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So let's say, hypothetically, you followed journalist Christopher Hitchens' advice and quit your dayjob. Now what?

Most freelancers don't like to talk about it, but you can write for money--for advertising, corporate copy or advertising-magazines that have informative articles mixed with sales copy like those airplane magazines.

I just rediscovered an essay by critically-acclaimed science fiction writer John Scalzi (author of Agent to the Stars and lots and lots of other things) on that very topic. It's a rare, honest look at the fine art of supporting yourself with other kinds of writing. It's a priceless post:

"Much of this writing is not what people romantically consider "writing," but I enjoy it for a number of reasons. First off, business writing pays well, which provides me a financial foundation for other less profitable writing (I think of it as my "day job"). Second, speaking as a writer, it's often a relief to have "directed work" -- that is, work with definite, achievable short-term goals."

If you have more questions, drop him a line for Reader Request Week 2008.