My most-asked question, from students and others, is: "Can I make a living from writing?"
My answer is always YES. However it comes with a rider. You can make a fine living IF you can take the reins into your own hands and commit to marketing your work and services consistently.
Marketing is a MUST. No one knows you, or knows what you can do, until you tell them. You need to keep putting the word out. Think about how much advertising and promotion large corporations do. They promote week after week, month after month. They know that not to promote is the kiss of death.
I also explain that YOU CAN'T STOP. You need to keep making contacts, and keep sending your work out into the market. If you're just starting out, it will take around three months for you to get steady, ongoing work.