How To Get Started On Your Writing Career With A Full-Time Job

A full-time job is demanding, exhausting, challenging. And even then, it’s rewarding for the most part.

Even though it takes a good chunk of your time and energy to get the work done, the lucrative offerings (high salary, bonus, perks) greatly offset the temporary moments of frustration.

Many budding writers out there are hesitant to pursue their passion full-time. After all, with no certainty of regular income, how will you manage your rent, groceries, and other bills?

Don’t worry! This is normal. You can still pursue your interests whilst working to pay your bills. This is precisely what this article covers: Defining strategies that will help you pursue your writing dream.

Step 1: Treat Yourself As A Learner

If you believe in having a best-selling idea in your mind that needs immediate execution – Take a break!

As a novice writer, it sounds exciting to pour your thoughts into words. But, it isn’t an ideal strategy to begin with.

Since your attention is massively divided between your job and your writing, it is prudent to allocate time into first learning the hacks of new-age writing: the language, format, tone, and content that works in your industry.

For example, if you’re a financial analyst who would like to venture into financial writings, start reading market reports from a writer’s lens.

This way, while you’re spending 8 hours into your job, you’re productively utilizing your time for writing high-volume books or novels.

Or say you’re a marketing genius who wants to get into writing copywriting books. Notice the billboards on your work way, check out Netflix’s episode descriptions, or popular jingles making way into everyone’s minds.

These learnings will introduce you to multiple questions, and the quest to find solutions will help you shape new perspectives that will eventually reflect in your writing.

To quote the famous American literary critic, William Zinsser, in this context, “Writing is a way to explore a question and gain control over it.”

Step 2: Begin Small

Active retention helps. But it isn’t exhaustive for your writing career. It is equally important to get your creative juices flowing.

Should you write a short story? An interesting novel? Or a heavy volume book? We’d say none at this stage.

A full-time job drains your energy for writing these heavy volumes. Plus, with little-to-no experience in the field, it is ideal for taking baby steps.

Approach your company’s marketing/publishing team. Request a column to contribute your piece. That way, if you intend to write for the field you’re working in, you get a good chance of learning from the in-house editors.

Nevertheless, if your interest is different than the present domain, contact small publishing houses or newspapers. Work as a Community Contributor. Don’t aim for money; focus on building your skills.

Choose your preferred time for writing and stick by it. Given that most jobs work from 9 AM-6 PM, it’s smarter to capitalize on early mornings as your mind is fresh.

Plus, your eyes are prone to lesser strain as they’ve gathered enough rest from the sleep.

With multiple rounds of revisions, you will learn industry standards, editor expectations, target audience’s rationale, and your areas of improvement that will help you transition into a better author.

Remember: There is no right staircase to this destination. However, being consistent with your efforts will get you there faster.

Step 3: Choose The Best Writing Software

Writing a book or novel is a full-time commitment. With rising competition, the pressure to stand-out is immense. Your book idea will capture the right attention, which in turn will help your bank accounts soar.

With changing times, the approach to writing is evolving. If you want to make your writing journey smoother, it is recommended to opt for the best novel writing software.

Pick a software program with an easy-to-use and beautiful interface that allows you to manage chapters, checks your grammar in real-time, suggests plot outlines, and offers various templates.

Writing software tools help a great volume of writers manage their time more efficiently by taking over the unproductive task of managing paperwork, thoughts, reminders, and deadlines.

Step 4: Build Your Professional Network

The writing industry is pretty close-knit. No matter how good your work is, without good connections, it’s a tough jar to crack open (i.e., get yourself published under big names).

Since you’re working full-time, you have a great opportunity to take advantage of and fuel your passion for writing. It’s pretty straightforward.

You’re meeting your colleagues every single day and spending a good portion of your time executing professional responsibilities and building personal relationships.

Adopt this 4-stop networking cycle for better results:

• Express your interests with your co-workers.
• Talk about your current writing activities.
• Share your work.
• Take feedback from the experts.

This way, if you happen to impress a co-worker exceptionally, you’re building a strong chance to be referred to their connections in the writing industry. Plus, your profile radiates strong credibility this way.

Step 5: Join Support Groups

Writing can get frustrating. With Monday blues and writer’s block dominating at times, it will drain you greater than your usual full-time job responsibilities. The thoughts for quitting will ‘sound’ convincing.

But stop! You’re just one step closer to writing your dream novel.

There are multiple support groups for aspiring writers that help lift each other’s morale during tough times.

Receiving diverse opinions from like-minded and not-so-similar writers will make you feel better due to increased empathy and/pr shape your perspective from a new prism of thoughts.

You’ve come so far, and it’s only supposed to get better from here!

Step 6: You’re Doing Good! Keep At It!

If you’ve managed to keep up with the above-mentioned steps so far, pat your back! Writing a book is certainly no cake-walk, especially with a full-time job.

A Gentle Reminder

Things get tough as the workload expands. But if you wisely invest a small amount into the best book writing software, you’re guaranteed to earn promising returns.

A reliable software program offers automatic reminders, a focused approach, reduced administration work, and, most importantly, emotional support.