Journal Entry
Two freaking years, man, two years (my two year freelanceiversary)
May 9th 2008 at 3:51 pm
Well over two years ago I made everyone excited, but nervous (and raised some relative’s eyebrows), by writing this blog entry:
On Feb. 3rd I shared that my job position was being cut. The job search has not been so hot, and most of the interesting jobs would require a big move, with Emily having to re-find a job as well.
Over the last few weeks I began to sit down and consider my situation. I had just gotten my W2s from work, and I looked at how much income I made from the 8-5. It wasn’t a staggering amount. And I thought about how hard I pushed myself to be in on time, how much more productive I was at other times (night), and what kind of career should I aim for for my next dayjob.
and
So I’m declaring that when May 30th rolls around, somehow, I’m not going to work an 8-5, I’m going to be a full time freelancer.
What form the freelance work takes I’m not sure.
Ballsy, huh? Yet I walked out of my dayjob before my self assigned deadline, on May 9th, 2006 (a full three months before I was supposed to leave, woot!).
Thank you to my friends who posted and emailed links of possible leads. My thanks to Jeff VanderMeer, for helping me get one of my first big freelance assignments ever (I still owe you big, Jeff) which helped give the confidence to pursue other big assignments. Thank you to the readers who cheered me on here at the blog, thanks to everyone who keeps buying my books, spreading the word, and thanks to my agent and editor who keep looking out for me, and lastly, I’m grateful to Emily for being so supportive when I threw up my hands and said ’screw it, I’m jumping off the ledge to do this instead looking for another 8-5.’
I’m happier, far, far more financially secure than I ever was at the 8-5 (doubled my income, hell, I even own the sportscar I’ve lusted after since I first saw it rolled out in 2000), more productive, travel more, and generally each year I cross my fingers that I get to repeat it again.
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Tobias is a Caribbean-born SF/F novelist who lives in Ohio.
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1. Matt Staggs on May 9th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
That’s awesome, Tobias! You’re living the dream, compared to a slice of cubicle veal like me.
2. Mary Robinette Kowal on May 9th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Congratulations! That’s inspiring news.
3. Simon Haynes on May 9th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Congrats! I share your passion for Japanese sports cars too
The Spacejock-mobile:
Perfect for dropping the kids at school …
4. Simon Haynes on May 9th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Okay, img links not allowed. Here’s the source (it’s only a thumbnail):
http://www.spacejock.com.au/blogpics/Wrx12_sml.jpg
5. Scott Parker on May 9th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I admire your courage. I’m still the semi-fashioned way: day job until the permanent-writing job reveals itself. I read a lot of crime and pulp fiction and I admire you as well as all those guys who wrote for a living back in the day where meeting a deadline meant food on the table. Me, with my Ward Cleaver life, I guess I’m a little more reticent than just jumping out there. There will probably be a day, though, where I’ll join your ranks. Again. bravo to you. Keep it up.
6. Wyman Cooke on May 9th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Happy Freelanceiversary!
7. Mark Terry on May 10th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Pete’s daughter interviewed me last weekend for a career day thing about freelancing and one of the questions was about what the biggest success has been. I told her there had been a lot of ups and a few downs, but October 20, 2004 was the biggest up–the day I turned to freelance writing full-time.
In addition to being one of my son’s birthday, it’s a day where my life turned into something I’m very, very happy about.
So congrats.
8. Steve Buchheit on May 12th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Yippie! ::throws confetti::
Congrats, Tobias. Here’s to a long, healthy, prosperous freenlancery!
9. Stephen Granade on May 12th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Woo! That’s great, and congratulations!