Friday Speak Out!: The Truth About Being a Writer

Friday, November 25, 2016

by Murees Dupé

So, you want to be a writer. After all, you’ve spent a considerable amount of time imagining what it would be like having millions rave about your book. You’ve even imagined what it would be like at a book signing, where people rush to have you sign their books and for a quick chat. Of course, don’t forget the popular idea that your book could be made into a movie. Exciting times, right?

Well, I think all who aspire to be a writer fall in love with the romantic side of it. The idea of sitting in solitude and churning out one good novel after another. Having written a good book after maybe two or three drafts. The idea of getting paid to do what you love and thus, being able to retire early and write full-time.

Unfortunately, nobody is ever honest and tells you how hard it is to make that romantic aspect of writing come to life. If you love writing and having the love for writing be the most important aspect for you, then no worries. You have a good chance to make writing a career. However, if you’re looking for quick success and to become a millionaire almost instantly, well, you might have to pursue another career. There is a lot of work involved with writing. You may spend months writing a piece and after finishing, decide that it’s not good enough and you start over. There might even be times when your inner voice is quiet and you have nothing to say/write.

Writing is not for the faint hearted, or the lazy. You have to believe in yourself and your work. You have to keep writing and creating even though your critique partners think what you’ve written is utter trash. When self-doubt and negativity come knocking at your door, you have to face them and battle on. Always remember that you love writing and nothing and no one is going to stop you from letting your ideas and creativity leap unto the page.

So, you want to be a writer. Good for you. But please, know that it takes a lot of determination, hard work and patience. Some might even think those words are synonymous with torture. But that is what it truly takes. You, sitting in a chair, writing. Writing even when you don’t feel like it. Creating even though you don’t have money in your bank account. Writing even when you feel like a wanne-be writer instead of the real thing.

One thing I can assure you. Even if your back account is empty, if you love writing, you will feel happy and whole. There is a part of a writer that simply comes to life by putting words on a page. There is a freedom in writing that I’ve personally never experienced in life.

My advice? Become a writer if you dare. Good-luck.

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Murees is a South African indie author and blogger. She released her debut novel, The Amaranthine (Thelum Series), in 2015. When she is not thinking up new stories, she is spending time with her family, playing with her four-legged kids, watching TV, or overindulging on desserts. 
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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
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10 comments:

KAlan said...

Inspiring yet sobering thoughts. There is no satisfaction that can compare to having written something for the love of it... yet, writing becomes a different experience as soon as "selling" tries to water it down. Do we remain true to our own voices, or target a style that others are guaranteed to want? Without that audience, is our writing just a proverbial tree in the woods?

Thanks for your insights, which I'm sure provide good company for many.

Sioux Roslawski said...

Murees--I agree with you 100%. It's hard work, but the difficulty adds to the satisfaction. Taking a pile-of-poop draft and revising it until it doesn't stink quite so badly...well, that is satisfying.

Good luck to YOU. It sounds like you're on a marvelous path.

Margo Dill said...

Totally agree--I mean 100 percent (in case that wasn't clear). It is a love-hate relationship I think we all have with writing. I imagine most creative people are like that--but I hear what you have said here so well from so many writers. Best of luck to you!

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

My writing, like my imagination, is both a blessing and curse. :) But it's such a part of who I am, I don't know who I'd be or what I'd do without it! :)

Angela Mackintosh said...

Solid advice, Murees! Thanks for the post. :)

Julie Flanders said...

Great to see you here, Murees!! And your advice is spot-on. It's good to understand what we're getting into as writers.

Murees Dupè said...

Thank you so much for having me. Also, thank you for each and every comment. You ladies are awesome.

KAlan said...

Murees, you made me think enough about what it truly means to "achieve" when writing, that you inspired <a href="https://kalanleitchauthor.wordpress.com/2016/11/29/nano-nano-shazbot/>this post</a> as my NaNoWriMo project winds down.

KAlan said...

Sorry, everyone. I've got to watch my tags. Here is the post

Mason Canyon said...

Murees, great advice and very inspiring. As a reader, I never really understood what all it takes to be a writer until I started blogging. Now I'm in more awe of writers than ever before. Thanks to you and all the writers who inspire us readers with your words.

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