Did Charles Dickens earn his living through writing only?

Answer 1

Certainly. His first works were probably motivated by his fundamental need to write and express himself to others. But he was always paid for his writing. And let us not forget that Dickens had ten children to provide for. Later in his life, when he separated from his wife, he also had to support at least two households (and possibly three), in addition to supporting his parents and various unemployed sons. So his need for money was a constant in his life. Only he could tell us which motivated him more, money or ego, but Dickens always was an extroverted, articulate, and intensely public man and loved such attention as his works brought him.

Answer 2

Yes, for the most part he did. As a child he worked for a few months in a blacking factory, a period he was so ashamed of that he didn't even tell his wife or closest friend until shortly before his death. After that time, he went to school for a while, then was apprenticed as a solicitor's clerk, where he taught himself the difficult form of court shorthand. During that time, however, he began writing stories and submitting them to newspapers and journals, and quickly became able to support himself on his writings.

Answer 3

He landed an acting audition at Covent Garden London. He prepared meticulously for it but he missed because of a cold, ending his aspirations for a career on the stage. He become a political journalist, reporting on parliamentary debate and travelling across Britain to cover election campaigns for the Londons Morning Chronicle. He wrote main reports in the form of sketches and under the name "Boz".

Answer 4

No, Charles Dickens earned his living through writing and also through public readings of his works. He was a successful author and his novels were serialized in magazines, bringing him financial success during his lifetime.