Sometimes it’s easy to get dragged into your day…and the day isn’t a very inspiring one.
That was my day on Wednesday. I had what felt like an army of workmen at my house, in and out, lugging materials around for the air and heat system. They kept me in the loop as far as what they were doing (although I didn’t understand a word of it.) And my daughter was dying to get out of the house (probably because we couldn’t get out of the house.)
The salesman who sold us the system, which cost a pretty penny, dropped by on Wednesday afternoon to check and make sure I was happy with the installation so far and that the workers were doing all right in the extreme heat they were working in.
I noticed he kept looking into my living room. Then, he finally asked me with some hesitation, “Do you mind if I play your piano?”
“Please play the piano,” I said. “It’s dying to be played.”
I thought I might hear The Entertainer or maybe Frère Jacques but he launched right into a complex and long bit of classical music that I wasn’t familiar with. He played without any hesitation and it was fantastic.
The men came down out of the attic to listen to him play and I moved into the living room. We all applauded when he was done. It totally took me out of the HVAC replacement doldrums.
“That was amazing,” I told him. “I can only play Twinkle Twinkle.”
“I was a music major in college,” he said, “but my dad told me that no one would pay me to play the piano, so I started working with air and heat installation. Then I was promoted to sales…but the piano is my first love.” And he was probably in his late-fifties. “I just wish I could make a living at it.”
I told him I completely understood—that I wrote books. But my husband makes a nice living so that I can write books instead of earning a living.
Which makes me think—how many of us out there are downgrading our artistic talents to hobbies? I know plenty of us don’t have the need to share what we write or the music we play or the paintings we create…and that’s totally understandable. But I wonder how many of us would be pursuing something artistic full-time—if only we could make a living at it.
Also, my friend Dave on My Year on the Grill reviewed Delicious and Suspicious and cooked a recipe from the book. :) If you’re in the mood for some comfort food, pop by for some country fried steaks.
Guilty as charged. If I could make it work to earn money for my writing at this exact juncture, I would in a heartbeat. But there are too many balls in the air, so to speak, for me to have writing be anything more than my escape from the stress of reality. I’m still dedicated to it and to making my work the best it can be. But I’m not pushing myself to get anything query ready before next spring. I just don’t have the time right now to dedicate to what needs to happen for my publishing career to progress from where it’s at. So, yeah, hobby for now.
Yep, I’m my breadwinner and must work a day job. This does affect my writing time, creativity, and output.
Your story makes me realize that we need to focus more on doing something beautiful in the middle of the day. :)
Elizabeth – You are playing my song – pun intended. I have a day job that helps to pay the bills, so my writing doesn’t get the full-time attention that it should. At some point, I would love to just write; we shall see if that ever happens…
I have to confess I wasn’t a breadwinner when I started writing. I had a part-time work at home job that supported my writing. When things started looking up (and for other reasons) I decided to quit the part time work. That was right before the economy tanked, and things didn’t continue along the expected path with my writing. I’d love to make money at this gig. But I love the writing enough not to care whether my royalty check will buy more than a Happy Meal.
And anyone who saw my post about getting started writing over at Patricia Stoltey’s blog yesterday knows I was a card-carrying AARP member before I put my first word to “paper.”
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I’m pleased my earnings from writing keep increasing, but yes, it would be lovely if it were more. The trouble with any career in the arts is that you can’t rely on a regular amount coming to you every two weeks. Yes, there are the nice cheques, but you can’t count on it.
This is why I’m trying to launch a writing career at the ripe old age of…well, nevermind. I’ve been trying to do it for decades squeezed in and around work and family and whatever (got as far as having one book picked up by an agent) but there was never enough time. Now I’ve been downsized into early retirement and finally have a chance to follow the dream.
I don’t tell my husband this enough but his working has allowed me to focus on my craft full time. I’m so fortunate. I love that I can write when I need to (barring any family emergencies) without work getting in the way.
CD
I think this is one area where women have it better. Like it or not, it’s still more socially acceptable for a wife to stay home and write books than it would be for a husband to. I feel guilty sometimes for having that option.
I was able to use my artistic talents to secure a job, but my writing is not something that would pay the bills.
Sadly, as a newer writer, I have to have another job for paying the bills as well…maybe someday!
Nancy
Realms of Thought
I loved this post, and the image that accompanies it. A couple of years ago, after leaving full-time employment rather abruptly (a long story), I decided to return to freelancing, but this time as a writer. I will say straight out that this was only possible because my husband works a 9-5 job, and like many others I am deeply grateful for this.
I love the paid work that I get, but I have to acknowledge that every paid assignment takes time and energy away from my WIP. If I had a full time job I would never have written it, and I am filled with admiration for writers who can write around a 40 hr/week commitment.
Will I ever make a living through fiction? No clue. But I’m grateful that at least I’ve got the opportunity to try. And that, at 50, I still have an ambition. There’s something to be said for that.
When I started off, I considered writing a hobby and I’ve been pleasantly surprised that it has progressed as far as it has – though I’d be really thrilled if it produced a livable income.
What a treat that must have been to have this stranger come into your house and play on your piano. Wow. I hope this encourages him to play more often.
I, too, am one of those who has a spouse who can pay the bills so that I can write and edit.
Helen
Awww, I feel so sad for that man! Writing is my first love, and I can’t imagine not being able to do it, to try and make a living out of it. This sure is a nice reminder to feel grateful that I have this chance!
I’d quit my job and write full-time in an instant if I could. I’d also pick up the piano and flute again. Sure, I’ve got an engineering degree and work in construction, but my passion is art. Who wouldn’t want to make a living pursuing their passion?
When I was in grad school I worked in a Microbrewery. I would bet 90% of the people I worked with were musicians, artists or students (like me)–I would bet in eclectic, light-hearted restaurants and bars all over the country (especially in arty mid-sized cities) that is the case. People love their art, but can’t make a living at it. Waiting tables is one of the more efficient ways to do both because the hourly wage is pretty good for a non-specialized job (with tips, I mean) and the coworkers are like-minded.
I have always been our primary wage-earner (having a master’s degree while my husband is, as yet, untrained) but I can’t WAIT for him to get through nursing school… about 4 years from now, when he is employed for a health system (and well-insured) it will be my turn to only pursue my passion.
Literary fiction has never been a way to make a living, and a vast majority of writers teach to earn their way.
Genre fiction, until recently, has offered a decent income for those who worked at it full time with some success, but according to what I’m reading these days on agent blogs, fewer are making any kind of living because of poorer sales and poorer contracts, and an author should assume their professional income will never become their main income.
“Keep your day job,” has become the new mantra.
I haven’t visited in a while : ( but I love the new look!
As an art major, former band member, and currently unprofitable fiction writer, I am very grateful to have developed other skills that I could more easily exchange for rent and groceries.
In days past, it was far more commonly expected that artists had explicit patrons, and that wealthy philanthropists might “adopt” a couple they liked.
Nowadays, that form of giving has moved into grants and foundations. And lots of us writing aren’t educated and genteel hangers-on but everyday middle-class (also educated these days, thankfully!) who don’t have social access to gazillionaires. Sadly, even if we did, writers can’t exactly paint a family’s flattering portraits to earn free time and money for the Great Work.
Stephanie–I think sometimes we have to go with the option that’s less-stressful, too. Because, hobby or job, if it’s stressful then it takes all the joy out of it.
Journaling Woman–Having that unexpected concert just breathed life into the house. And we were all hot, grumpy, and tired–it was so wonderful to hear something beautiful like that.
Margot–It really makes me sad that writing, music, and visual and performing arts make such little money. It’s just so important.
Linda–Sounds like it’s one of those times when downsizing actually has a good side!
Clarissa–Yes, my husband is definitely my patron of the arts. No question. If it were up to my writing income, we’d be living in a gutter somewhere… :)
Livia–I agree with you on that one.
Alex–I think it’s great you were able to use your art for work, though! My writing doesn’t pay the bills either–maybe funds vacations or pads the savings account, but that’s about it.
Terry–I think it’s great that you discovered writing later in life–just goes to show it’s never too late to start!
N A Sharpe–I think most writers fall into that category.
Jane–I think freelancing is definitely a good option for writers who need to earn a living along with their writing. But you’re right–it does take a lot of time. I’m with you in admiration of the writers who work after their day job ends each day. And I think it’s great that you’re continuing to set a high bar for yourself!
Jane–I’d be thrilled, too! Maybe someday times will change a little.
Helen–It was a real treat–I wish he could have stayed and played for a while!
Yay for spouses with good jobs!
Elspeth–Very good point! It’s unpredictable. Royalties are definitely unpredictable, and the marketablility of our work varies, too.
Laura–It did make me sad to hear him say that.
Simon–I think there’s something satisfying to doing a job that you’ve trained for and gone to school for–like engineering. But…I’m with you. More fun to write or play music.
Hart–I’ve heard that before–students and artists wait tables. I know you’ll be excited to have your husband finish nursing school! That’s going to be such a great change for you.
Marilynn–That’s really the only thing that I *could* do if–God forbid–something happened to my husband. I could go back to journalism (no pay there, either) or teach (again…not exactly a high paying gig, either.)
Genre fiction is definitely a good niche to write for. But…no way could I make a living off it! Maybe after another 10 years of steadily producing books? And not much of a living then.
Clare2e–Thanks for coming back by!
It would be VERY nice to have a patron, wouldn’t it? Maybe we could write flattering portrayals of them in books somehow! We should contact Buffett and Gates with a proposal… :)
Yes, my husband is my patron, bringing in a steady income so I can work at my editing and writing. Now I’m learning to day trade to help out!
I yearn to write full time, and will, one of these days.
What a lovely break for you and the installers…and I hope that the salesman/pianist took joy in sharing his art.
As much as my DH loves me and wishes for my success as a writer, I know he doesn’t fully get it and therefore, by default, my writing has been relegated to hobby status. One which takes up time that I could be spending on the laundry.
*sigh*
It’s not just money that promotes or demotes our dreams…