It is often quoted that “Most people don’t want to write, they want to have written.” I am certain that many people do not want to write, but want to be thought of as a writer, an author or an intellectual.
If you want to write, there are seven realities which you must face.
Most people who write, and others who want to write, hate to be told what they should and should not do. But, for a writer who doesn’t face reality – there are consequences.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Reality #1: You Have to Eat
There are many writers who live by Erasmus’ dictum, “When I get a little money, I buy books. If there is any left, I buy food.” And while this is a quaint quote to place upon your wall, you have to eat.
The notion of the starving artist should have starved long ago. It is the 21st century, artists must learn their craft as well as their business. It is irresponsible not to learn both.
TheCopywrighter.com is a blog that is dedicated to both writers and entrepreneurs. Vistit again, visit often. Because every writer has to eat to live.
Reality #2: You Must Read
While I have met poets who claim never to read, I am always amazed each and every time. If you want to be read by others, you must understand what makes you want to read. What makes you turn the page? And, what makes you set the book down?
The tricky part is – balance. A writer can fall so far in love with books that she falls out of love with reality. A strong writer should be 1. an avid reader, 2. a keen observer, 3. a natural eavesdropper. One should strive for all three, but absolutely must have at least two of the fore mentioned qualities.
Reality #3: You Must Write – Daily
Writers cannot wait for inspiration. However, one will find if they posses the three qualities mentioned in the second reality (reading, observing, listening), they will have more than enough inspiration to write every day.
Modern writers must beware of the 21st century trap of social networking sites. While I am the largest advocate for social networking; one must not mistake blogging everyday for writing everyday if one is trying to write a novel (unless of course it is an epistolary novel written in the vain of The Perks of Being a Wallflower).
Blogging, Facebook and Twitter are excellent media for writers to gain an audience. But, a writer must still write! And, since a writer must eat (Reality #1) , you might as well visit thecopywrighter.com again to determine how you can profit off of your social-networking-habit.
Reality #4: You Must Sacrifice
I would recommend a lovely book by Hugh MacLeod entitled Ignore Everybody: And 39 Other Keys to Creativity. MacLeod discusses how, “the most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the read line that separates what you are willing to do from what you are not.”
Every writer must sacrifice. The question is, what are you willing to give up? How fast can you read – what are you willing to give up so that you have reading time? How fast can you write – what are you willing to give up so that you have writing time? How much loneliness can you stand – how social can you be and still be productive? Does your spouse/children/parents support your writing life, or do you have to write in spite of your domestic life? Is writing something that you would have to hide from your boss and coworkers?
What are you willing to sacrifice?
Reality #5: You Must Face Fear
After you’ve figured out how you are going to pay your bills, after you carved out enough time for reading and writing, and after you’ve determined what you can give up in order to write and read daily; you still must face what Steven Pressfield calls Resistance in his book, The War of Art.
Even if you have quit your job and decided to work full time (which I do not recommend under normal circumstances…), you will still have to face the fear of the empty page. Having all the time in the world does not make you more productive. Often, it will make you less productive.
Beware. The more time you on your hands, the more time you have to procrastinate.
Face your fears: write.
Reality #6: You Must Find Love
Sometimes writers have a notion of the solitary writer, who has a cabin in the woods (with an internet connection, of course) who alone drums out book after book on a legal pad or typewriter without any other contact with the outside world. This notion, along with the starving artist, needs to starve.
All writers must find love. Perhaps you are not married, perhaps you have not found a significant other, but you must always have someone in the world outside of the characters you created, who you trust.
Writers create entire careers off of what is inside their own heads. You must have someone in your life who loves you enough to bring you out of it.
Reality #7: Words Won’t Buy You Love
Most writers write for attention. Often, writers write because they feel misunderstood and if only they could pen the perfect phrase, or set the perfect scenario, they would be loved, or at least understood.
This may not be true. Some writers are viewed as traitors and sell-outs. Other writers are disowned by their family or their own race. Your printed words may not be the thing that frees you. Only love can free you.
All writers must face reality number six and resist using their craft to get them love. Because simply, the very fan base that loves you when you write love poetry or protest literature may hate you when you write a memoir or a selection a bit closer to home.
Still here?
Well, after facing reality, if you still think you would like to write, visit thecopywrighter.com and we will discuss the ins and outs of writing and the strategies for running your own business.
