Achieving financial success through the practice of your creative passion is an exciting affirmation of your artistry. But success can come with a host of challenges and intricacies. The way writers, artists and other creators earn their living is rarely as straightforward as the career path of a salaried professional, including entrepreneurs and business owners.

A successful author, for instance, might get part of their advance when they sell their book proposal and the balance a year later, or whenever the completed manuscript is accepted. Assuming the book sells well enough to pay royalties, the author might not see those payments for another six months or a year — or however long it takes to earn out the advance. Entertainers often have slightly different, but also episodic, earning patterns, with paydays followed by long dry spells and unpredictable royalties, residuals or performance revenues.

These financial ups and downs can undermine the creative process and be all too easy to overlook. But for artists and creators, “harnessing success when you have it is crucial to building the security you need to practice your craft on your own terms, both now and in the future,” says Greg McGauley, head of Merrill’s Sports & Entertainment Group, which specializes in working with writers, artists, creators, athletes and entertainers in addressing their particular financial needs. The group’s deep experience advising those with nontraditional earnings and financial needs means they can help you craft a plan tailored to you.

“Financial advisors can help creative professionals in several key areas,” McGauley says. These include:

Cash flow and liquidity

Unpredictable earnings or large paydays followed by long periods without any income mean you have to thoughtfully address your day-to-day spending needs during fallow periods. A financial advisor can help you create an intentional plan that addresses short-term needs for cash as well as long-term goals. Saving, investing and even borrowing can be part of the conversation.

Retirement planning

Planning early for a hard-to-imagine future might feel tough to prioritize when you’re just starting out or are mid-career and keenly focused on your passion. But taking advantage of early paydays to protect your future doesn’t mean postponing all fun or present-day practicalities. “An advisor who understands the ins and outs of an artistic or creative career can help you develop a financial roadmap that takes account of all of your goals, including an occasional indulgence,” says McGauley.

Financial and investing education

“A core part of a financial advisor’s role is helping clients clearly understand both the opportunities and the risks within an investment strategy,” says McGauley. “At Merrill, we have access to a broad range of investment options, and clients value the time we spend reviewing them together — connecting what’s appropriate for their specific goals and helping them make informed, confident decisions.”

While there are countless ways to make a living, we all share certain aspirations, such as taking care of loved ones, enjoying our success in the present, building financial security for the future and giving back to the community. Achieving those goals while pursuing a career as a writer, artist or creative professional isn’t always easy. But finding a financial advisor who takes the time to understand the specific needs and desires that drive you, and who has experience with creative professionals like you, can be an important part of the journey.