You'd think it would be easier for writers to make a living, but it's not. Fortunately, I love to teach.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
People say you can't teach writing, but I think that's nonsense.
I mean, first, almost all writers these days teach because they don't make enough money publishing to live on, to support themselves - people like Tobias Wolff, Anne Beattie, Amy Hempel, Stuart Dybek; a lot of short story writers, for one thing.
I'm not a writer who teaches. I'm a teacher who writes.
Perhaps it would be better not to be a writer, but if you must, then write.
Being a professional writer is not an easy way to make a living.
Writing is not the easiest way to make a living. Your work long hours, usually all by yourself. It is not a way to make money.
I've been a novelist since 1995 and have had novels in and out of option, and watching that process just made me realize that I have to live by what I teach my students, because I teach screenwriting at Spellman.
I didn't think being a writer was a fancy thing. It was a job like any other job, except apparently you could do it at home.
Teaching is a great complement to writing. It's very social and gets you out of your own head. It's also very optimistic. It renews itself every year - it's a renewable resource.
For almost anyone who chooses to be a writer, since so very few writers are able to learn a living from their work that is equivalent to the living earned by the average dentist or accountant.