Writing

9 Hard Truths About Being a Writer

Develop resolve, commitment, and guts to survive the realities of the profession

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” — Richard Bach

Whether you’re considering the profession or in the midst of a passionate embrace with your muse, there are certain undeniable facts about writing that eventually make themselves known. Like pockets of desperate air released from the seabed, these truth bubbles float toward the calm surface, ultimately bursting with the pressure of reality.

For most of us, the unavoidable hurdles don’t matter

Because we’re committed, compelled, and fueled by inspiration. Writing is in our blood, and we won’t — can’t — give up on our dream. Even if we attempt to push aside those stories which must be known and seen and read, I think our heads would explode from the effort of trying to hold them back. Because the suggestion of keeping our thoughts and ideas to ourselves is unthinkable — even inhumane.

In an article by Joe Bunting in The Write Practice, he offers a common viewpoint about the profession:

“Depending on who you listen to, becoming a writer is either the easiest thing in the world or a proposition so impossibly difficult that only a combination of talent approaching genius, luck, and years of expensive training can turn your writerly dream into reality.”

For most of us, the release of our thoughts, ideas, and emotions through the written word is tantamount to a burst of adrenaline. And when we finally finish a piece we’re ready to share, a rush of endorphins fills our brains with the assurance — and confidence — that we’ve done our best.

Without regret and in full acceptance of the potential consequences of exposing the truth, here are my top 9 undeniable truths that come with the responsibilities — and privilege — of being a writer.

1. Self-doubt is a constant companion

Even as I write these words, the tingly fingers of doubt are gently caressing my emotions.

In truth, it’s rare that I’ll release a story into the world without a little internal discourse debating all the reasons I should hold back and wait until I’m more confident about the message. Or worse, become engaged in a mental shouting match touting the merits of why I won’t change my opinion to suit another’s expectations. Overcoming our demons is a challenge we all eventually face — a battle of conscience over which we must prevail in order to express ourselves without regret.

2. Restless nights are a given

If you’re already a light sleeper or one of the chosen few who only require a few hours of nocturnal bliss to function, you could be a good candidate for writing.

For the rest of us, we often cringe at the thought of closing our computers, laying our heads on a soft pillow, and pulling a comfy cover to our chins, indicating day is done. Because we know in just a few hours, our brain will be tapping away on a virtual keyboard — with or without us — relentless in its pursuit to create, develop, and craft intriguing tales despite the hour, or the need for rest.

3. Your weaknesses and fears will be revealed

Be prepared for full exposure, because there’s really no way around this fact.

Ask yourself this question: Why do I want to write? Hidden in all the usual reasons for pursing such a noble profession lay the reality of the written word: It’s personal. And that means your values, beliefs, and principles — your very heart and soul — will be laid open and exposed. And you’ll likely end up with more than a few bruises, cuts, and burns.

Handy hint: Keep an emotional first aid kit handy, stocked with confidence, courage, and tenacity to provide you with brief moments of joy and pleasure. Because they’re few and far between — and you’ll definitely need some healing time between projects.

4. Withholding judgment is impossible

If you truly believe you are an open, impartial, tolerant, non-judgmental person, your whole paradigm is about to come crashing down. Sure, there may be a few examples of the existence of such hallowed, self-less beings, for example, Gandhi and Mother Theresa.

But let’s get real — the rest of us have a few blind spots to deal with.

And our vision may not clear up in the near future, unless we’re willing to face the uncomfortable prejudices keeping our best work in check. So accept and deal with the facts — you will write, you will judge, you will be known for your opinions. Because without truthful writing, you really have nothing to say — or offer.

5. You’ll discover how much you really don’t know

Whether you write fiction, non-fiction, editorials, op-eds, or any of the myriad types of prose, the process of qualifying your opinion through research will be front and center most of the time. Because at some point, you’ll reluctantly discover your base of knowledge is very limited. And that’s when the deep work begins.

Fair warning : Culling the truth from the avalanche of alleged wisdom will test even the most stalwart.

With practice, you’ll learn to be diligent, focused, and honest — even if you don’t like what you find. The bottom line is your continuing education is on-going. And sometimes, the information you discover may offer a different slant or perspective than you had in mind — and provide you with the opportunity to make a few adjustments in your thought process or viewpoint.

6. You’ll spend more time thinking about writing than creating

Here’s a shocker: Actually writing your story may not come into play until you’ve been wrestling with the concept for a while. The reality is the process of writing a quality piece doesn’t come easily, despite the myth that the ability to pen the perfect article requires no more than wishing it were so.

I know many of you are shaking your heads in disagreement or possibly disbelief, imagining yourselves to be masters of the written word, ruling over a kingdom of letters, phrases, and concepts that fall into formation at the snap of a finger. Sorry, not buying it.

Thoughts, questions, ideas, opinions, confusion, discovery, and clarity come first. The writing starts when you have a basis of congruency and direction. Because the horse will not push the cart — no matter how much you beg.

7. Your patience will be constantly challenged

If you’re easily dissuaded from conflict or tend to have a short fuse, you may want to consider another profession. Because neither of these behaviors will find a home in your writing career.

The limits of your patience will be tested on a daily basis. How? Dedicating enough time to develop a piece to your own satisfaction and to meet the expectations of a waiting audience requires constant review and editing. Without diligence and commitment, your work may suggest a lack of consistency — resulting in a less-than-desirable outcome.

Be mindful of premature release

Because allowing your restless ego to convince you to cut corners in your narrative may send the wrong message. Without incorporating the underlying facts, details, and nuances that bring originality and luster to your work, you may be doing a disservice to yourself. Taking time with the creative process is a crucial part of the process to allow your personality to lift off the page.

8. Staying true to yourself is the ultimate test

Waiting for a response from editors, publishers, beta readers, reviewers, and all those outside eyes you couldn’t wait to send your story to can be a dismal, anxious state of existence. And when rejections and critiques start pouring in, an overwhelming negative cloud can gather over your previously confident attitude.

This absence of joyful acknowledgment often creates self-doubt — and a knee-jerk reaction that your work is crap. And you may begin to wonder if you should rethink things and start all over again, perhaps with another angle, or source, or perspective — maybe even someone else’s.

And here’s where the truth comes out — the critical juncture that determines who you really are.

Because a decision to change course and stray from your message is a questionable approach to consider if your goal is to write what you know — and what you want others to understand about you.

Take heed: In the event you do receive flowery accolades, overly-effusive feedback, and empty words of praise you inherently know are not well-deserved, your inflated confidence may ultimately cave and scatter like a house of cards in the wind.

If you’re offered such rhetoric, consider these options: You could choose to accept the words of false prophets as viable opinion, despite the sinking feeling in your soul. Or you can dust off the dirt of hollow tributes and remain true to your personal writing direction. Because eventually, those who appreciate your work will find you. And if you’re lucky, they’ll hang around for more.

9. You can’t ignore the call to write

Like our biological instinct to survive, writing has the power to take over your life — and many sacrifices and compromises will be made in your pursuit of perfection.

And while your personal priorities may change, adjust, or take on new shape and form, your continuing evolution as a person and a writer brings more than a sense of fulfillment. As you turn new corners and leave old roads behind, your journey will likely result in more stories to tell.

Regardless of the inevitable ebb-and-flow of your dreams and goals, writing will always reflect your inner conscience — at any given moment in your life. And in the end, there’s no denying the truth: There’s nothing else you’d rather do.

Final Thoughts

Accountability for your thoughts, authenticity of voice, and congruency of content — all responsibilities that form the foundation of a writer’s life.

Acknowledging the personal by-product of the written word is an underlying code shared by those of us who have struggled, crawled, and bush-whacked our way through the wordsmith jungle to produce work we’re proud of — despite the cost of entry.

Still think you want to be a writer?

The best advice I can offer is to leave your ego and indecision behind and consider whether you have the resolve, commitment, and guts to survive the truths and realities of the profession.

Or at the very least, invest in a heavy coat of armor and quiver of flaming arrows — because you’re going to need them.

© 2021 Jill Reid. All Rights Reserved.

Jill Reid is the author of Real Life and Discover Your Personal Truth.

Jill Reid is the founder of Pathway to Personal Growth and author of Real Life and Discover Your Personal Truth. Her books and articles explore life, happiness, relationships, health, and personal success strategies.