If you’re already a professional writer, you might be wondering how you’ll afford to keep up your writing schedule while also paying your bills. Believe it or not, being a creative writing teacher doesn’t come with the traditional 9-to-5 job security. While there are certainly benefits to being a freelance writer, the income can be fluctuating and, at times, insecure.
What’s more, you’ll need to decide whether you want to do this as a full-time or part-time job. In some places, such as California, you may need to consider applying for state-sponsored benefits. But, in general, if you’re looking to make a living as a creative writer, you’ll need to find ways to monetize your work while maintaining your freedom.
The Necessity Of Teaching
In an ideal world, everyone would be a professional writer and could sustain themselves simply selling their work to the highest bidder. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case, and there are still plenty of people who need to learn how to write if they want to become professionals. Even if you’ve already penned a best-selling novel, you may know more than one person who wants to be a writer but lacks the talent and/or guidance to actually accomplish it.
Teaching is both a necessary and valuable skill, and it can be an incredibly profitable venture for a freelancing writer. Whether you believe you have the ability to tutor or guide someone else’s creative journey or you’re simply looking to further your own knowledge base, there are numerous reasons why you might decide to teach. And if you’re looking to make some extra cash, why not supplement your income with a little side hustle?
The Rewards Of Teaching
Aside from the pride you’ll take in seeing a talented writer grow and flourish under your guidance, there are several reasons why you might enjoy the opportunity to teach. First, you get to pass on your knowledge of the craft to others – something you couldn’t do if you’re simply reading and writing for your own enjoyment. Second, you can develop lifelong friends and colleagues through this interaction. Third, you can gain more confidence as a writer through teaching. And finally, you can make a sizable amount of money teaching. How much depends on a number of factors, but as a general rule of thumb, you can make much more than you would as a freelancer.
Even if you’re specifically looking for a part-time gig to supplement your income, there are a number of benefits to teaching. You can start developing a curriculum for the next generation of writers and teach those classes while also continuing to write your own stories. Or, you can join an established writing group with other like-minded individuals and collaborate on a number of projects – all of which can lead to lucrative publishing deals. The choice is ultimately up to you!
The Downside To Teaching
Like any other job, there are both perks and pitfalls associated with teaching. Let’s review a few of the most significant ones. First, as a teacher, you’ll need to have a classroom full of willing students. It’s always preferable to have a classroom of 25 students as opposed to an auditorium of 50 people. This way, you can more easily gauge your progress and make course corrections as needed.
Second, keeping up with the latest trends in education and the publishing industry can be tricky when you’re already a working parent trying to balance a full-time job and a busy schedule. Third, some students may not appreciate your guidance or the fact that you’re not giving them all the answers. For those who do, though, the challenge is worth it.
On the positive side, you get to choose your own hours, set your own standards, and generally work at your own pace. This way of working gives you a certain degree of freedom that you wouldn’t get if you were working for someone else. Additionally, you get to build your own professional network and connect with experts in the field. And finally, you get to create an environment where students feel comfortable approaching you with questions, knowing that you’ll be able to help them out.
No matter what your reasons for teaching, whether you’re looking for a part-time job or see it as a way of life, there are a number of pros and cons to consider before making the jump.