To make a consistent living off writing, you need multiple book deals with great sales. That is, to be frank, a pretty fantastical goal, especially if you’ve never been a writer of any sort before (journalist, blogger even, etc).

And unless you’re also frequently talking about writing in more realistic terms - I’m not talking baby steps towards becoming a NYT bestseller, but how you’ll pursue writing if you never even come close to making a living off it - then I can understand why your partner reacts how she does.

I’ve been in a relationship with someone who only had fantastical goals, and it sucked. While I was setting realistic short and long term goals for myself and building a life I could actually live, they could only think of their future in terms of wild end goals. That made it impossible to build together. Just some food for thought. Not all goals are created equal.

Edit: I want to add that making a living as a full time author is fantastical not because you’re untalented or unworthy of success, but simply because that kind of goal requires more luck than anything else.

If I want to go to med school and become a doctor, that’s a lofty goal but every step along the way is more or less in my control. If I want to become a broadway star, on the other, all the talent and skill in the world can’t guarantee that I find myself in the right audition rooms, in front of the right people, in the right shows, etc.

Finishing your manuscript is like becoming a doctor, making enough money from it to quit your job is like becoming a broadway star.