Visible crew/equipment: In the scene where Jack is in the Wonder Wheel, you can see hands pushing the wheel along.
Visible crew/equipment: During the wonder wheel scene when Richard Pryor goes to the left into the column and then on the way back to the right, a hand appears reaching out to the wonder wheel on the right side of the screen for a couple frames then disappears. (00:18:56)
Answer: Because writing isn't a real job with a regular paycheck. Jack hasn't paid his mortgage in 6 months, so he's not making a living as a writer. So when Jack replies he has a job as a writer, Stanley is saying Jack is using that idea as an excuse not to work a regular job.
Bishop73