Unglamorous writing confessions

Being a writer, published or otherwise, is amazing. Writers are world builders, character creators, storytellers, daydreamers! We live in a haze of ideas and inspiration and intrigue. But let’s be honest, despite the perfect writing environment non-writers may think we live in, there are plenty of unglamorous times.

That’s right. It’s not all tidy desks and cosy coffee shops. There’s all this too:

Writers don’t write as often as they want to
Let’s be honest here, life just doesn’t work that way. Life gets in the way of writing all the time. And let’s be even more honest…there are definitely times when we could write, but the temptation to nap or catch up on our favourite TV show takes over.

Writers aren’t full of interesting party conversation
You’d think that saying, ‘I’m a writer, don’t you know?’ would be a killer icebreaker at a party, leading into long witty discussions about the trials and triumphs of writing. But no. It’s not. Unless you’re at a party of writers, it’s possible nobody cares, or at the very least, nobody understands. Besides a lot of us are far too anxious and awkward for the world of parties and conversations anyway.

Writers get stressed and frustrated
Light bulb moments, and exciting inspirational sparks, don’t happen as often as the doubt. Or the block, or the slump, or the lack of motivation. In fact a big part of being a writer involves frustration and rejection and stress.

Writing the end is never really the end
When you first set out to a write a book, the goal of reaching ‘the end’ is so big it’s easy to forget that…the end is just the beginning. That’s not to belittle the accomplishment – it’s a huge deal to finish a first draft! But it is just that…a first draft. And following that comes more drafts and editing and rewriting and editing….and editing and editing…

Having a finished book does not guarantee publishing success
When I say I’ve written a book, people ask ‘so when is it being published?’ As if a finished book means instant publication. But that’s not how it works. There’s pitching and querying, rejection, chasing agents, chasing publishers…100% NOT as easy at it may seem.

So is this post here to discourage anyone from writing? No way! It’s to remind all writers out there how much they go through and put up with…and yet do it all anyway. The determination in the writer is strong, and that’s why even the unglamorous is an important part of the journey. 

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Share some unglamorous writing confessions of your own in the comments below.

Until then,
Keep writing,
M
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