Tennessee Williams worked as a caretaker, Robert Frost delivered newspapers and J.K.Rowling was a secretary. The idea of a penniless writer trying to make ends meet is well established, and many aspiring writers find themselves working multiple side jobs whilst sending off manuscripts to potential publishers. Look at the jobs that famous writers found themselves doing whilst they penned thier famous work, as an inspiration to budding writers.
I like this topic a lot, as an aspiring author myself. I believe that whosoever will grab this topic will need to make sure that they expand a decent amount, mentioning more than just the authors listed here. Perhaps, the jobs that authors of a variety of genres were performing, before they became famous. – Dominic Sceski8 years ago
I like this topic, but please fix "Tennesse" to "Tennessee". – Laura Jones8 years ago
Frost was also a farmer. T.S. Eliot worked at a bank. Wallace Stevens sold insurance. Walt Whitman worked as a nurse during the Civil War. – JLaurenceCohen8 years ago
Really interesting topic. I, for one, didn't know J.K Rowling was a secretary. There are also so many possible authors to focus on. Try to narrow it to three or four, and make them fairly well known, don't delve to deep into the realm of authors and pick one that only English Majors would know. – Natalie Gardner8 years ago
Hm, fun! Reminds me of reading Steven King's "On Writing" and learning of his success. – Candice Evenson8 years ago
I would maybe try to link reasons for why these jobs were chosen. Are they easier jobs that have less stress or time constraints allowing oneself more resources to write? Are they all jobs and not careers since the writer knows they are just to make ends meet and have nothing to do with a future? – Tatijana8 years ago
What would be the argument of an article in this case? Does this topic aim to do several descriptive case studies or would it focus on the side job of a writer and how her/his experiences influenced her or his writing. – Arazoo Ferozan8 years ago
An interesting point to make out or "twist" could be identifying what writer's had writing as a side job. Sir Thomas More, who wrote Utopia was an English lawyer. JRR Tolkien and C.S Lewis were both professors. – AbeRamirez7 years ago