Writing While Broke By T. Stanley

​It was the worst of times…it was the worst of times.

I’ve written a few times about the difficulty of prioritizing writing when you have another job or just life-in-general getting in the way. But that difficulty triples (at least) in size when your finances are dwindling to nothing and you have to worry about making rent in the next few months. The wall you build up slowly between you and your writing gets taller and taller as your bank account gets smaller and smaller.

But writing is an investment. A scary one, for sure, but a worthwhile one—even if you aren’t getting paid for it. Besides which, struggling is often the source of many good stories and ideas. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.

And in the mean time, here are some solid ideas on saving and/or making money for all you destitute writers:

1. Reuse tea bags or coffee grounds where applicable.
2. Stop drinking, like seriously. It is way too expensive.
3. Go to any FREE event, but if there is a cover turn right back around.
4. Sell some of your books…?
5. I mean, you don’t HAVE to, but if they are in good condition and you aren’t sure you are going to read them again…
6. Okay, okay, don’t do that if it the idea offends you, I get it.
7. Turn off all the lights in your house. Write by candlelight. It’s romantic anyway.
8. Don’t buy any NEW books. Just read the ones you have.
9. I mean, unless you see a used book that you just have to have and it’s not too expensive. Like less than $10. That’s probably ok.
10. Who am I kidding? Just spend all your money on books and worry about it all later.