Goodreads asked Stephen Bradford Marte:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Stephen Bradford Marte Get a job in the writing field.

I suppose it's possible to become a writer by being an auto mechanic or dentist during the day and writing at night, but if you spend your days working with the tools of your trade you'll become a better writer.

Though the job market is tight, from my experience, there are jobs out there for writers. Whether it's in journalism or in advertising, everything you see in print or on the web has to be written by someone. When I've been laid off or wanted to switch companies, I've never had a problem finding employment. My sense is that if you're a good writer, people see it in your work, value it, and will hire you.

Here's the downside. The pay is horrible. Sadly, companies like the one I work for depend on me to come up with all of their ideas for their advertising campaigns, and yet place no monetary value in what I do. Back in the 80's when I was in my 20's and worked at a sales job I made 3x the salary I make today. When my brother, who is still a salesman asks me if I miss selling, I tell him, "Only when I look at my paycheck."

What it comes down to is: satisfaction versus bank account. Which is more important to you? If it's the type of car you drive or the value of your house, don't become a writer. It's like being a rock star. Only one in a million get to become John Lennon or James Patterson. If you're in it for the money, become a salesman or a business owner. As my father used to say, "No one ever got wealthy working for someone else."

If you can survive without owning a Mercedes, then by all means, get a writing job. I've done both, worked at jobs I hated for big bucks and worked as a journalist and an advertising copywriter for bread crumbs. For me, being a starving writer is more satisfying. Of course, what you want out of life is something that only you can determine.

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