Something I’ve realized over the last…how long have I been writing novels? Three years? Whatever. I realized that the whole “being a writer” thing isn’t what most people think it is.
Saying that to you guys is probably a DUH moment. If anyone gets it, it’s you. Still… I read some pretty awful stuff on the whole “being a writer” thing when I first started, and I’d like to have my voice out there on the subject. Think of this as my response to those shouting for new writers to just give up…
When I first started writing that very first novel (we’re only counting my adult years here, not the atrociousness I wrote as a child), I had this glamorous idea of what becoming a writer meant. There was this image in my head of how the system worked. You get a brilliant idea, you write it all down, make your own little sketches of your world and characters, and the brilliance of it all never fades.
Ha. I was delusional. Or mislead…or both.
So, for any writers out there just stepping into the arena, I’m here to tell you: Writing is hard. It takes more hours than I care to count to just write a novel, not to mention revise it, edit it, polish it, forming critique groups, etc. Writing well is even harder. And, well, the gigantic hurdle we call publishing…that one is the hardest.
Sometimes I look around and wonder what the hell I’m doing. I mean, I spend so very much time pursuing this dream, this goal, that I fear I’m letting it overtake where it shouldn’t. I’ve talked about that before — the fear of wasting my time. I don’t believe I am, I’m just saying the fear is there. It doesn’t go away. If anything the fear grows the longer I’m at this — the more time I spend away from Super Spawn buried in a manuscript.
Being a writer isn’t glamorous. It’s a lot of very hard work that will sometimes make you want to pull your hair out and scream. There are all sorts of fears that come with the territory, and they don’t go poof with publication either. But if this is something you love, if this is something that makes you happy, then don’t let anything hold you back.
All it means to be a writer is that you love to sit down and pen stories to the page. It’s not a guarantee that it will be easy, and it’s not a guarantee that you’ll love every moment of it. One thing you can be sure of as a writer though is that there is the most wonderful sense of community out there. So very many people feel the same way, go through the same emotions.
It has been said that being a writer is the loneliest work, but I beg to disagree. I have made some of my very, very best friends through my writing. I wouldn’t trade a moment of my journey for anything. Every step, every hurdle, every fall helps you grow.
As long as you love it, keep writing.
Speaking of friends…I also have a new review for you from the SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY ARC Tour!!
From Alicia at Slice of the Blog Pie: “There are a lot of things I like about this book: the amazing detail from the Victorian era Philly to the tightness of the prose. “ (Click through to read more.)
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012, 9:12 am | 
Susan Dennard, why I write, Writing | 
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April 18, 2012 at 9:40 am
This is a really good post, Holly. Lately, I’ve been feeling the same thing–”that I fear I’m letting it overtake where it shouldn’t”. Because I am. I worry so much about the next book, the blog-writing, the self-promotion, and the next book after that, that I’m not doing anything in my life BUT writing. And let’s not even get started on the self-doubt. Now that my book is out there in the world, I’ve never doubted myself more (people are so VOCAL about stuff they hate! And not only are they more than willing to give you their negative opinion, they are so MEAN about it. I think the internet has given people an anonymity that gives them courage to say things they would NEVER say to my face.).
Anyway, the whole point of my long rambling comment was to say: yes. It’s not lonely work, and I wouldn’t be able to get through each day without my writer friends. And I DO love writing, so despite the fear and the stress, I have to create anyway.
I also need to find some balance in my life before my husband gets fed up with doing all the cooking and leaves me.
April 18, 2012 at 9:49 am
Balance is the very hardest part of writing, I think. For all of us. When we’re writing we’re feeling guilty about taking time from loved-ones, and when we’re spending time with loved-ones (or heaven forbid taking time for ourselves) we feel guilty for not writing. It’s vicious.
And I very much agree with you about the internet making people be plain mean. That’s honestly what scares me most about pursuing publication!
April 18, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Such an awesome post, Holly. And truthful. I constantly ask myself: “Am I crazy to keep doing this?” But then I realize that if I’d feel crazy if I DIDN’T write.
April 19, 2012 at 10:00 am
Thanks, Pam.
I’d be a total lunatic if I didn’t write. lol So I know what you mean.
April 18, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Great post. I totally agree. Writing IS hard, but worth it if you love it (which I do!) I’m working on my first book and I’ve had to push past the fears and doubts when it’s gotten hard. The YA writing community is awesome and I don’t know how I’d do this without it!
April 19, 2012 at 9:59 am
Thanks, Ghenet.
And I don’t know what I’d do without the YA community either. There are some really great people out there.
April 19, 2012 at 10:56 am
I second your thoughts Holly, and those in the comments, too. I think the most important characteristics for a writer are persistence and hard work. You have these in spades.
It is frustrating at times– the highs are high and the lows are like Oceanic-trench-level-low. Can you imagine what it would be like before there was a community accessible by the interwebs? I shudder to think!
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May 23, 2012 at 9:07 am