While pursuing that dream, they held down very different jobs to pay the rent. In one case, I know the movie finally found its way to the screen and writing job offers are rolling in for that persevering writer. In between these extremes, we find every possible combination of motives and every kind of working career. Once established as a writer of episodic teleplays, a producer is likely to come back to that writer if he is in need or has a new show coming. That writer is a known entity.
Reputation can create a steady writing income.
It may even be satisfying and fun. Remember, however, episodic television requires the writer to work with characters created by someone else, usually within very tight boundaries of what the cast is allowed to do and what is forbidden. Due to experiences with other writers and their episodes, the producer may decide to make changes to the characters that effect your script in progress. Depending on the genre, the production process may also create a lot of time pressure on the writer. The closest deadlines may be found in sitcom production.