Seen a few aspiring writers on here worrying that after the pandemic they will be "too old" to get their chance. So to whoever needs to hear this: I know more than one working TV writers who came to it as a second career. 1/?

Sure, a lot of people get their break by working the assistant track in their 20's. But that is only one way. You can be doing your future self favors in the meantime: 2/?

Expertise in another field can add value to an emerging writer. Do you have firsthand stories from the ER or the boardroom or the mailroom or the soup kitchen? Bring 'em! 3/?

And if you can, sock away some savings in your first career to tide you over hiatuses in writing. It can give you the privilege in your 40's or 50's that some are born to: to weather hiatuses, to develop material you care about, to walk with confidence. 4/4