Unasked-For Advice to New Writers About Money

Cory Doctorow on BoingBoing.net linked to this article back in February where John Scalzi offers 10 financial tips for new writers. Even though I'm not a writer, I've been an independent contractor (1099 vs W-2) in the past and most of the advice is similar to what I tell people who are thinking about trying that route too. Even if you don't agree with the things he says, it's still an interesting read. What do you think about it?

http://scalzi.com/whatever/?p=362

That article was a steaming cup of wake-up-and-smell-reality. However, I found his suggestion of marrying/shacking up with someone who can help financially support you as a writer a bit obnoxious--it's lovely that he's been so blessed with a wife who can provide a steady income and health benefits, but to lay it out there as he did made me want to find out where he lives so I can go TP his house. Also, why's he trippin' on bass players?
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<=== Dressing in dismal chic and maintaining her detached aura of aristocratic chill since 1985.
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"You can't wipe your ass with empty promises." - thread title, by walk

The article sounded right to me. On all points. And if it's only about money.

But I wouldnt' write just anything for the right price. And remember, I have very low standards when it comes to what I'll put on the page. What I don't agree with, is that one should be willing to do any kind of writing. I'd rather work a real job for money and write something I can put my back and heart into. Writing advertising and whatnot saps you of what it takes to write fiction. At least it did me. So, if you just want to write for a living, by all means, take any work you can get paid for. But what worked for me was to get a day job that didn't take require me to think much, yet wasn't so mind-numbingly boring that I wasn't so exhausted from trying to stay interested. That doesn't invalidate any of this guy's other points. I'm sort of speaking to the creative part of writing, and he's not.

There's ways to get by with low fundage
but no amount of money is worth having your soul sucked out, just saying...

Sephonae wrote:

Also, why's he trippin' on bass players?

Without having read the article, let me just say that bass players are fucking nuts-
& I mean that in the nicest possible way...

Scalzi caught some flack on the Whatever for the marrying/shacking up statement and responded to it/clarified it here: http://scalzi.com/whatever/?p=371

And I don't think he meant one should whore oneself out and just write anything that comes to mind for cash. He's saying to think outside your genre but within your personal area of expertise - do you know a lot about something that isn't part of your novel? Can you write coherently about it and enjoy doing so? Then why not supplement your income with it? He's written a few technical manuals, because that's what his former day job was. So he can freelance here and there and get paid for his knowledge. He also writes a weekly column about SF movies over at AMC. That sort of thing.

(Why, yes, I do lurk over there, why do you ask? XD )
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Well, I guess you left me with some feathers in my hand.

The most important point I thought was the part about 'You have half as much money as you think you have'. Having no taxes withheld is terrible for me and unfortunately I didn't marry an accountant/financial wiz.

Lauren wrote:

Scalzi caught some flack on the Whatever for the marrying/shacking up statement and responded to it/clarified it here: http://scalzi.com/whatever/?p=371

Yep, I'd read that as well. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the whole tone of his response put me in mind of someone who can't stop digging the hole for himself. He just came off as insufferably smug to me.

And Zen; hey, lay off the bassists! *Grrrr*
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<=== Dressing in dismal chic and maintaining her detached aura of aristocratic chill since 1985.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"You can't wipe your ass with empty promises." - thread title, by walk

zendao42 wrote:

Sephonae wrote: Also, why's he trippin' on bass players? Without having read the article, let me just say that bass players are fucking nuts- & I mean that in the nicest possible way...

sooo true. But it's still better than dating the drummer
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I will gladly ravage you Tuesday for a ravaging today...

urhangovergirl wrote:

zendao42 wrote: Sephonae wrote: Also, why's he trippin' on bass players? Without having read the article, let me just say that bass players are fucking nuts- & I mean that in the nicest possible way... sooo true. But it's still better than dating the drummer

<======= repeat offender on rhythm sections

But hey, somebody's gotta give the drummer some!

Sephonae wrote:

And Zen; hey, lay off the bassists! *Grrrr*

Riiight, like you wouldn't lay a hot, psycho transvestite bass player...

zendao42 wrote:

Sephonae wrote: And Zen; hey, lay off the bassists! *Grrrr* Riiight, like you wouldn't lay a hot, psycho transvestite bass player...

Uh...que?
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<=== Dressing in dismal chic and maintaining her detached aura of aristocratic chill since 1985.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"You can't wipe your ass with empty promises." - thread title, by walk

Sephonae wrote:

He just came off as insufferably smug to me.

Smug is a good word. I couldn't get through the whole article since I feel like I managed to figure all that out for myself long ago. (shrug)
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Key Weird

I read this article, and I think a lot of this advice can apply to just about anybody, at least as far as the "don't blow money you don't have", the "stop wasting all your time playing XBOX and actually write" parts and the "get out of NY/LA/SF" parts. ...not that there's anything wrong with those places, don't get me wrong.

I especially liked his advice about dating and marrying someone who is a lot smarter and more responsible than you. I have a friend who just graduated law school and we have been seriously flirting with for the last three years. Maybe now is the time to make my move... maybe.
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Scruffy|SRD Books

Dude, you looking for a sugar mama?

zendao42 wrote:

Dude, you looking for a sugar mama?

I could use one of those... But I'm too old to get one.
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Avoid being normal -- John Lennon

I agree, a lot of this is pretty general financial advice. And judging by his list, I'm surprisingly money-savvy. O.o (Yeah, what the fuck?) Anyway, what I found particularly interesting was in someone's comment at the end of the article: the naming of a literary executor in the will. I didn't even know that was a role that needed to be specified. Something to remember, for sure.
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