Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Novelist

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.


Job Description: A novelist writes fiction books.

Education: None required, although a background in communications or creative writing is probably a plus.

Skills: The ability to tell a story in a compelling way.

Job outlook: As with online writers, “employment of authors, writers, and editors is expected to grow 8 percent … from 2008 to 2018,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Possible employers: Some websites or blogs are interested in publishing short works of fiction. Also, compilation books like the Chicken Soup for the Soul series also publish short nonfiction and fiction stories.

Preparation: Join a local, regional or national writers group to talk to other writers and see what’s selling in your genre. Also get involved in an in-person or online critique group to gain feedback on your work from other writers. Consider taking an online or in-person creative writing class if you need a refresher course.

Get your foot in the door: Start by working on a short story or two. Also try the National Novel Writing Month, in which you attempt to write a 50,000 word novel from scratch during November. That can be a great way to jump-start your creativity.

Testimony: Melanie, an award-winning novelist from Portland, Ore., loves writing from home. “No commute. Few meetings. Flexible schedule. Always available if my family needs me. And I can pursue the talents and dreams that God gave me. Some women are called to be caregivers around the clock. If I don’t have goals or accomplishments outside of caregiving (which is a never ending job), I feel like I’m going crazy,” she says.

Now available on Kindle and Smashwords: HomeWork, which gives details on 50 at-home jobs or businesses.

Until next time,

Sarah

Progress Report

So it's day nine in my quest to write a 50,000 word article and the writing bug has bitten me good. I have typed 15,000 words thus far, which is a great start.

But as I get into the writing, I find that I do not want to do other things. All I want to do is hole up downstairs in the office and write. It's hard not to be annoyed when the kids want or need something. But I have to be disciplined to make the most of every minute in order to accomplish my goal, which is what most of us have to do on a daily or weekly or monthly basis in order for our at-home businesses to succeed.

So I'm off to write a few more words before getting dinner on the table, that if my 16-month-old and three-year-old will stop grabbing my arms and wanting to be in my lap!

Until next time,

Sarah

Another November, Another Novel

Once again, November is nearly upon us and that means it's time for another National Novel Writing Month contest (http://www.nanowrimo.org/). I have my idea and I'm raring to go! Here's to writing 50,000 words in 30 days.

Until next time,

Sarah