Saturday 6 June 2009

Turning Pro



Good plan? Bad plan? I have done it anyway. I have handed in my notice and, from September, writing will be what I do. It would be a much braver move if I were younger or we still had school and university fees to pay. Still, I have to confess to being slightly nervous. At the moment if I have a bad day at the office, I can console myself that I am really a writer. If I’m getting nowhere with my plot I can console myself that I’m really a charity CEO. After September all my eggs will be in one basket. And even after the worst day at the office, at the moment I still get paid for it. Against that I have to ask whether, at the age of twenty, my ambition was to be a charity CEO. Possibly not.

So, wish me luck. I think I’m going to need it. I’ll let you know how it goes. As from September, I’ll have a lot more time to post on this blog ….

19 comments:

Frances Garrood said...

Congratulations, Len! It sounds as though you're doing the right thing, so the very best of luck. Is this another first for MNW?

no said...

Yeah, Len! Go!

Does this mean you have time to lounge about in cafes now?

Anonymous said...

Well done, Len, I admire you! I am sure it is the right decision and will bear the fruit of many wondrous words.

Ellie said...

Well done, Len! It's fantastic that you're doing this. I'm sure your fans will be expecting you to write even more books, even more quickly, now.

(Eliza)

Alis said...

Many, many congratulations and may your writing flourish... as I'm sure it will. You'll definitely beat me to that Civil War novel now!

mattfwcurran.com Web Admin said...

Great news Len, and I reckon a sensible move too. You've joined the ranks of MNWer's like Roger Morris who I understand is enjoying his added freedom to commit himself to all things-creative. (As a half-pro I'm envious, but I'm chipping away at those hours slowly but surely - next year I drop another 6 day-job hours a week!!)

Maggie Dana said...

Len

The very best of British luck in your new full-time career. And thanks again for a lovely evening on Friday. I'm still thinking about those amazing quiches. What a fabulous meal you treated us to, to say nothing of the fabulous company.

Mags

Ann Weisgarber said...

Len, congratulations on taking this big step. It's the right decision. Not only will you have more time to write, but you'll enjoy the process since you won't be sleep deprived. And, as Aliya pointed out, cafes await.

Tim Stretton said...

Len, this sounds like exactly the right time for you to make the jump. I've every confidence that you'll make this work.

Particularly now you've got all those plot ideas and titles that Maggie, Ann and I came up with - obviously the clincher in your decision to go pro!

Brian McGilloway said...

Congratulations Len and very best wishes for September. I have no doubt you will make a resounding success of it.

Doug Worgul said...

You're a trailblazer for the rest of us, Len. Send us postcards.

Congratulations.

drw

Maggie Dana said...

Ah, Tim ... I'd forgotten about all the good stuff you, Ann, and I fed to Len on Friday night. Wonder if we'll get credit when he's a megastar and jetting off to book signings all over the world.

Len Tyler said...

Thanks everyone for your good wishes. I am much reassured and look forward to lounging in cafes with you all next year.

It was really good to see some of you last week, but especially Maggie and Ann during their visit to London. Many thanks for the plot ideas and thanks, Alis, for letting me have the second half of the Civil War - I promise to look after it carefully!

no said...

Pencil me in for lounging, Len. Munchie is leaving me to attend school, so I'll be up for extra caffeine and chat.

Peter Rozovsky said...

Good luck with that brave leap. Many would love to follow you.
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
“Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home”
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/

Len Tyler said...

Thanks Aliya. Mine's an espresso. Thanks Peter for the good wishes. I'm enjoying the posts on self reference on your blog, which I recommend to other MNWers.

Peter Rozovsky said...

Thanks, Len. I've just made yet one more post on the subject, the last for now, I think.

That was my second set of recent posts about a writer who calls his or her work cozy (OK, cosy). The other was about Ruth Dudley Edwards. Among other things, this reminds me how large the great figure of P.G. Wodehouse looms.
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/

Peter Rozovsky said...

One contestant has submitted his entries for that contest, if you want to pop over to my post and tell him if he's right.
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/

Peter Rozovsky said...

The contest goes great guns with no help from me!
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/