5 Harsh Realities for Writers

What do you mean, there are harsh realites for writers? You have a clear image of your future writing life. You’re sitting at a desk in a bungalow. You look out at the ocean waves lapping at the shore as your fingers type out your next bestseller. The old nine-to-five grind is a distant memory. Enjoying the peace and create is your daily life.

Guess what? Your writing dream is a complete fantasy. You have about as good of a chance winning the lotto than this version of your writing dream coming true. All you have to do is think of the names of the most popular authors out there. Compare that number to the number of people out there writing, even just the ones published. The odds aren’t in anyone’s favor.

But that doesn’t mean you should give up on your dreams. But you need to be prepared for the pitfalls so you can push past them.

The Struggles of a Writer

Being a writer is tougher than most people think. You deal with rejection all the time, and there’s so much competition out there. And for most of us, writing doesn’t pay the bills by itself. Plus, it’s a pretty lonely gig. There’s never any guarantee that your work will be successful or that you’ll be able to keep it up in the long run. And don’t get me started on all the people out there just waiting to tear apart all your hard work. But if you’re passionate about writing, and know the difficulties you can expect, it’s an exciting and fulfilling profession.

5 Harsh Realities for Writers. Brace for Impact!

So, what’s the worst that you can expect. Here are the 5 harsh realities that you need to understand if you really want to be a consistant, successful, and happy author.

Harsh Reality # 1: Isolation

Like the old song says, “One is the lonliest number.” You will be spending a lot of time by yourself. Even if you have family, loved ones to keep you company, they shouldn’t be around while you write. At the moment, I’m upstairs in my office while my husband watches TV downstairs (I think I hear one of the Star Wars series playing). But he knows that I’m writing. After 25 years, he’s learned to give me the time I need.

So, if you’re an introvert, rock on, this must be a dream. But you’ll need to remind yourself to come out of your own world every so often. If you don’t interact with reality, your writing will become stale. Plus, as much as we might disagree (yes, I’m and introvert too), socializing is good for our mental health.

If you’re an extrovert, you’ll need to really work on the balance between being around people and taking time to write. While you need to have a certain amount of time set to write, you can’t ignore your need to socialize. You need that interaction to recharge your batteries, for both your creativity and your mental well-being.

Harsh Reality # 2: Criticism and Rejection

This is a harsh reality for writers that is actually true for everyone. People are cruel, especially if they can be anonymous. Criticism is a harsh reality for everyone. But when you put yourself out there in front of the public, some people believe it is their right to be as mean as they want. Your favorite stories and characters will be put under a microscope and be found wanting. The work you spent months on, or even years, will be dismissed as drivel by someone. And, as the author, you won’t be forgotten either. While someone out there will dislike your work, some will direct their dislike at you instead of your story. Be prepared for tomatoes. It is impossible to satisfy everyone.

Then, there’s the rejections. My first novel never even got in front of an editor. I could paper a wall with the rejection letters from just that one book. Even my published works have their rejections. You have to realize that, even if your novel is fantastic, it might not be what a publisher or agent is looking for at the time. As hard as it is on the ego, don’t take rejection personally. You’ll face too much of it to stand otherwise.

For tips on how to handle rejection as a writer, check out my post “Dear Author: How to Survive Your First Rejection.”

Harsh Reality #3: Financial Instability

“Don’t quit you day job.” That early advice will alway echo in the back of my mind while I write. Unfortunately, for most of us, this is excellent advice. It is a miniscule number of authors who make enough on their writing alone to pay the bills. I’m not saying you can’t. You just may need to branch out from your writing comfort-zone.

Many authors will free-lance in writing areas that aren’t necessarily thier love. Many, such as myself, will teach. Others find jobs that allow them the time to write on the side. And eventually, many are able to survive on their writing alone. But you need to have a plan. Writing is an art but also a business. Make sure your bases are covered. No one starts out wanting to choose between buying a tank of gas or their next meal.

Harsh Reality #4: Intense Competition

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Harsh Reality #5: Uncertainty and Self-Doubt

I’ve found this particular harsh reality for writers the most difficult to deal with on a personal level. You really need to find a way of coping with the uncertainty and self-doubt, otherwise it does a real number on your mental health. You must have a plan for this, whether it’s setting small goals for yourself that you can achieve, setting up a reward system, having the support of other writers, or whatever. But most of all, keep in mind that these feelings are normal for anyone pursuing a creative life.

Final Thoughts

So, get ready for a wild ride. The writing life is not gonna be easy, but there’s nothing better than seeing your words come to life on the page. Be prepared, but don’t dwell on the hardships. Keep pushing yourself to be the best writer you can be. And don’t forget to have fun with it! Write from your heart and let your imagination run wild. Who knows where it might take you?