A WORDSLINGER PODCAST
Should you REALLY become a full-time writer? For many authors, quitting the day job to write books for a living is the ultimate dream. But what if becoming a full-time author isn't actually the best thing for your writing career?
I've written more than 90 books, spent years working full-time jobs while building my author career, and experienced the freedom—and unexpected challenges—of writing full-time. Here's something that might surprise you: Sometimes I was MORE productive as a writer when I had a day job.
In this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, we're talking about what it really takes to become a full-time author, why having unlimited writing time isn't always an advantage, and how to know whether you're actually ready to quit your job and write for a living.
We'll explore the financial realities of making a living as an author, the hidden costs of leaving traditional employment, how isolation and relationships can affect your writing life, and why discipline matters more than having hours of free time. I'll also share my personal experience with creative burnout, how it nearly derailed my writing career, and what I've learned about finding a sustainable balance between writing, work, and life.
Whether you're an aspiring novelist, a self-published author working toward financial independence, or a creative entrepreneur trying to turn your passion into a career, this conversation might change how you think about success.
Because maybe the real goal isn't becoming a full-time writer. Maybe it's having the freedom to choose how you spend your time.
Are you working toward becoming a full-time author? Or have you found that keeping your day job actually helps your writing? Tell me in the comments. I'd love to hear how you're making it work.
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EPISODE CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Welcome to Wordslinger
01:52 – When Life Gets in the Way of Writing
05:19 – Should You Really Become a Full-Time Writer?
06:41 – The Hidden Danger of Having Unlimited Writing Time
08:20 – Rapid-Fire News Flash with Dale Roberts
10:42 – The Dream vs. the Reality of Writing Full-Time
12:50 – Finding Time to Write While Working a Day Job
16:34 – How Do You Know You're Ready to Quit Your Job?
17:03 – Can Your Writing Income Replace Your Salary and Benefits?
18:03 – The Loneliness of Being a Full-Time Author
20:01 – Writing, Health, and Unexpected Responsibilities
21:39 – Managing Relationships When You Work from Home
23:19 – Why Discipline Matters More Than Free Time
25:32 – How a Day Job Can Actually Make You More Productive
26:55 – Setting Goals and Avoiding Burnout
29:16 – Financial Freedom and Rethinking Your Day Job
32:10 – Why Having Options Is the Real Goal
33:36 – Is Full-Time Writing Right for You?
RAPID-FIRE NEWS FLASH WITH DALE ROBERTS
08:20 – ACX Reports Early Results from Audible's New Royalty Model
ACX reports that audiobook creators collectively earned more in royalties during the first months of Audible's new royalty model, though questions remain about how the changes affect individual authors.
https://acx.com
08:49 – Audible Plans International Expansion
Audible announces plans to expand into five additional countries in 2027, while new research highlights how audiobooks can help readers discover authors and purchase their other books.
Publishers Weekly: Frankfurt Book Fair 2026, Audible Wants to Turn Every Book into an Audiobook
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/Frankfurt-Book-Fair/article/101500-
09:17 – Spotify Offers 1,000 Free Audiobook Redemption Codes
Spotify for Authors now allows eligible account holders to generate up to 1,000 free audiobook redemption codes per title, opening new opportunities for review copies, giveaways, and audiobook promotion.
https://authors.spotify.com/blog/redemption-codes
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https://youtube.com/@SelfPubWithDale
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Find Kevin and his books:
https://kevintumlinson.com
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https://kevintumlinson.substack.com
Wordslinger Podcast home page:
https://wordslingerpodcast.com
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