Should I be a novelist?

Do you have a great idea for a novel?

What does being a novelist mean to you?

FAME - FORTUNE - TRAVEL - NEW YORK TIMES' BESTSELLER LIST - AWARDS - FANS

Even wildly successful novelists spend endless hours writing.

Did you know that writers often spend a year or more writing their first novel?

Writing novels involves a wide range of time-consuming activities.

Before the typing starts, the writer spends time plotting, adding conflict, outlining and developing goals and motivation for each character.

Once the great idea and plot is fully formed, a writer spends months putting their idea into words.

After countless hours of telling the story, the novelist triumphantly types "The End" on the first draft.

And then...

the real work...

begins...

.

...the revision cycle begins!

A critique group of other writers, beta readers, agents, or editors will provide feedback.

An author may not make all the suggested changes, but many of the suggestions will improve the manuscript.

More changes?!

• You will probably be asked to make more revisions.

• After you sell the book, you may receive an "advance," money that is an advance on your share of sales.

• The publication date may be 12 to 18 months in the future.

• Your job isn't finished.

You are expected to start writing the next book.

Don't worry. You won't be spending all your time writing the next book. You'll be working to promote the first book too.

6. You want to share your stories with the world and are willing to work hard to make your dreams come true.

5. You have a growth mindset and can keep putting your work out there despite rejection.

4. You enjoy the solitude of writing, and the chaos of deadlines.

3. You are creative but can overcome shyness to sell yourself and your ideas.

2. You couldn't stop writing your stories if you tried.

And the number one reason is...

1. The characters are already there, living in your head, and you want to bring them out for everyone to meet.

The vast majority of novelists rely on income from other sources, including working other jobs while writing.

Unless you are a superstar, you will need to write quickly and publish often to keep your readers and make money.

The industry is changing rapidly with the rise of ebooks and self-publishing platforms. Many novelists now have hybrid careers, publishing some books with traditional publishing houses and self-publishing other work.

How much money does a novelist make?

Earnings from writing novels are unpredictable and there are no guarantees. Writing income depends on many factors, including the strength of the market.

Average yearly income for novelists (including advances and royalties):

Canada: just over $50,000.

US: just under $50,000.

Does that mean the average novelist makes $50,000 per year? No.

While these numbers suggest that a novelist can earn a living, they are misleading. The reality is that novelists earn anywhere from $0 per year to millions, with the vast majority earning well under the $50,000 reported average.

Ask any novelist and they will tell you NOT to quit your day job until you have built a strong career as a novelist. Writers who have quit their day job often return to work after they cannot pay their bills with their writing income.

• You want a steady income without working more than one job.

• You aren't open to feedback or criticism.

• Rejection gets you down.

• You need to know exactly how much money you will make.

• You like writing, but you don't LOVE writing.

• You can read this Byte and just walk away from the idea of a career as a novelist.

Do you love the thought of readers escaping into a world you created?

Start your career as a novelist with realistic expectations, and then see where your dreams can take you and your readers!