Should I quit whatever I am doing and take up a career as a Poet?

Question

Does it work that way? Or should I continue with whatever I am doing and write Poetry in my free time?

Answer 1

You should just write.....a writer writes.

This is what I'm going to do: Continue with what I'm doing, and pursue my writing like I've never done before. You have to pay the bills, after all, but I'm done putting my writing on a shelf or in some virtual folder in my computer to collect dust. I'm going to write, and hopefully I'll throw a few things out there sometime soon ;)

(I'm not 100% sure how it works either!)

Answer 2

It really depends on whether you can afford to quit what you are doing now - both FINANCIALLY and EMOTIONALLY.

Finanically, because let's face it, you probably won't be making enough to live on in the short term and while you are chasing your dreams and expressing your creativity (which of course is very important and particularly fulfilling if you can make it earn you a living) you still need to eat, pay bills etc.

Emotionally, because if you quit what you're doing now and focus 100% on your poetry, which may well initially sound like an enticing way to go, you are also putting a great deal of expectation on your shoulders, and this will be an expectation that will only grow heavier with the passage of time.

While the life of a full time poet may sound appealing, I think over time the pressure to succeed could take away some of the concept's romanticism, should you abruptly give up your current direction in order to focus soley on becoming a successful poet.

I think your passion for poetry is clearly evident by the fact that you are currently considering this and I applaud your passion and wish you the very best of luck with it.

I think however it is important to remember that creative arts like poetry, don't necessarily take "full time devotion". When one is engaged in a creative piece, sometimes you can achieve in a couple of inspired hours what you could never have achieved had you regimented a routine in terms of daily work hours to acheive the same.

Also, while many creative people are extremely driven to succeed in their creative outputs, it should also be noted that not all succeed. I'm sure you know the facts and figures, and I don't intend to break your spirit by going into them, but there is a need to balance realism with ambition, which no doubt you have considered.

It is important to stay positive and achieve to the best of your ability, but you should also focus on having a well rounded life where you are not completely obsessed with your creative passion so you don't fall into the unfortunately so familiar depressive states that many creative people fall victim to.

Whichever way you choose to approach your creativity, I wish you all the very best of luck and hope that it brings you great success and above all, great happiness and personal fulfillment.

Answer 3

Continue what you are doing and write poetry at the sides. Being a poet won't give you enough paycheck for you to live by.

Answer 4

It really depends on you.

If you don't need much money to get by, you can quit your job and be a poet full time.

If you haven't got a lot of money in the bank, then continue your job and write poetry in your spare time. Try and get somebody to publish your poems and see if they take off.

Very few poets can survive on the fees they earn writing poetry but you might be one of the lucky few.

Good luck to you!

Answer 5

Are you kidding me?? A friggin Poet?

Nobody makes a living or even comes close as a poet. Unless your wealthy and don't need the money, you need to save the poetry writing for when your sitting on the can.

Answer 6

If it something that you love, do it. Don't deny yourself, the things that make you happy. I'm currently read a bood called "The Success Principles" I say read it, its from the Chicken Soup for the Soul Guys. It says follow what you love. You find a way. It might be a challenge to get to where you want, but if your determined you'll find a way.

I say go for it. Good luck.
Future Poet.

Answer 7

I think the latter is more ''practical''.
First establish yrself as a Poet & then quit w/ever else that u are doing to consolidate yr position as a full time Poet.

Answer 8

Haha. Wow. Unless you think you are the best poet in the world, I would just stick with it being a hobby. Quiting everything would be a pretty dumb idea, at least try seeing if your poetry has the chops to make it first. lol

Answer 9

Write Poetry in your free time and publish what you can. Once you're making enough to support yourself, do it full time. Good Luck! =)

Answer 10

Up to you ..but if you dont feel satisfied and happy with your current job because you are made a poet then do that!