3. The Self-Made Editor

"I married young and was a stay-at-home mother for 15 years. I held a few jobs here and there: teacher, medical assistant, volunteer, but nothing long term. I dabbled in writing children's books and poetry, but when I got involved in writer's groups I always liked the part where I got to critique other people's work more than submitting my own. Group members seemed to really like and seek out my feedback, so I started offering additional readings outside of the group for, like, $5.

Then my husband left. So there I was, with two kids, and a mortgage, and bills to pay, and NO MONEY. We were eating from the food shelf. I got desperate and sat down one day and thought, OK. What are my resources? What DO I have? I had a B.A. and remembered the critiques I had done for writing groups. I took my last few dollars, created a website, and started an editing business. Much to my amazement and gratitude, it worked! I started off on the cheap and raised my prices as I gained experience. As I earned money, I was able to join professional organizations, network with other editors, and take classes to improve my skills.

Now a few years later I make enough money to support the three of us. I'm always booked out several weeks, and I love my job. I can do it in my pajamas at midnight if I want to, and I'm always home to be with my daughters. Plus I get to read all the time, which is like a dream come true!

I never knew what I wanted to do with my life when I was younger. It took me 36 years and a crisis to stumble upon my career, but I'm so incredibly happy now."

—Sonnet Fitzgerald (Facebook)