AIBU to consider taking a lower paid job so that I can finish my novel?

[undeecided]

I've been writing for about ten years around work, and I'm (still) unpublished. My current job leaves me no time for writing at all. I've just been offered a job at a place where I used to work which would leave me time to write (and finish my MA) but the money, although i can manage on it, is less. I am very tempted but I am single with dc so I also feel I should grit my teeth and put aside my unprofitable dreams at this point. Current job is not such a good fit in terms of culture or future prospects, it really is all about the difference in salary and providing a bit extra for the dc as they go into their teens.

I think only you can weigh this up.

Teens are expensive, especially if they're looking at going to Uni.

Mine are lucky enough to have little part-time jobs that fit in around their studies, but still sometimes they're like a bottomless money pit, even just in terms of outgrowing their clothes/shoes etc.

You need to see in this way: you would then be paying to publish your novel.

Let's say going part-time costs you £10,000 per year. Don't forget pension contributions would be lower - nice now, but not so nice for a single mum when she retires.

Then let's say you get a £20,000 deal on your book. Effectively you're getting £10,000, not £20,000. And if you take two years to get your book finished, you are literally getting nothing for your book.

I was a single mum writing a novel with children your children's ages. What I found was that as they entered their senior school, they spent a lot more time on their own in their rooms (or together!) They went out more. They slept in more at the weekend. Suddenly I had an awful lot more time to myself and I used it to write.

Please don't give up any time at work. You need to make sure you're safe financially; you can't rely on an income from books.

True. Which is why I feel I should knuckle down and stick at what I'm doing. I'm struggling with the idea of the next 10 years of it, though! Their dad is financially prudent and supports them even though we're not together.

Is there any way you can carve out work time to write? If you work in an office, can you work faster and every day fit in an hour of writing or editing?

Surely it isn’t as binary as the current job or other offer being the only options for the next 10 years? Why not think about what else you can do that would allow you to make a decent income but is more suited to you?

Also tbh if you are really fussed on finishing your novel you would find the time. Bear in mind most novels of course do not get picked up by publishers. And even if they are, very few make s full time living off it.

I haven't factored in an income from books, I know how small this would be. It's true the dc are less demanding as they are older (though they stay up in the evenings whereas when they were little I would write as they slept) but because the week is so busy they do like my time at the weekend - each of them has a sport one on Sat one on Sun and my job is surprisingly full on and draining. When I was doing the part time role before I got loads of writing done and was much happier in general. But I get this is self indulgent.

Have you had any feedback on the first three chapters? I'd be happy to do that if you want - just PM me. Off to bed now but will look at it tomorrow if you like.

Sorry to be tough on this, but it’s so impossible to get published you really have to assume that you won’t be. Even if you are published, the chances of it being enough of a success to be profitable are slim. A friend of mine had fairly decent connections and managed to get a three book deal. The book was good, it was reviewed in top publications and in the 3 for 2s in all the major bookshops and promoted on Amazon. Even with all that it bombed without trace and the second and third books were just going through the motions on a limited run. It’s fucking difficult. There are a few self published successes, but these are rare and tend to be niche.

Personally if it was me, this would be something I might put off until the kids have left home.

Nooooo I wouldn't!

Give yourself a 5 year plan to trog on at work and progress, and wait until the children need you slightly less. Then you can get back to your writing.

If you can cover your costs and are confident that you won't end up struggling or in debt then finish your novel. It's important to do what we love.

I could and do write around current commitments. I have to for my MA, if nothing else! The quality isn't what it could be. I literally don't stop all day at work and am shattered. I guess you're right that I don't have to stick with either as a 10 year plan though.

MBD that's a brilliant offer, thank you. The full is with an agent at the moment (but I've been in that position before so am not too hopeful about it).
It's not about whether I can make money out of writing, I've already assumed that as a no. It's whether it would be unconscionably selfish and when I should just get the message and stop. Sunk fallacy?
The part time job although lower pay now has, I would say, better prospects for development over the longer term. The current full time role is one I can't see changing; it's not a company I can see myself moving forward in.

The part time job although lower pay now has, I would say, better prospects for development over the longer term. The current full time role is one I can't see changing; it's not a company I can see myself moving forward in.

Then I think you should remove the novel writing from your decision making process and make your mind up, based on that ^^ or perhaps look for another job completely.

You seem sensible with regards to understanding the novel is very unlikely to be a money spinner, so personally I think it should remain as a hobby/very long term goal...even if you wait until retirement to get it published. At least you would have achieved what you've always wanted, alongside 'life happening' if that makes sense?

I take on board the arguments about money, but please don’t underestimate the effect that your own confidence has on your kids.

Writing is part of my identity. I know that I’m a happier, more balance, financially-poorer person for doing it. Only you know how it makes you feel, but I suspect it gives you a huge boost. When I’m not writing, I’m not really myself and the extra money I had from working full time never really compensated for that, but then, my boys are little.

And if you’ve sent a full MS to more than one agent, you’re good. Requests for fulls are few and far between.

I think today at work helped my decision along. The workload is immense and it's never going to change, I could be there plugging away for years with life passing me by. The better I cope the less likely it is that I'll progress as they struggle to recruit into the position.
Worra long term goal is right. I can't look for a different new job though, I haven't been in this post long, the other one only came up because I kept in touch with my old team.
Hotdog you put my feelings into words entirely. I feel like I'm living a half life. I'm not happy. My father did a job he hated for years as 'breadwinner' and I remember wishing he'd do what he wanted - I felt like a burden on his happiness.
My kids are amazing. They've noticed I was much happier in the other job. Yet I feel guilty at taking a pay cut.
I think I have to jump. And break out the lentils again.

Even though it's hard to make money by writing novels, there might be some way to make some money with your writing alongside the novels. Writing articles for magazines? Blogging? Self publishing short stories on Amazon.

Could you reduce your hours in your current role? Go to 4 days instead of 5 for example?

Do it OP. I do, and we get by okay. All of the little things that used to make me snappy or low just don’t, because I’m doing what I always wanted to. It’s like I have my identity again and I love it, even though some days I barely get to write.

It’s not selfish if it makes you the best version of yourself.

I'd plan to limit my outgoings at first rather than plan new ways to make money. Over time, I could explore other avenues.
No, there's no way I could cut my hours in current job. I can't get everything done in 5 let alone 4! they want someone full time. If I'm going part time the other job would be perfect. I was happy there, productive on the writing front, and although less money was coming in I didn't seem to spend so much either.
Glad to hear your experience hotdog. I think I am very similar.

Really appreciate everyone's thoughtful, kind input. I don't have anyone irl to discuss this kind of thing with.

Take the lower paid job and keep writing.

Your dc need to learn that following dreams = sacrifices.

Dont sell out. Cut back on everything that isn't essential. It is all props anyway to mask discontent. Strip back, get creative. Finish the book.

IF it is not a bestseller, it may be in 50 years and make your great/grandchildren a huge profit. But why does everything have to level out at money. Did Amy Johnson consider this? Did Shakespeare? Earn enough to keep going, carve out time for writing and know when to stop to appreciate and support your children.

I'm not aiming for a bestseller. I just want to write a good book!
'Earn enough to keep going, carve out time for writing and know when to stop to appreciate and support your children.' This. This is what I want. Thank you.

You can pay to have your books printed and you can sell them. You decide how many in the edition. You can also publish online. Have you tried these methods ? I would not take the lower paid job.

I think successful self publishing would be even more time consuming than the traditional route as you'd not only be writing and editing but marketing too and all of these without the professional backup an agent/publisher provides. Hats off to anyone who makes a go of it, but it's not for me.