Pros and Cons of Being a Full Time Writer

The reality doesn’t always match up to the fantasy

My dream was always to be a full-time writer. I dreamed of a writer’s lifestyle, being able to make my own schedule, to have passive income and to work anywhere I wanted.

I dreamed of having people read my work and tell me how inspired they were and how much it helped them.

So when I got the chance to write full time, of course I said yes! I quickly learned that even though there are many perks, just like any job there are downsides as well.

Do you want to be a full time writer? Take this Quiz: Are You Doing as Much as You Could Be To Make Your Dream Come True?

1. 90% of my interactions with other people are through the computer

The upside is that I have connected with thousands if not millions of other people all over the world, something you can’t do in person. I’ve met and talked to people in so many different countries, gotten different opinions and viewpoints and learned about other cultures.

The downside is that the vast majority of these interactions are through the computer. Zoom and other similar platforms are great because you can actually see the person on the other side of the screen, but they are still on the other side of the screen. There is just something different about being in the presence of another human being.

2. I don’t have to get ready

The upside is I can roll out of bed and jump on the computer without bothering to look in the mirror or change out of my P.J’s. I get to be comfy all day long and something I don’t even put on a bra (shh). If I do decide to put on some actual clothes, they are usually something equally as comfortable like yoga pants. It’s rare I put on jeans unless I’m leaving the house, and even then yoga pants usually are the winner.

The downside is I look and sometimes feel like a bum. I mean, it’s okay since I don’t see people on most days if I’m working from home, but there is something about changing into a nice outfit and putting on makeup that makes you feel good. Sure, I can still do that every day while working from home, but there doesn’t really seem to be a point if no one but me sees it. I guess I could post selfies, but that seems a little vain.

3. I can work anywhere I want

The upside is I can literally work while laying on the beach. I can go to any café I want and order a delicious coffee and pastry. Even if I only write one sentence while I’m out, I’m still technically working. And on the days I don’t want to leave the house I don’t have to. I can get up, make myself a nice breakfast and then head into my office. Heck, I can even work from my bed if I really feel lazy.

The downside is 85% of the time I never leave the house. It’s just such a hassle to take my laptop with me. I have to pack it up and make sure I bring the charger, the mouse, a notebook and pens at minimum. Plus, I have a nice cushy setup on my desk with a wrist pad. And have you ever actually tried to take your laptop to the beach? Not a good idea, way too much sand and water.

4. I can work anytime I want

The upside is I can make my own schedule and it’s pretty darn awesome. I get up when I want and go to bed when I want. I don’t have to worry about oversleeping unless for some random reason I decide to schedule a meeting early in the morning. I get the luxury of having breakfast and coffee before or while I work and taking lunch breaks whenever I get hungry. And if a friend calls me to hang out, I can just stop what I’m doing and join her. Definitely one of my favorite parts of being a writer.

The downside is I have to really self-directed and disciplined, which I’m not. I’ve tried making a schedule where I work from 10–5 or whatever, but do I stick to it? Not really. I get so easily distracted and end up reading, scrolling on social media, talking to a friend, cleaning the house, walking the dog or pretty much anything that isn’t writing. The annoying part is sometimes I just don’t feel inspired to write. I’ll sit there and stare at the screen, trying to force myself to write something decent. I’m the type that does my best work when I’m inspired. When I feel it the words just flow and they are good. I can’t force it and when I try half of it is junk. So the reality is I don’t really work when I want, it’s a bit more complicated than that.

5. I can talk to my friends throughout the day

The upside is I can hang out and chat with friends pretty much all day long. It’s nice for mental health breaks because I need social interaction. It’s great to be able to answer the phone whenever it rings to or respond to a text when I want to. It’s nice to be able to go out for lunch or a walk whenever we are both free.

The downside is they can be a distraction. A welcome distraction, but still a distraction. Most of my friends don’t really understand writing, they might think it’s cool or interesting, but they aren’t really people I can talk to about what I’m writing. In previous jobs where I had coworkers, I could bounce ideas off them and they would give feedback since we were working together. My friends are great, but they aren’t good for giving writing advice, even though many think they are. And the other downside is most of our interactions are over the phone since many of them have regular jobs. That is great sometimes but it can quickly become very lonely when everyone seems to be busy and you are at home, staring a blank screen.