We recently connected with Robert Jeffrey II and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Robert thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Since I graduated from college I’d worked as a freelance writer. Whether it was working with news publications like The Atlanta Voice Newspaper, or focusing on more creative-focused projects for clients such as Terminus Media, DC Comics, 133Art, and the Centers for Disease Control, my writing was my side hustle for about seventeen years. For the 9-5 I worked administrative related jobs. These included positions such as working as a data entry specialist and file clerk.

The 9-5 jobs were what primarily paid the bills, kept a roof over my head, and provided all the basics that you need to live a comfortable life. Did I love what I was doing full-time? Not really, but I was grateful for the money-making opportunities they provided. I was able to take care of myself, and then later my family by working these types of jobs. My true love was writing, and I did that as much as I could with my freelance writing.

So it wasn’t until 2022 that I became a full-time writer. This was after years of building a varied portfolio of work that spanned writing for comic books, video games, tabletop RPG gaming, prose fiction, and journalism. I’m still keeping up with my comic book writing pursuits. But I’m blessed to say that now my 9-5 is something that I actually like doing, while still being able to take care of my family while doing it.

Robert, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a writer who has contributed to the worlds of comic books, video games, tabletop RPG’s, and prose fiction. I currently work for video game developer Blowfish Studios as a game writer on the upcoming Phantom Galaxies, an open-world mecha space opera action RPG.

As mentioned I’ve got over 17 years of experience as a comic book writer, and I am a graduate of the DC Comics 2017 Writers Workshop. My portfolio includes work for DC Comics, 133Art Publishing, Subsume Media, RAE Comics, the Centers for Disease Control, and many other clients. I’m the recipient of the 2008 Miller Brewing Company A. Philip Randolph Messenger Award/ Journalism Award of Excellence in the field of AIDS/Health, and the 2021 Glyph Comics Award for Best Story (Changa & the Jade Obelisk #1.)

I got my start as a professional writer working for the Atlanta Voice Newspaper, which laid the groundwork for my future career as a freelancer. Hustling up gigs became a staple for me throughout my freelancing career, and treating each paying opportunity as a blessing was something that’s just stuck with me. There are about a thousand plus other writers behind you who will love to take your job/gig. Folks’ stay hungry. :-) So for me, it’s been a constant focus on staying on my grind, being as professional as I can possibly be, and doing the best work that I can, while also learning as much as I can along the way.

Do your best to find those clients that will appreciate what you can bring to the table as a writer, but also be open to understanding what they’re looking for. Value your worth. As creatives, we have a tendency to doubt ourselves and question the work that we put out. Definitely be self-critical, but don’t do so to the point where you aren’t creating.

Lastly, none of this is going to happen overnight. If it does, then congratulations to ya. Be patient, even in those times where things just straight up feel horrible. Learn as much as you can, try to build your resiliency, and treat people with decency. That’s helped me to get where I am, and even now, some days are a struggle. :-)

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

To be happy with the life and creative career I leave behind when I’m gone.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish that I’d fully utilized the internet to contact some of my creative heroes before they passed.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.robertkjeffrey.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertk.jeffrey/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-jeffrey-ii-7a6416a/