the generosity of food pantries.

The sorry leftovers represent secure industries because the only people who would pursue them are those with a genuine passion and love for their craft. Plus, the work is too hard for the privileged entitled to ever bother with.

But hey, you're writing and supporting yourself so you can't complain! Right?

Here is a list of some ways to earn money while writing:

1. Novels, Screenplays, Etc.

By all means, write a screenplay or a novel! This is what you're aspiring to after all isn't it? Keep in mind that it's very difficult to get a contract with a major publisher, and don't allow yourself to be discouraged when your manuscript is rejected unread.

The comical thing is that major publishers always talk about how great they are about evaluating manuscripts, and then you hear stories about how JK Rowling and other famous writers got rejected hundreds of times.

Also, take note that the majority of new books published by major houses fail to earn back their advance, even with the advantage of tremendous marketing budgets. It's almost like the industry doesn't know what it's doing.

Writing a novel is, however, a fundamental pursuit for a writer. It provides you with the opportunity to wrestle with large ideas and perfect your craft.

Getting signed with a small publisher is a very achievable goal. Once you get a manuscript published, you'll find doors will open to other earning opportunities. For example, it will become much easier to sell freelance articles when you mention you have a novel contract.

You should always be ready for opportunity in case you write an article or publish a blog post that captures the fickle attention of the world wide media. If you happen to go viral, you can quickly become in demand, and it's easier to capitalize on that moment if you already have prepared something to sell.

2. Blogging

Yeah, blogging is so 2018 that I hesitate to even mention it, but I still meet writers who don't blog and I never fail to roundhouse kick them in the head.

Look, the internet isn't going away. Blogging is the easiest way to learn a little HTML code, how to arrange a layout, dabble in photography, and basically everything else you need to know that goes along with writing.

There is the opportunity for advertising revenue with a blog which can help you achieve a regular (if small) income. Hey, even if you make it big and get a contract with a massive publisher, you still have to learn how to gain revenue as you wait for further advances (royalty checks are like unicorns).

3. Influencer Marketing

Ah-ha, I bet this one is kind of new. You see, social media isn't just for picking stupid political arguments anymore. If you get smart with your social media profiles (in combination with your blog), you can sell links and articles on them.

The great news is that all of marketing has always been a joke from the beginning of time. Those evil corporations that steal our pensions and health care... you know them? They just set budgets for marketing and then never follow up on how effective they were. The result is kind of an opportunity to "steal" our money back.

Therefore if you have a huge Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc., following, you can sometimes get work as a high-level influencer even if nobody really interacts with you on your profiles.

Heck, 90 percent of Trump's twitter followers are Russian bots and he used the platform to get elected president! What's to stop you from using a similar idea to buy some groceries (the steaks approaching the 'sell by' date are always available at a discount).

Let's face it, you probably spend half of your 'writing' workday wasting time online. If you create a following on social media, it can make you money.

AND... once you are able to show a viable influencer profile to publishers you might graduate to the level where they at least read your manuscript before they reject it.

Believe me, that's a major upgrade.

You've heard the phrase, "fake it 'til you make it." Well, it's true. Most structures built on a foundation of lies topple over eventually, but the money you collect before the collapse can still buy you dinner.

4. Content Writing

Content writing is a great way to make a living as a writer. Instead of writing a story and sending it to a specific publication to get rejected. Publications are now posting assignments on communal message boards. You need only pick up the assignments, write them, and get paid.

It actually works.

Sure, a lot of the writing is dismal and boring. You'll be writing reviews or tedious 'How to' articles without a hint of personality. But the work will introduce you to new subjects (always interesting), make you work on your search engine optimization skills (you need to know it), and make your grammar second nature (your writing has to be perfect).

Content writing is good for you. If you're selling articles you're making progress even if the articles don't inspire you. Through content writing you can develop the skills to take advantage of inspiration when it does strike.

5. Cultivate Non-Writing Revenue Sources

I said before that even the most successful writers experience lean times. If you want to become a writer, you have to become financially savvy.

This is not optional.

Learn how to invest so that you have money to tide you over when the royalties are delayed. If you MUST sell something or you aren't going to EAT, then you won't be able to write ANYTHING.

I know this from experience.

Most of the people that maintain idealized notions of the writer's life fail to recognize that the grand majority of writers, even bestselling writers, hold part time jobs.

So, get a rental property, start a coffee shop, build an investment portfolio. Do something, anything to ensure you have some regular cash flow so that your writing revenue is a pleasant supplement rather than a desperate need.

The good news is that more and more opportunities for making a living as a writer are popping up on the market every day. Many of them allow you to build your skill level and improve your marketing position even as you earn regular income.

Keep your eye on the prize. Don't ever give up on the novel or the screenplay you want to write. But understand that the crumbs dropped from the big boy table are plenty of nutrition to sustain you until the big time hits.

It's a sad fact that half of all new publishing contracts go to the loser nephew or niece of the publisher. But the reality is that those "family pity" novels are forgotten almost as soon as the print dries.

It's only by diligently working your way to the top while subsisting on crumbs that you can develop the skills and achieve the wisdom necessary for writing something that truly endures.

And that's what you really want. If money had been the thing that motivated you, you'd be on Wall St. not experiencing vivid waking dreams in the library.

Just keep writing.