New Job, Same Company

This week officially starts my new job. I’ll be moving groups within my company to a position that has more work. Potentially, I’ll be working twice as much as I do now, which means also that I’ll also be making more money. What this means also is that I’ll most likely have less time to write.

Here’s the thing, I wasn’t writing anyway. This job requires me to meet a billable dollars quota. I know this probably doesn’t mean anything to most of you, but it basically means that I bill enough to justify my salary. And when I didn’t have enough work, I was trying to find work. I was thus, worried about getting work.

The new position isn’t like that. The group has too much work, so it was a natural decision to move me to a different group. The idea is that we’re moving me because I was underutilized.

Several people asked me how I felt about having less time to write. My answer was this, I like being employed and getting a steady paycheck. I have a financial responsibility to my family and my job has great health insurance.

I’ve recently spoken to a few writers, some were writing full-time, some half-time, and some where writing full-time and writing full time. Most of them weren’t living solely on their writing income. They had a spouse that was working and that was what was keeping them afloat.

I’m looking towards my future and what I want. And even though I’d love to have a writing career that can pay all the bills, I’m also realistic about that reality.

Some of you might think that I’m selling out to the man or that I’m giving up on my dreams.at least, that’s what some people have said to me. I disagree. I think you can have a good paying job without selling out to the man. I’m still going to write. I’m not quitting. I’m just taking a detour. And that’s ok.

Crossposted to Samantha Ling, Dreamwidth and Livejournal