The Realities of Being a Writer

Being a writer is far from a life of luxury and fame for most people. There are a lot more Bob Younces out there than there are Stephen Kings. This doesn't mean that the life of being a writer is a bad one; far from it. However, there are several realities that you should be aware of if you are considering a career as a writer:

1. Most writers don't make it big. The odds are against you being rich and famous because of your writing. Even if you're really good at what you do, you might only achieve fame in certain circles. While Ed Greenwood is my favorite fantasy author, the name probably means little to most readers. The reality of being a writer is that, generally speaking, you will live in anonymity like most other folks.

2. Writers work as hard, if not harder, than people in other professions. Many writers put in 60-hour work weeks just to make ends meet, especially when they are first starting out. The idea that you are going to be able to seclude yourself in a wooded cabin for a month while you finish a novel is probably not going to be a reality. The reality of being a writer is that writing is, for most folks, a full-time job.

3. Writing has its tedious and boring tasks. Sometimes, you have to write on topics you aren't interested in. Many times, you will be little more than a "pen for hire." The reality of being a writer is that you don't always get to pick and choose what you are going to be writing about.

4. Writers face a great deal of rejection. For the most part, you can expect that your best writing work is often going to be rejected. This is especially true if you are a fiction writer, but it is also true if you write in other areas such as web content. There are times you will pour your heart and soul into an article, novel, short story or web page, only to have it ignored or even lampooned. The reality of being a writer is that not everyone appreciates the work that you do. 5. Writing is one of the most rewarding professions you can choose. It is difficult to place a value on the flexibility that you gain from being able to set your own hours. While there will be deadlines that you have to meet, writing can be one of most stress-free careers, as well. On top of all of this, being a writer allows you to give expression to your thoughts, ideas, and creativity through your work on a daily basis. The reality of being a writer is that there is no career that is more fulfilling.