I'm curious as to who in RP has transitioned into a life of writing - either as a hobbyist or as a full time professional?

PO1 Nathan Watts — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 20:38:04 -0400

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Mar 20 at 2016 8:41 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 20:41:54 -0400

I do not get paid for writing anymore but I enjoy writing as a hobby and hone my skills here and elsewhere PO1 Nathan Watts.
All of my professional writing was for military organizations or my past company will very little if nay that I could actually have my name listed on.
You have posted a good question, Unfortunately I have used up my up-votes for the day.
What are your thoughts COL Mikel J. Burroughs SPC Jeff Daley, PhD?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2016 8:42 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 20:42:02 -0400

it has made me a blogger and it sometimes takes away from my CGSOC studies and sleep on weekends.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2016 8:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 20:45:27 -0400

I blog. If you check the "blogging" tag, you'll find more.

Response by MSgt John Carroll made Mar 20 at 2016 8:47 PM

MSgt John Carroll — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 20:47:31 -0400

As an E7, I have turned in to a professional writer. Writing Performance reports, Quarterly and Annual Awards packages for my Airmen, Decorations, etc...

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 20 at 2016 9:18 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 21:18:30 -0400

I've written a couple books and got a couple more in the works. I self published the first two, but the costs are so much, unless I get some support, I'll just stick to my blogging.

Response by LT John Chang made Mar 20 at 2016 9:37 PM

LT John Chang — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 21:37:45 -0400

I do freelance content marketing, which includes writing and blogging - depending on what the client needs, I create campaigns and a range of content from videos to podcasts. Nowadays it helps to offer package solutions.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Mar 20 at 2016 10:05 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 22:05:19 -0400

I have a few short books out.http://www.amazon.com/T-L-Decay/e/B00CJ2RM4Y/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid= [login to see] &sr=1-2-ent

Amazon.com: T L Decay: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, KindleAmazon.com: Books

Visit Amazon.com's T L Decay Page and shop for all T L Decay books and other T L Decay related products (DVD, CDs, Apparel). Check out pictures, bibliography, biography and community discussions about T L Decay

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 20 at 2016 10:38 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 22:38:34 -0400

Sadly, given the state of the publishing market these days, I would never recommend that anyone quit their day job. I have written all my life, however I never earned a living doing just that. I was published a few times and made a few dollars but not enough to live on. However, with retirement and an adequate retirement income, I found the time to write to my heart's pleasure keeping in mind the adage that "To a businessman, time is money and to an artist, money is time." Well, now that I have the money, I have the time.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 20 at 2016 10:45 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 22:45:01 -0400

Sometimes I enjoy writing in order to give some sense to a nebulous topic. It gives the topic structure and salient points.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Mar 20 at 2016 11:28 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 23:28:31 -0400

That is where I am now. I recently became a member of the Military Writers Guild in FEB 2016.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Mar 22 at 2016 11:03 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 11:03:08 -0400

PO1 Nathan Watts I write a lot on RP, but I've not transition to that permanently!

Response by SFC Malcolm Haugen made Mar 22 at 2016 5:41 PM

SFC Malcolm Haugen — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 17:41:01 -0400

I have about a year ago started to contribute to a VFW Post web site. I am the author of about 90% of the content. some of the articles I have found at other sites and created my own articles but most are my own writings. The sight is VFW628.com if you wish to observe or give me any feed back. I have zero journalism education and I am learning to do all this on my own. Im not the best written, but I hope I provide enough information or give enough information to link to more information. thanks.

Response by MAJ Allen Tiffany made Mar 24 at 2016 10:49 PM

MAJ Allen Tiffany — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 22:49:13 -0400

I have written for most of my life, and I published a short novel about the 173rd in Vietnam last year. It has done well, but nowhere near enough money to live on. It has been a fascinating experience learning about the publishing industry, though, and I'll soon publish my first full-length novel. ...now if that one gets picked up for a movie, I might just retire. ;)

Response by PO1 Nathan Watts made Mar 24 at 2016 11:05 PM

PO1 Nathan Watts — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 23:05:46 -0400

Really great responses - thank you all for sharing your experiences. I hope to learn a few things from those of you who have traveled the novelist road before me.
Here's to slinging ink!

Response by SPC Anna Larson made Mar 29 at 2016 2:49 PM

SPC Anna Larson — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:49:34 -0400

I have one non-non fiction published in my real name and one novella, and three short stories in anthologies published in my pen name and one novel 75% complete to be published by October. But I'm still working a regular job full time and writing in my spare time.

Response by MAJ Randall P. made Apr 2 at 2016 1:02 PM

MAJ Randall P. — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 13:02:39 -0400

I am a full-time copy editor and writer who works with individuals and businesses. Upon transition, I did not go directly into these areas, but worked in management consulting positions and other jobs. The previous posts that say it is difficult to make a lot of money in writing are correct. Making a living through writing is challenging, but certainly not impossible. One has to work at it in several ways. Hope this helps. - Randall. http://www.editing-expert.com.

Home - Randall D. Ponder

This website is maintained by Randall D. Ponder.

Response by Nicholas Efstathiou made May 19 at 2016 8:20 PM

Nicholas Efstathiou — Thu, 19 May 2016 20:20:09 -0400

I have, first as a hobbyist and just a few steps away from full-time. Hoping to be there in a few months, this fall the latest.

Response by PO3 Jade Crowsmeadow made Jun 1 at 2016 8:41 PM

PO3 Jade Crowsmeadow — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 20:41:59 -0400

I wouldn't call it transitioned into. I call it a continuation of an obsession. I just find myself making excuses as why none of my many projects are finished. Maybe because I think my "babies" are awesome, and don't want anyone to tell me different. I do love to write. My command likes that I do too. Their award requests are always granted and we win almost all of out quarter and year boards. It's all about the vocabulary and how the puzzle fits together.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Jun 2 at 2016 7:09 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 19:09:06 -0400

Me. Mostly hobbyist at present. I earned my degree in professional writing. I've had two blogs on environmental subjects in the last two years too.