On The Dilettante's blog I read the article "For God's Sake, Don't Become A Writer".
I don't agree with everything the blogger says about being a writer, but I certainly agree with "don't quit your day job" to become a writer. Not unless someone else is supporting the household or you have enough money in the bank to live on.
By all means, write if the fire to write boils in your veins.
By all means if you reach Stephen King's, Nora Robert's or the writer of New Moon's level and your income is sufficient on a regular basis, quit the day job and write full time.
However, if you're just starting or even if you've just received your first book contract, don't quit your day job yet. Some books sell well. Others don't. A lot of books may sell decently when they first come out but not forever. Unless you have books published on a regular basis, the income probably won't be sufficient to live on for long.
Of course there's always an exception and hopefully you'll be the one.
I have children at home to support and I crave security. As much as I would love to quit the day job and write full time, I won't be doing it yet. Several people who left comments on The Dilettante's blog agree with me. Several published authors I know keep their day jobs.
Recent posts you might like to read:
When Do You Write?
Nanowrimo Thoughts
To Nano Or Not To Nano - That Is The Question
Why You Should Consider Library Booksignings
Make Sure Pretentious Words Don't Turn Off Your Readers
Are You Writing Me Into Your Book?
Dont Give Up Too Early
Must Write Must Write Must Write!!!
You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)
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