Blog: A Writer’s Dream – Why I Aspire to Be My Own Boss
Brooding Man, a statue located in Winchester Cathedral, UK.
“Labour Day is a celebration of the working class and their endless contributions to the fabric of society.” – Noam Chomsky.
“No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
May 1st, 2025.
Seven years ago, if someone wished me, “Happy Labour Day” on May 1st, I would have laughed at the irony. Working twelve to fourteen hours a day in the IT field, under high pressure and strict deadlines, was definitely not my idea of happiness.
But then, I quit the IT field to pursue my love for literature. The road was bumpy; it still is. For better or for worse, I persevered. I landed some challenging yet rewarding full-time and freelance job opportunities that helped me hone my craft and provided me with financial stability. Looking back, I am grateful I dared to make the career switch in my mid-twenties so that at the start of my thirties, I am at least working in a field I love and adore.
But it is human nature to be restless, ambitious, and even greedy at times, right? So here’s what I am looking forward to achieving in the next seven years – to Be My Own Boss. As someone who values my individuality and freedom, this is paramount for me. And here’s why.
In my writer and editor job roles, I am constantly lending my voice to other authors, brands, and companies. My job has involved tasks ranging from proofreading to developmental editing, and even writing and ghostwriting gigs. I have also adapted Chinese audio shows for the US market. This process involves writing many original scenes, and reworking plotlines, character arcs, and even the climax.
Whether it’s the publishing or entertainment field, for amateur writers who are yet to earn a name for themselves, the rates are often exploitative. Many times, their creative contributions get no writing/creative credit apart from the fixed salaries or per-word payments.
Sometimes, seniors pitch an editing project as mere proofreading, but once we read the manuscript, we realize it is actually a project that needs developmental editing or ghostwriting, which demands significant creative input from the editors when writers are unable to provide it (this happens more often than we think). Now add to that the rising trend of using AI-generated manuscripts, where editors are hired to “rewrite” and “humanize” them into cohesive, publishable narratives.
Sadly, when we work in the creative field, we realize how ego and insecurity often masquerade as authority and competence. While working as an editor, I have met authors who insisted that their books be priced a specific amount as per numerology, or that I begin the editing at a particular time for “auspicious” reasons.
Everyone wants to be an author, but few are willing to do the emotional and intellectual labor it demands. Often times this means, our voices as co-authors, ghostwriters, or editors are muted, toned down, or reshaped to fit the author’s demands or brand narratives. And our contributions are unaccounted for. We, as individuals, start fading. We start editing ourselves to fit in, to meet deadlines, and to collect the cheque.
Recently, I came across a blog from The Hollywood Reporter India about how many Bollywood writers, especially the lower-tier talent, are battling mental health issues, cruel contracts, and financial crises, and are contemplating quitting amid a historic slowdown. The fact that they are still fighting for basic minimum contracts (₹13 lakhs as minimum pay for a full script, ₹4 lakhs for a story, ₹5 lakhs for a screenplay, and ₹4 lakhs for dialogue) is shocking, especially when we remember that Bollywood spends hundreds of crores on their movie budgets and stars’ remuneration.
While I believe in the dignity of labor, I don’t believe in being pawns or getting exploited. A capitalist like Robert Kiyosaki, who wrote Rich Dad, Poor Dad, says, “People exploit themselves by accepting jobs with low pay.” But as workers, we know why we say yes to such gigs: to pay our bills, to take care of our family, to stay afloat. After all, “You have to survive to succeed.”
So my advice to myself and to all workers on this Labour Day is:
Yes, your job is important. Do it diligently and strive for excellence. Be grateful for the salary that pays your bills.But also have personal projects where you work for yourself and you are your own boss. Find time for it. Commit to it. For a writer like me, this can be writing my own books and personal blogs, or contributing to my creative website and building my own brand.Prioritize your mental health: Spend quality time with your family. Go on outings with your friends. Rest well and find time for self-care. Take up fun hobbies. Seek a therapist’s help if required.At work, uphold your boundaries and values. Say no when required and stick to it. Don’t let someone guilt-trip, gaslight, or manipulate you into saying yes when your no matters. Leave toxic workplaces. Raise your concerns in problematic situations. Let silence not be compliance. Negotiate for fair compensation and creative credits.Use AI as a tool to “assist” you or help you learn. Don’t let it replace your creativity or imagination. Continuously seek to learn, grow, and improve yourself.And to my fellow writers: we are forced to read, write, and even travel with our “professional” hats on. It can make our art feel like a chore. Drop the act whenever you can. Read, write, and travel like the child you used to be. Be a self-indulgent amateur whenever you can. This will help you regain the passion, wonder, and curiosity you once had.Let’s take back our power and unleash our magic .You don’t have to edit yourself out to the point you lose yourself. You matter, your voice matters, your art matters, and so does your resistance and rebellion.
As they say, all art is propaganda. May yours set your soul on fire and liberate you.
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Let me know your thoughts on this blog in the comments. Always open to discussing any different or contradictory opinions as well. That’s how we learn.
