Who Wants To Be A Writer
A writer friend recently had her comment on being a writer published in a local magazine. It read - "Not everyone can become a writer so stop dreaming. There's nothing more pathetic than a writer wannabe." This statement sparked a slew of outrage, criticism and hate mail. In rehashing the drama to me, she was unapologetic about her opinion, saying that too many people are masquerading as writers these days and she is sick and tired of it.
I mulled over her statement and finally concluded that I disagree with her. Not with her sentiments about pseudo-writers but about giving up the dream of being a writer. What is a writer, really? You may love Barnes, I may adore Sheldon and someone else may idolise Murakami. Do the different preferences make any one them less of a writer? Is a writer someone who wrote a crappy book or a brilliant advertisement? Is a writer someone who says 'crepuscular lighting' or 'twilight'? Is it someone who writes fiction or non-fiction? And are haiku writers real writers?
There is a misplaced reverance for writers. They are regarded as extraordinarily gifted people, when the truth is, all that separates them form the average Joe is that they're willing to work their fingers to the bone to make their dream come true. Any literary prize winner will tell you that his or her masterpiece was 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Yet there are still people who think that being a writer means having words flow effortlessly from your fingers.
I agree with my friend that there are people who call themselves writers after having their 'Letter to the Editor' published. That's plain delusional. But there is the other group of people who dream of being a writer and who struggle day after day to put the very best of themselves on paper. If they ever stopped dreaming it would be a huge loss to the literary world. For all you know, Rowling and Tolkein could have been among those dreamers! In fact, no one should ever kill their dreams for fear of being a 'wannabe'. Because if writing comes from the heart, then all of us have what it takes to be a writer.
I mulled over her statement and finally concluded that I disagree with her. Not with her sentiments about pseudo-writers but about giving up the dream of being a writer. What is a writer, really? You may love Barnes, I may adore Sheldon and someone else may idolise Murakami. Do the different preferences make any one them less of a writer? Is a writer someone who wrote a crappy book or a brilliant advertisement? Is a writer someone who says 'crepuscular lighting' or 'twilight'? Is it someone who writes fiction or non-fiction? And are haiku writers real writers?
There is a misplaced reverance for writers. They are regarded as extraordinarily gifted people, when the truth is, all that separates them form the average Joe is that they're willing to work their fingers to the bone to make their dream come true. Any literary prize winner will tell you that his or her masterpiece was 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Yet there are still people who think that being a writer means having words flow effortlessly from your fingers.
I agree with my friend that there are people who call themselves writers after having their 'Letter to the Editor' published. That's plain delusional. But there is the other group of people who dream of being a writer and who struggle day after day to put the very best of themselves on paper. If they ever stopped dreaming it would be a huge loss to the literary world. For all you know, Rowling and Tolkein could have been among those dreamers! In fact, no one should ever kill their dreams for fear of being a 'wannabe'. Because if writing comes from the heart, then all of us have what it takes to be a writer.
posted by starlight at 1:28 AM
5 Comments:
Absolutely true.
The mean spiteful people who spit out words like these have their own insecurity problems. Only the generous-hearted need apply as wriing buddies.
Thank you Hari and Sharon. I'm really glad you agree. It's tough enough being judged by readers and publishers to be judged by our fellow writers as well!
Thank you a-a! I repeated this comment to a journalist-turned-publisher and he agreed wholeheartedly. He says 'writers' used to refer to journalists and authors but has been misused and abused in recent years, especially 'authors' who hire ghostwriters to do their 'dirty work' and then take full credit for the work.
hi little ms d! thanks for dropping by. yup, writing can be a lot of heartache, but once in a while you turn around and say, "hey, i think that was quite all right." and those are the moments that keep you moving on.
by the way, wishes do come true...as long as you never give up! :)
hi there...i've just stumbled unto your blog from sharon's (was attracted by your nick and blogname).
i agree with you. everyone can harbour a dream and have a story that's germinating inside. we should all encourage its flowering.
i agree also with your friend's sentiment on people who masquerade as writers...or as i would put it, declare themselves as writers despite the obvious (in the perspective of an unbiased third party).
there are many young, self-declared writers who are incredibly stubbornly defensive in the face of constructive criticism. that's where my support is lost.
as for me, my childhood aspiration to write (simply just that)is for now chanelled into my blog. it's an exercise in discipline, and just to keep the gears running. :)
baby steps for me.
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