
I’m not the biggest fan of the term digital nomad, but I’ve used it before and it does apply to me most of the time, so I’m kind of stuck with it. It actually fits most writers—we can write from wherever as long as we’ve got a laptop and the occasional Internet connection to send our files along to beta readers and agents and editors.
But so few fiction writers are into this digital nomad subculture. Bopping around cafes and coworking spaces in Asia, I rarely run into anyone involved in fiction. There are always a few characters who want to write a book, but few are actually making a living writing—most do marketing, social media, tech, design, or other businessy things I can’t explain in less than a paragraph. The writers are almost always bloggers, freelance editors, or travel writers who are into more of the non-fiction side of life. Which isn’t to say that fiction nomads don’t exist…they just don’t necessarily use the same labels or advertise themselves as such.
This puzzles me, but I somewhat understand. Writing fiction isn’t as reliable as say a freelance graphic design business or as official sounding as a tech startup, and advances and royalties are low, especially when you’re just starting out. It would be a terrible idea to fly to Chiang Mai or Ubud or Medellin or wherever the kids are going these days with a book idea and plans to start writing and making a living. You’d run out of money before you left the airport. But established writers?
This is the life, man. Even for a writer firmly at mid-list, what you earn can go so much farther in Asia or South America. My Thai apartment with cleaning service costs less than $300 a month. It’s not glamorous by any means, but it’s clean and located in cafe central, so it checks all my boxes.
Most fiction writers just aren’t plugged into the idea of going mobile. It’s fine for me to galavant around—I’m single and my parents let me crash with them when I’m stateside as long as I keep them swimming in homemade pasta and quiche. I know a lot of other writers, and few of them are in my demographic. Most have kids and/or spouses, house payments, and are otherwise locked into wherever they are. Or they think they are. I think more could make the switch to this kind of lifestyle, but haven’t considered it, or just aren’t interested.
I wish more fiction writers would branch out and hit the road, partially for selfish reasons. I’d love to have a buddy or two to write around with and join in my cafe-hopping habit.
Given, being away from home isn’t the greatest. I can’t contact my family that often and I’m perpetually out of the loop with what my friends and relatives are up to in their lives. Even so, I think giving that up (at least temporarily) is a fair trade for what you can get out of the nomad lifestyle. I’m so much more creative when I’m on the road, and experiencing other cultures always gives me new insights into what I’m putting on the page. And for a foodie like me, this is heaven. Yeah, I can get Thai food at home, but little roadside buffets that sell MSG-coated Chinese/Japanese/Vietnamese/Thai fusion food can’t hold a candle to the real thing. I’m getting so spoiled by curries cooked to order and perfectly mixed Thai teas.
This lifestyle isn’t for everyone and it’s not forever, but I’m digging it in the short term. If you’re out there wondering how to make it work, drop me a message. I’m all for getting more you genre fiction peeps out into the world, and I’m happy to co-sign the decision to leave the country if you’re having doubts.
Fantastic! I was really starting to wonder if there were ANY fiction writer digital nomads around. All the writers seem to be bloggers or content writers.
I write fiction as well and would love to be a digital nomad, but I’ll be getting married soon and he’s not a “traveler”, so that puts a crimp in things. But this is where people need to get creative!
After the wedding I’m going to be traveling for a month at a time every 6 months or so. Sometimes my husband will come with me and sometimes he won’t. Just because he doesn’t travel it doesn’t mean he would ever try to stop me from traveling. So I’ll just make trips when I can and write my novels poolside.
It may not be a “hard core” digital nomad lifestyle but it’s a pretty good married life/ travel bug balance.
That’s awesome, Stephanie! There’s no point in following anyone else’s definition of what a digital nomad should be. If you find a travel style that works for you and your loved ones, then go for it : ) Hope you find your happy place and get tons of writing done!
Hi Lola,
I am totally wanting to do the Digital nomad life as a fiction writer. I do have the whole “IT” background to back it up, should I need too (I am a programmer and a Fullstack Web Dev) so I am thinking of picking up a few contracts or some kind of part time remote work in IT and use the rest of my time to work on publishing more of my work.
It was great to read your take on it!
Have a nice day,
Ryphna
That sounds great, Ryphna! Having a tech background makes you so much more flexible–then you know you can get income without banking totally on your fiction from the beginning. Good luck!!
I enjoyed your very insightful post, Lola. As a fiction writer about to publish my first novel, in the UK towards the end of this year, I’m seriously looking into a few months’ stay anywhere a fan heater wouldn’t be a must at all times. All the best for now.