Any writers on here? Mid-life career change - is it possible?

[BatleyTownswomensGuild]

Any Mumsnetters fancy dropping some pearls of wisdom on me?

I'm totally stuck career-wise. I'm in a job I'm rapidly starting to loathe. I work in an under-resourced role in HE and I'm totally ground down by it. I had a bit of an epiphany recently where I realised that I absolutely have to get out and make major changes. But my confidence is shot to pieces.

When I think about what I love doing, time and time again I come back to writing. It's what I've always wanted to do from a young age. I'm thinking either B2B work like copywriting or writing non-fiction (books for kids or the Mums /families market.) I think my niche would be areas like education, kids activities, special needs, home & lifestyle and pets - although I'd be willing to consider other areas.

I have absolutely no idea where to start. Is this even possible - or a ridiculous pipe-dream? Can a middle-aged Mum, who has spent 20 years working in a totally different sector, suddenly pivot and make a living as a writer? (I'm not chasing fame and riches, I just want to be able to pay the bills doing something I love.)

Is this feasible or am I mad?
How should I start?
What challenges will I face?
What would you do in my position?

Help!! Any tips or insight gratefully received. I'm at a real dead-end currently.

Hi OP - not much advice to give as I write fiction, but you might get better help on the creative writing board - there are a couple of threads running about non-fiction writing.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/creative_writing

Writing is a very competitive market and my recommendation would be to see if you can get a foothold before giving up your present job (unless you can afford not to work).

For book publishing, you need to think about what your unique selling point will be - for instance, how your experience in HE might translate to the subject of a book. Mums/home & lifestyle/pets are very crowded topics - do you have a social media presence in these areas?

In short:

Is this feasible or am I mad?

You're no madder than the rest of us on the writing board!

How should I start?

Research the market - what's out there already, where would your book fit, what is the unique hook that will attract readers?

What challenges will I face?

The writing process can be daunting and lonely. The process of trying to get your book published can be frustrating. If self-publishing, you'll have the challenge of marketing your work.

What would you do in my position?

Make a start. Don't give up the day job, but resolve to do something every day towards achieving your writing ambition - whether that's an hour on the internet researching your competitors, jotting down ideas for your book, planning the structure, drafting a chapter.

Thank you weetabix ! I will definitely look at the board you mentioned and am taking notes of all your points. I honestly hadn't thought about utilising my experience in HE, but that has given me some definite food for thought.

I recommend the book, Playing Big.