On Writing : What's your day job? by Tessa Shaffer

Logistics Engineer.

I work in commercials in Production and Lighting and I also work as a Film Liaison. I would say they've helped my writing as they are both the types of jobs that allow you to take the extra time to write. As long as you're getting the job done, you can kinda do what you want.

I'm a warehouse worker for UPS. My job is somewhat repetitive, so I can brainstorm story ideas at certain points during the day.

I'm a Spectrum employee. I work in serviceability. I'm always thinking of new worlds to write and constantly working on ideas during my breaks or pauses

As a teacher, I have to say the affect on my creative process has been positive. I have taught English language, literature and composition for 21 years. Thinking about stories, story elements and writing 8 hours a day, 5 days a week certainly helps when I approach my own pieces. Also, I've found that being around young people, teenagers specifically, has been the biggest help with dialogue and the pacing of conversations, slang, cultural references and the so on. The hinderance is the amount of work it takes to be a good teacher. I've always approached lesson planning like scriptwriting, and content delivery like a stage performance. Add to that grading, tutoring, clerical work and communication with parents and colleagues seems to require precise budgeting of time. I've done it (and continue to), but it can be a challenge.

Retired.

Mike Boland That sounds like a great job to help balance creativity and time to write, that's awesome!

I'm a full-time writer and have been working at this for the last 10 years. As well as my wife supporting me through this, these days I also have a small pension from my civil service days. Prior to this, I would get home from work, eat with the family, put the kids to bed and then write. That was the only way to do it.

Chad Descoteaux That's the best, a day job that you can kind of "check out of" mentally or isn't a big mental drain so that your creative brain can work it's magic!

Meko Gray Way to go with fitting writing into your breaks! One idea written down is better than a thousand ideas forgotten =)

Meg Stone LOL!

@Matthew Yes, teachers need to have an insane work ethic and I'm sure that helps your writing too. I'm curious if you write YA being around teenagers so much?

@Geoff Congrats! Having support from a partner makes all the difference too. =)

Tessa Shaffer Indeed. After the end of a contract of employment, my wife said what do you want to do? I replied, 'be a writer'. And she said, 'do what ever makes you happy'. And that was that...

I'm a full-time professional script consultant, story analyst/editor and screenwriter, so my waking hours tend to always be focused on writing, be it mine or someone else's.

@Geoff that's amazing! I hope you will dedicate one of your books to her. =)

@Phil, Awesome! Do you find that having a job related to writing and editing lessons your stamina for your own writing projects or that it helps keep you in the zone?

Tessa Shaffer yes, there is a quiet dedication to her at the end of the book.

I used to work as a VFX artist, and it consumed all of my time, barely leaving room for reading let alone writing, so I eventually resigned and switched to web design/development. I’m still pressed for time, but not in a way that’s unreasonable and unhealthy.

Retired. I write now.

My past day job was working on the Grid. Yep, that one, the Grid that fails in every bad apocalyptic sci-fi. Plunge you into darkness ! Evil laugh*

Pssst! I did not work at ERCOT. My stuff was Thanos perfect.

Rohit Sawant That's great that you could change jobs to something with more healthy limits. I think creatives need to be especially conscious of when they're approaching burn-out!

@Peter that's so interesting! Has your past job inspired anything in your writing? I bet plenty of writers would love to chat with you for research.

@Tessa. You know I have never ever included any of that in my sci-fi. Probably because I never wrote an 'after the apocalypse' script. My present script is set in the now; where folks keep IGNORING the coming end.

I’m a full time literary consultant and writing coach. I love what I do, and I still write lots too!

Very cool Mandi Allen! That's awesome!

I'm a Set Dresser with the local film union up here in Toronto, before that I was a Grip. Though it can be a lot of fun and has given me a ton of insight into how movies and tv shows are made, overall I would say it's hindered my writing - the hours can be pretty long and unpredictable, and I often find myself with just enough time to shower, feed myself & the cats, then head off to bed. I get to work with some great people on some very cool projects, and I can't picture myself working in any other industry, but I know my output would be a lot higher with more free time.

Connor McAulay thanks for sharing, it is a thin line to walk between pouring yourself into other people's projects (and enjoying it!) but then having little time or energy to put into your own writing. I wish I had some advice for that, but hopefully the time you do spend on your writing is quality. =)

Truck Driver - I'm like Lyter; work most days, write when I have time. Currently working on their novel, building and editing a demo video for a TV concept, outlining my 9th script.

Tessa, by day I steal actor's souls. Yup, I photograph their faces and take that creative energy and turn it into words. Some might call it alchemy, I just call it: TedShots!

Write on!

@Lyter curious if you are writing a crime series inspired by your day to day or if your writing takes place in another world?

@John Ellis, awesome to hear you're on your 9th script!

LOL @Ted that's great, write on!

Own and operate an on-line sticker shop, www.offkillter.net.

I'm afraid mine is a little obvious LOL

Very cool, @chris chapman! LOL @karen "kay" ross! Congrats on your first writing retreat @daisy white, it sounds like it was a huge success!

I sell internet and cable. I would say it can hinder my writing because of time management. As soon as I’m off I immediately go into mom and teacher mode (we are homeschooling our twins). Then the kids go down and I have the dog that needs to go out and the husband wants dinner, ect ect. I have been pushing myself to make sure I write daily, even if it’s only for a half an hour.

What I like to do is put on my favorite playlist and go walk for about 30 minutes with the dog, then I come home feeling creative and write for 30 minutes. It’s been helping a lot

I’m a mental health therapist. I sincerely believe that my work informs my writing. I helps me to create complex, layered characters and get to the root cause of their behaviors.

Oh, @Bertilda! How are you doing? LOL No seriously, you are amazing for tackling such an important role, especially right now. I'm sure you have lots of stories to pull from, but I also hope you're not being bogged down by everyone else's shiznit. We're glad you're here with us!

@amara franklin Walking the dog with a playlist before writing is a great idea to stir up creativity, I always forget how oddly inspiring walks can be! Thanks for adding that!

@Bertilda, I would love to read a book written by someone in the mental health field diving into the complexity of characters!

I've been a full-time freelance novelist for a few decades but I always have side hustles. I like to take jobs that will help me explore human nature. I do background work in movies/TV, dog walking/pet sitting, waitressing, clean CPR equipment (mannequins), teach novel writing at a college, edit novels, read tarot cards at parties, and so on. Side hustles allow me to pick and choose when I work and also, I meet interesting people or encounter interesting situations that I may use in my writing. I don't think I could work one full-time job and then write though, but that's my personality type.

I've never had the luxury of a spouse supporting me even though I've been married/divorced twice! Oh, how I dream of that life! lol.