There are a lot of hobbies out there -- some people put small ships into bottles, some fly remote-controlled airplanes, some knit sweaters for dogs, some paint abstract pictures of chickens in pastels, and some write. Writing is often thought of as just that, a hobby, but nothing more. While many people write novels as a side job, writing can definitely be described as a livelihood and successful career.

There is a deeply held stigma regarding the "starving artist" that causes many aspiring writers to give up any hope of writing as a career. While you may not make a living writing vampire romance novels, you could do well as a technical writer, copywriter, or advertiser. The fiction writers are currently rolling their eyes and sighing, I know. It's not writing fanfiction in your parent's basement, but it is writing, and it is still an art. If you are willing to put the effort into making your writing skills stronger, or if you have the natural tact for the written word, this may be for you! Businesses really need strong writers. People today have no concept of what good writing is, and they need people, such as yourself, to go in there and write for them! Your writing can be more than a hobby.

Writing is an art, no matter the form, and not everyone can be good at it! Many people think that the art is only seen in novels, poetry, and plays but that is simply not true. While works of literature are art, so is the written advertisement on the side of your cereal box and the instruction booklet that came with your new blender and the Apple Terms of Agreement form that no one ever reads. The average person wouldn't give these writings a second glance, but us writers know that to write something clearly and concisely is not a coincidence. These "boring" writings are not algorithms on a computer and they are not machines printing one after another. These writing are handcrafted by individuals just like you -- they take time and thought, they are made by talented writers. They may have to adhere to some guidelines and templates, but the work the writers produce is theirs and it is their art. In a world where things are becoming more digitalized and made faster through the use of machines, there are less of these creative jobs available to individuals.

Writers, know that your passion and talent, does not have to be put in a box only to be pulled out when you're bored. It does not have to be a hobby. You can make a living writing and it is still an art. You can put your skills and love of the written word to work to make a living. There is common advice that claims that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. This can be true for you too. Keep writing.