Why I Write: Ann Powers Reflects on Writing About Rock (from National Writing Project)

It’s tough these days. Not a lot of decently paying work out there. But hell, try it. Just don’t only do that. You’ll be a much better writer if you explore many different styles: study poetry and philosophy, do some hard reporting, learn multimedia. There are some good masters programs out there now in arts journalism that give you a spectrum of skills. I think those are worth looking into.

Or go work on an organic farm for a year, moonlight as a DJ, occupy Wall Street. Keep doing the music writing one way or another as you move through life. If it becomes a serious thing, great; if not, it will have still changed you somehow.