Valuing Our Writing Job

Have you realized when you first meet someone, one of the first questions asked is, “What do you do?” Americans are taught that our true value lies in our jobs. More than anything, it’s important how much money we make so we can buy new cars and get the newest technology. (Admitting it is the first step to recovery: I want the iPad!) 

Nearly two years ago, I was a recent college grad and a new bride. I spent most of my time searching for jobs and was excited for this new adventure! Weeks passed. Then months passed. I ravaged every job-searching website and probably killed dozens of trees printing and mailing résumés. I made a million phone calls and went door-to-door in my town to every business, more than once, begging (not on my hands and knees but pretty close!) for them to hire me. I heard nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Then on one of many nights crying my eyes out in my husband’s arms, he said to me, “Maybe this is your time to write.” He suggested I spend half the time searching the internet and sending out résumés and the other half getting back to writing.

This stunned me. Writing more and spending less time looking for paying work? What did that mean? I couldn’t quite wrap my head around it. It’s my experience that writers, especially unpublished writers, aren’t really valued. We work from home, in our jammies if we want, and probably won’t make any money at all. I blogged last week how hard it is to admit I’m a writer because I have nothing to show for it. No one takes me seriously since I’m not receiving a salary. So when my husband suggested I spend more time writing, I was scared. It was bad enough I had to tell people I was unemployed (taboo!), now I had to tell them I spend as much time writing as I do looking for a “real” job. Here I had an extraordinary husband, supporting me and reminding me to do what makes me happy, and my stress level elevated. Yeesh. What was wrong with me?

I’d been trying so hard to make my degree and qualifications worthwhile. I had graduated with honors at my parents’ expense. Didn’t I owe it to my parents and all the hard work I put into my degree to get a well-paying worthy job like everyone else? That's what everyone expected of a college grad. Once again, my hero stepped in with five simple words: “Who cares what anyone thinks?”

I wish I could say I’m unconcerned with how others view my career status, but I do care. It’s still hard sometimes to stop job searching for the day and get in my writing time. I don’t think I’ll ever be truly comfortable with writing as my job until I have an agent or a few stories or articles published.

Even though I still look for a “real” job (after all, I do want an iPad!), every day I remember that writing is worthwhile no matter the monetary gain (or deficit). Here are three things I think are most valuable about writers and our job:

1.) Our Open Minds. Writers may have to research anything from changing a tire to committing murder. They might interview anyone from a 1st grade student to a drug addict. Writers pay attention to people, listen closely, and observe. Writers might not know exactly what you’re feeling, but they can imagine it pretty darn close. Writers might not understand why you act how you do, but they continue to try. Writers accept you for who you are because probably a character modeled after you is living inside their head 24/7.

2.) Our Awareness (2a. & Our Humility). Sometimes I write things I know absolutely nothing about. As I imagine my setting and how my characters react, I think about the real people who could be in this situation. Writing has made me much more aware of the world we live in. I pay attention to the news, major headlines and the barely noticeable three-line paragraphs. The written word is everywhere and someone has to write about it all. That’s what you and me are doing. Yet, as I garner ideas reading about events and people, the wonderful and the terrible, I remember how small I truly am in this big, big world. I remember to write the truth how I see it, but to also consider how others might see it differently.

3.) Our Fellow Employees. Of course I always knew there were hundreds of people out there with writing aspirations. When I discovered writing blogs a few months ago, I realized those hundreds of people were probably thousands AND many of them felt exactly as I do, published or not! It was amazing. After only a week from starting my writing blog, I feel so inspired and encouraged! The writing community is filled with incredible, valuable people. So thank you to anyone reading my blog and to those who’ve commented and follow me!!! 

“Only the man [or woman] who crosses the river at night knows the value of the light of day.” ~Chinese Proverb

“Writing is my time machine. It takes me to the precise time and place I belong.”  ~Jeb Dickerson

Share with me!

What are the things you value most about writing? Has writing as a job always been worthy to you, or do you struggle with it?