Taking the Plunge: Deciding Whether or Not to Pursue a Writing Career

Writing is something that I have always enjoyed doing. From the time I could, I was always one to have a notebook nearby where my story ideas would take form and eventually take flight. It was my way to escape, my outlet when all other outlets failed me.

But now I am older, and although my passion it has become regulated to the back of my "to do" list. It has become a side hobby, with most of my writing being either done as a part time copy editor or a freelance blogger. Both cases are satisfying in the sense that I am still writing, however they rarely if ever provide me with enough secured income to provide my family the life that they have become accustomed to.

But there is always that question floating around in my mind: Could I make it as a professional writer? Could I get published, make the sacrifices necessary to make writing my soul and complete means of income? Part of me is yearning to try, but in all honesty the idea of not knowing when my next paycheck is coming scares me quite a bit.

Like most Americans, I am in debt, mostly high interest credit card bills that call on a daily basis searching for money that we simply do not have to give them. Add to that the rising cost of electricity and gas for both the car and home; it is truly a miracle that we even have a house over our head. We are among the working poor; receiving too much money for the government to offer any assistance, but still not saving enough money for those small emergencies, let alone a rainy day.

So it is with this backdrop that the idea of trying my hand at professional writing is becoming more and more prevalent. It's crazy, I know. The pay is sporadic at best, and if you're one of the very few who has the luck and drive to do it successfully, the next article, short story or novel might just be your last. And then there is the whole idea of what to write. Can I come up with something that people will read? Can I come up with something unique, or a different viewpoint? One would hope that it is possible, but with the number of people who try and fail every year, the hope can diminish quickly.

But if one could flip the coin around, so to speak, the other side is full of promise and possibilities. Writing allows you the freedom to choose the avenues of exploration that you simply cannot find in a regular 9 to 5 day job. It also offers the ability to work at home, a place where most people are the more comfortable. Above all else, though, having the ability to look at a published document and know that others will read it has a wonderful effect on someone's sense of pride and accomplishment. Having the feeling of that sweet thrill running down your spine is truly a wonderful thing.

So now I stand and look over the precipice, wondering if I should make the leap and try my hand at professional writing. While the desire is there, financial aspects of my life require that I keep a steady income, at least for a little while more. So I'll keep writing, and working on that stereotypical Great American Novel. Perhaps in a few years, my name will be on the best sellers list.