Relax, we’re not talking Occupy Wall Street here, but we are focusing on Occupy Desk Chair.
According to statistics I’ve pulled out from underneath my cat, 99 percent of people who attempt professional writing will fail. Why? Because it’s one thing to say, “Oh yes, I want to be a writer.” It’s another to apply your butt to the chair day in and day out, writing articles so you can keep the lights on while working on that amazing novel in your spare (ha!) time.
While you toil away at the keyboard, nursing carpal tunnel syndrome and perhaps a scotch and water, you often do so without the support of family and friends.
If you write for trade magazines, you hear: “Why aren’t your articles in Reader’s Digest?”
If you write for Reader’s Digest, you hear: “Why don’t you write books?”
If you write books, you hear: “Why do you write books no one’s ever heard of?”
This is what I’ve always considered “pointy-haired boss” thinking, because of the clueless employer in Dilbert who believes that if he doesn’t know how to do something, it must be easy. It’s an attitude that can seep into a writer’s brain and cause that writer to quit. Because writing and succeeding isn’t easy. It’s hard work.
That’s the difference. One percent of writers don’t give up. Sure, they may slurp NyQuil at ten in the morning and meet the FedEx guy at the door while wearing only a pencil in their hair. But they don’t quit. They pat the naysayer on the head, mutter “She means well,” then kill her off gruesomely in a short story that, if they are lucky, will be accepted by an anthology and will net enough cash to stock up the pantry with Ho-Hos and beef jerky for a few weeks.
Be part of that one percent. Don’t give up. Don’t quit when it gets difficult. With every rejection, you learn. With every project that flames out, you gain experience. With every acceptance, you shine. You’re not going to “make it” in writing, you’re just going to level up to bigger clients, bigger deadlines and bigger muse rebellions.
When you achieve the next level, help someone who hasn’t made it as far as you, because you never know when someone will return the favor. That is karma’s price of admission to the one percent club.
Are you ready to quit? Are you leveling up? Share in the comments!
Photo credit: Flickr.com/Michael Hirst
9 comments:
Geez, how do you always know the exact wrong thing to say? Now I have to get busy! *thanksineededthat*
Brilliant, and a great kick to take inventory. Membership in the 1% club doesn't just arrive in the mailbox for most of us; we have to scratch, claw and fight for it, even if most of the fighting is done with ourselves. I hear a lot of comments about being a writer, like we all have. "I've been meaning to get a book published" is one of my favorites made by a person in a neighboring seat on the all-night flight across the country. I love how that always comes out as if it's the same as remembering to pick up eggs on the way home from work. With others, I'm asked things like, "Yeah, but what do you do for a living?" or "Are you ever going to get a real job?" or, my personal favorite, "Why did you go to college if you're not going to use your degree?"
*sigh*
It can be a lonely road, sometimes. I'm thankful I have friends like you and Amy and everyone else I've been lucky enough to meet over the years who can really commiserate.
You rock, Beth. Fer Srsly.
Amy, it's a gift. Now get busy! *cracks whip*
Carole, if we stick together, maybe they'll put us all in one big padded room. But it has to have wi-fi and outlets. ;)
Brilliant. That is all :)
Great post, Beth. :)
I'm have a crisis of writing faith at the moment, so posts like these help. :)
Adam
Thanks, Bug! Adam, I probably shouldn't say this on the Internet since it's permanent and all, but you're a terrifically talented writer, and I would give someone else's fake arm to write fiction like you. So there. Keep going, keep writing, you're great!
Bah.
(Thanks)
Adam
Great post, and so very true!
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
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