As you can tell by my name, my alternative career (aka primary way of making money and sustaining 3 humans and 2 dogs) is Software Engineering (aka Code Monkeying).
Usually folks assume that you would need a Bachelors degree for it, but in actuality, I would just recommend getting an Associates and looking into certifications for AWS/Cloud Computing, Oracle or MongoDB, maybe some web development as well. Not only that but if you can swing it, you can go to different conferences to network and thus get into a job relatively easily as the technology is booming right now.
Depending on your sector, working remotely is encouraged. Hell even more conservative sectors like Finance have had to increase there remote working systems due to COVID. Defense, which may require a clearance, is a little rougher in that regard, but all the companies I have worked in, from Defense, to Start up, to Finance, offer pretty flexible hours and also a lot of perks (I know a senior manager who plays guitar in a band, have a coworker who built a classic arcade in his basement, etc). So it's not too hard to manage your time for writing and/or artwork.
Also, software design does need some level of creativity, but since there is very little in common between what I write/draw and what I code, it's pretty easy to separate the two without being burned out.
There will be some LONG days working and there are some companies and some sectors (Gaming, specifically) that I would really suggest you look at reviews before diving in.