There are as many myths about who writers are as people as there are about the process of writing. It’s sort of amazing the popularly held beliefs about who writers are. Below are some of the top myths about writers. To read the Myths of Writing, read part 1 of this series. Part III and IV will follow this blog.
Warning: This list may get a bit personal as I’ve had each of these “myths” lobbied at me at some point in my career.
These are commonly held beliefs about writers:
Myth: Writers are selfish.
I’ve actually had people tell me that writing and reading were both selfish activities, especially as a mother. The implication was that I was neglecting my family when I took time to write and read. It happened so often I was astounded. I have, and will always, fight against this sentiment. There is nothing wrong with pursuing a dream and nothing in that act that equates to neglect. Other people have hobbies and pursuits outside of work and family. Are they at fault too? Should a mother do nothing but mother? It’s nonsense. Writers are no different from any working mother and readers are the same as mothers who knit or do karate. Sure, there might be times when I will hold up my hand to stop someone speaking to me when I am writing and times I may disappear to my office to capture an idea, but that is rare and not limited to family. Plus I think it is important for my son to see that I work too and that I have passion for something. I want him to recognize that passion and respect it in others and foster it in himself. I am proud to say he’s a reader and writer too now.
Myth: Writers are alcoholics.
This one is huge. Even my grandmother asked me to stop writing so I wouldn’t end up a drunk. I’m not sure where this comes from, except perhaps Hemingway? Sure, there have been famous authors who drank a lot. But not all of them. It takes a clear head to have a successful writing career. Even Hemingway said “write drunk, edit sober.” And while I’d argue you do not have to be drunk to write, I am bolstered by the fact he recognized alcohol and writing a coherent book don’t go together. I feel comfortable saying writing is not the issue with this myth.
Myth: Writers are weird.
Okay. So maybe we are. But not all writers are eccentric and odd. It’s like any creative profession—it attracts some people who are different. But you will find that in many professions, not just writing. (Okay, maybe not among CPAs and lawyers, but certainly among other professions.) In the end, who cares? We are all individuals and fall somewhere on the spectrum between eccentric and staid. I wouldn’t call all writers weird. Some? Sure. I’ll give you that. I’ve heard that comment a lot in my life.
Myth: Writers are loners.
This one is tough. I am an introvert and prefer my solitary life. Writing is perfect for me. I love the hours spent alone crafting sentences. But I’ve met writers who love being in the middle of things and who are extroverted. I don’t think you need to be a Salinger-level hermit to write well, but you do need to be able to face the blank page alone and stay there long enough to finish a book. Writing does require spending a lot of time alone. Marketing the book is another matter. That’s when the extroverts thrive. It takes both kinds to make it work.
Myth: Writers are depressed.
Like any group, there are some who are depressed and others who are not. You cannot label all writers depressed any more than you can say all lawyers are rude. Some are. Many are not. It depends on the person. That’s the problem with assigning attributes to any group. The label will never be accurate or kind to all. Stereotypes are eschewed for a reason.
Myth: Writers are controlled by their characters.
This makes it sound like writers are like Pinocchio—a puppet of their creation. This is not the case. While characters do make themselves known, they are not in control of the writer. Getting to know your characters may change the story—take it down a different path—but that is different from having them rule the writer. If this is the case, if characters are telling you what to do, please see a mental health professional. That is not healthy.
Myth: Writers are liars.
Yes, we make things up. It’s what we do. On the page. That does not make us liars in real life. If we are telling a story, we may take poetic license to make it better, but that is more of an occupational hazard than a character trait. Adding flair to a story is different than lying to the people in your life. It’s time to separate the art from the artist.
Myth: Writers are poor.
Some are. Okay, many are. Writing doesn’t pay well for most who pursue it. There are notable exceptions (JK Rowling, Stephen King, James Patterson), but they are exceptions. This does not mean writers need random job opportunities thrust at us at every juncture. I have a relative who cannot stop doing this despite my assurances I have a job. I supplement my fiction writing with more writing. I write for clients and corporations, where I can make a decent living doing what I love. Writers do not need your pity. If you want to help them find legitimate leads for writing assignments, great. Have an agent connection? Please share. Otherwise, forget your non-related, random jobs offers.
Next week we’ll look at Mythic Obstacles and Annoyances when it comes to writing.