8 Creative Alternative Professions for Writers During the COVID-19 Lockdown
During a global pandemic, when the world seems to have been shut down, our work suffers as much as the economy does. Especially for researchers, going out for population surveys, data collection and collaboration with fellow researchers, students and professors, everything come to a hault. COVID-19 is one such global pandemic where all of the nightmares are coming true for mankind. To maintain order and stay safe, the only thing that we can do is stay at home. But enclosing ourselves also means that our work is paused. Since, colleges, universities and offices are closed, probably writers and academics cannot do the needful during a homestay. Even publishing a book in India and abroad also becomes a challenge when publishing houses are closed. But, here are ways how you can utilize your time during Covid-19 and boost your creativity and earning:
Finish Your Half-Done Work First– You may have worked partially on a mini research earlier, but had stopped it halfway due to something. Finish that first. Start writing that book whose findings and facts are already with you. Access required materials that are available online and keep writing. It can probably be the best time to write a complete book, when your findings are with you, because this is when you cannot go out to work or office, no social meetings or gatherings, no obliging ceremonies. A complete in-home environment can be really motivating if you start writing your book and look forward to getting it published.
Be a Part-Time Scientific Writer– Many technical organizations and telecommunication companies are on the lookout for technical writers and scientific writers for content creation. They need someone who has knowledge of science and the skills of scientific writing. These positions are usually work-from-home structure. Also, many scientific journals require writers to build their website with content regarding what is scientific writing, methodology tips, relevance to scope etc. Sometimes, they require data collection on certain topics and subjects or situations. You can always use your skills to help them when you are home. Not a bad option to earn on a temporary basis.
Be a Grant Writer– Many non-profit organizations require writers to develop proposals for getting funding for multiple purposes from larger business organizations or the Government. Now it is your regular job as a research scientist to prepare funding proposals right? Then why not do the same job and earn some money from home? When you are associated with some kind of writing, your skills are brushed continuously; you stay motivated and of course, some source of livelihood is also required so that you can stay strong for your actual work.
Be a Blogger– Blogging is becoming a booming avenue for earning money creatively. You have the knowledge and you have the technique; you can start your own blog, or you can also post on websites available as knowledge-sharing platforms. If your current book is your only work (which is at pause), talk about it on blogs; make it popular even before it is complete. This will help in pre-marketing your work, even before it is published as a book. Writing and publishing a book as a full-time profession might turn out easier if you have a blog with a huge reader base. Share a part of your research manuscript on your blog; when your work becomes famous, it will sell more copies.
Be a Peer-Reviewer– With the emergence of open-access publications, demand for peer-reviewers are on the high. The added benefit is that these works are fulfilled and delivered online, so they can be done from anywhere in the world; no location restriction. Peer-reviews are performed by scientific experts who have specialized knowledge on the scope of the journal. Hence, for a researcher, taking up the part-time work of a peer-reviewer can be beneficial in not only practicing your skills but also sharing knowledge for greater academic growth.
Be an Instructional Mentor– With the education system also evolving with each passing day, the requirement for online teachers and mentors is also increasing. Several governmental and non-governmental educational programs require volunteer and part-time mentors to support their enrolled students in a course. The work may not be direct instruction or teaching, rather, it is helping students to complete their course successfully. Besides, earning, this job profile gives enough free time. As a researcher/author, you can have the time to do your personal academic works, while still earning. Also, helping others will boost your creativity.
Be a Part-Time Fellow– Many Scientific Organizations across the world require scientific researchers and writers to be part-time Fellows with them. The tasks are to communicate and collaborate with other members, researchers and professors of the organization to keep things systematic. Sometimes they have to review scientific submissions or interview authors etc. These jobs are mostly conducted remotely hence best for a lockdown situation. But this can develop your profile and credibility as an author; which can eventually help with your publication.
Be a Teacher – If you are a life-long academician, teaching can be the best part of doing something, even from home. In a lockdown situation, especially COVID-19, online learning is also taking a soar. Even schools and regular colleges are trying to implement online learning, so you can associate yourself with that. There are several web platforms that are specialized for making online courses available to students. Enroll yourself as an instructor there. Use your niche knowledge to develop quality content for needy students and make money (as more students register your course). Keep an eye for students who need your help for writing researches; many young researchers and authors look for guidelines as to how they can write and publish their work.
Covid-19 is a tough time when life has come to a still, especially for researchers, authors and academicians who delight in fact finding, writing them and publishing their work to share with the world. It is essential to stay motivated so that you can finish what you have started, when things are back on track. If you have an unfinished writing, this is the time to complete it. But if you have none, and your current research is at pause, you have to find ways to boost your creativity, nurture your skills and at the same time, earn some money for your living while still at home. Trying a few of the above will be helpful.
