[deaconblues]

Publishing I can understand, but a seasoned sitcom writer -- especially a Roseanne alum -- should have been able to pick up more writing work. I'm not saying he's lazy or entitled or anything like that, just that the world can sometimes be a scary place where you end up in a bad situation just by luck of the draw.

[not_that_noob]

The article makes the point that sitcoms declined as reality TV was on the ascent. Fewer jobs available writing for sitcoms, and there were other great writers with current experience competing against him.

[beachstartup]

he only briefly mentions this, but he took 2 years off to spend more time with is family at exactly the wrong time, when the jobs started disappearing.

quite honestly anyone who takes two years off when their career is at peak potential shouldn't be surprised at anything career-wise that happens from that point forward. all bets are off when you just check the f out for 2 years.

how many successful people could take 2 years off from their work and expect things to be fine when they come back? this line of (non-) reasoning is sheer lunacy.

[lgieron]

Regarding your last question - I'd say it's pretty much the norm in our field.

[kamaal]

You must be kidding.

Let alone taking a 2 year break. If you are not having side projects which you work after office hours, late night and weekends.

If you are not learning quickly, adapting or improving your skills fast enough. You are setting yourself up for disaster.

[beachstartup]

you should try it and see what happens.

go ahead, give yourself a 2 year break.

[lgieron]

I did that. After the break, I found a contract that paid more than a double than the previous one. Then another break (this time a little less than a year), and another bump in pay. If you can show you're valuable, the gaps don't matter (at least, that is my experience).