Written by Aine Greaney
Published by Writer’s Digest Books
Reviewed by Susan Fuchtman
A couple of years ago I went to a writer’s conference and speaker after speaker basically said, “I always wanted to write, but I had to work, but then I married a rich guy and quit my job and now I can write.” Several of us wondered how to sign up for the “find a rich guy” break-out session.
But I have a day job and I’d be silly to quit it. It’s a good job with nice people and, face it, I need the money.
So when I saw Writer with a Day Job I couldn’t resist picking it up.
The book has two main components: Inspiration and tips for writers with a day job, and tools for building the writing craft. Both were well-done, but I was primarily interested in figuring out how to be a writer with a day job. In chapter 2, “Attitudinal Shifts”, Ms. Greaney reminds the reader that day jobs are putting food on the table, after all, and includes a section called “Five Ways to Make Work Better.” I needed that. 9 to 5 isn’t glamorous but it doesn’t have to be awful.
When I reached the chapter on journaling I had an ah-ha moment. It’s common to hear advice about establishing a daily writing habit, but to me it always felt like the reason for it was “because I said so.” But Ms. Greaney’s explanation was more enlightening. She said that when she teaches writing workshops, she can almost always pick out the students who keep a daily journal. Those students write with more fluidity, immediacy, familiarity with language and the written word; and with an “unapologetic boldness about it that tells me that this is someone who has already built up his or her writing muscle via regular journal entries.” (p. 52) Building up writing muscle—that I can understand.
Writer with a Day Job is practical throughout and has many topics of interest. Near the end of the book there’s a chapter with advice on finding, evaluating, and selecting a writer’s group. The chapter includes an exercise on Giving and Taking Feedback that will be the core of a future Word Bums lesson.
For a preview of the book or to buy it, go to http://www.writersdigest.com/day-job-exclusive. Via the link you can also download (free) interviews with “20 writers who’ve beat the 9-to-5 grind.”
Word Bums 
Thanks for the review, Susan.