If you like to spend time writing, but want a day job to keep the finances ticking over, get a cleaning job.
1. Most cleaning jobs are early morning, so you’re up and out, then you have the rest of the day to yourself. Or, they’re evening jobs, so you’ll have the mornings free.
2. You have to be reasonably fit, and your job will make sure you keep moving. Important when you get older to be able to move around before sitting down at your desk to write.
3. It’s not like you’ll be stuck at a desk all day. And you get to meet a variety of people, which can only help with the story writing.
4. Mostly, you should be able to get a job, as we all need cleaners, whether it’s in the home or workplace. Not everyone wants to do this kind of job, so that makes it that less people apply.
5. You might be lucky like me and have a great employer with a good sense of humour and who appreciates you.
So what are you waiting for, go and get that job…….
Coming soon, Murder on the Market.
Published on Creative Frontiers.
Sue’s Website 
Great piece of persuasive writing, Susan! Hope the job continues to inspire you and I know what to do if I get made redundant. By the way, the early morning office cleaner in my last job was always cheerful – now I know why!
That’s true, Sally. I like to sing, and so do the other cleaners who work with me. I’m more like Hilda Ogden, but it helps the day along.
It’s great to hear how well this job fits in with your writing life, Suzy, and lovely to know you have a good boss!
Thanks Rosemary, for popping in to comment. Yes, I’ve had some stinkers, so it’s great to know that people aren’t shouting, ‘pick up the phone’ like in my job before this one.
Cleaning was one of my many jobs, Sue. I liked how I could switch off and dream while I was working. A lot of my 50+ jobs meant I could do this. Hope you get loads of ideas and overhear lots of interesting bits of conversation.
Yes, Lynne, you’re so right. I’m thinking up my story ideas as I whizz along with the duster. And people are always glad you’ve been as well. I think I’ll have another 5 reasons next month:)))
A bit of dusting and hoovering is o.k. but I wouldn’t fancy some of the other jobs.
I know what you mean, Keith. My daughter has a cleaning company who deal with dead bodies that have been lying around for days or weeks, and hypodermic needles on waste ground, and those houses that you see on The Hoarder Next Door on TV. Yuck!
Now that’s what I’d call hard work…. somebody has to do it, and good for your daughter. Though I thought she sold naughty nighties??
It’s all in the mind Keith. And the thought of having a chunk of wages at the end of the week keeps you going. Glad you popped in.
I’ve done various extra jobs to supplement my earnings over the years, including delivering leaflets and collecting money from evening class students. One of the best and worst, though, was recruiting collectors for Barnardo’s via a telesales-type campaign. Best, because it got me talking to all sorts of folk; worst because the general public can be awfully rude!
That sounds like hard work Julia. And sounds like a love/hate one. The general public go from one extreme to another. Glad you called by.
Glad the job is working out so well for you, Sue. Looking forward to reading your next Redington murder on Creative Frontiers.
Thanks Jan, and so glad of your help with it. People keep changing names if you don’t watch me:))))
😉
And – unlike me and all the other teachers – you don’t have marking to do in the evening or at weekends!
That’s true Charlie, once the job is done, I’m home for coffee and toast until the next day.
It does sound like a great job for a writer. A cleaner would be a good character too as they might get to see or overhear all kinds of things.
That’s true, Patsy. Most people are really friendly, but once they’ve said hello, you become almost invisible. Except for the odd gossip or two, then we get to know lots of things.
Pleased you’re enjoying your job, it sounds perfect for you. When I was working full time I longed to have more time for writing, but when I was able to give up the day job I soon discovered that being stuck on your own trying to write for hours on end is very difficult. I get a lot more writing done – and enjoy it more – when I have to fit it in with lots of other activities.
You’re so right Linda. I remember, following an operation, I had to sit around for a few months. Someone had the great idea, that now I had time to write my novel… I did write, but felt enormous pressure to come up with a novel in six months. Hopefully the efforts might get published one day. I’d rather fill my day with other things as well though. Until the big contract comes through of course:))))