Writers spend much time and effort creating books, and those who are serious about making a living — or at least supplementing household income — invariably reach the proverbial fork in the road when they must ask, “Do I have what it takes?” If you have reached this point, here are a few questions you may find helpful:

1.) Are you willing to rise every morning to face a blank computer screen or intense edits?

2.) If so, do you have adequate family support to pursue a career where you work out of your home and resulting income will be irregular?

3.) Are you willing to write and then rewrite, and then rewrite, and then rewrite, your book?

4.) Do you cope well with deadlines?

5.) Are you getting positive feedback from publishing professionals?

6.) Are you ready to form a partnership with an agent, editor, and publisher?

These are just a few questions aspiring writers should ask. Which questions did I miss?

Your turn:

Have you quit your day job to be a full-time writer? Share your experience.

In your experience, what is the most challenging aspect of making a solid income as a writer?

Have you changed your writing to capture a market? How?