A Goodreads user
asked
Mark Lawrence:
Hello Mr. Lawrence, I've been trying my hand at writing for a few months and since you appear to be the only active author on Goodreads I'm following, I'd like you to clear up something that's been bugging me for quite a long time: how realistic are the chances of making a living off fiction alone? Would you suggest a beginner to write as a hobby or a side work rather than a main job?
Mark Lawrence
You (a generalised you) are very unlikely to make a living from writing.
It's reportedly a difficult task to secure a literary agent. I recently heard a podcast where a successful agent said his agency represented 400 authors, only 4 or 5 of whom made their living entirely from writing.
I would absolutely not recommend anyone give up the day job until they had not only secured contracts sufficient to keep them going for several years but had demonstrated the ability to continue securing those contracts.
Write because you enjoy writing. Never bank on it paying your bills. If it ever does, realise how lucky you have been.
A large number of the authors whose books you can pick off the shelves in Barnes & Nobel, or Waterstones, need a day job to cover the rent.
It's reportedly a difficult task to secure a literary agent. I recently heard a podcast where a successful agent said his agency represented 400 authors, only 4 or 5 of whom made their living entirely from writing.
I would absolutely not recommend anyone give up the day job until they had not only secured contracts sufficient to keep them going for several years but had demonstrated the ability to continue securing those contracts.
Write because you enjoy writing. Never bank on it paying your bills. If it ever does, realise how lucky you have been.
A large number of the authors whose books you can pick off the shelves in Barnes & Nobel, or Waterstones, need a day job to cover the rent.
More Answered Questions
Thomas
asked
Mark Lawrence:
Afternoon, Mark. Do you have any tips on discovery writing? I've written two novels now that feel so 'meh' using extensive outlining. I'm writing a third, but I'm already losing steam following the outline. There's just no life or finesse in my work--nothing jumps off the page. I want to be able to write more character focused. However, I think of sitting down to write with nothing to follow, and it scares me :)
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