Top 5 Misconceptions About Being A Writer
As a writer, I have been a target of several vexing misconceptions that undermine my worth, effort or what I do. Sometimes, when I mention that I am a content writer, I get looks that scream some sort of disapproval or confusion and then it feels like being a content writer is not just worthwhile. I occasionally find myself awkwardly explaining the importance of my work, or I add more items to my portfolio just to feel acknowledged.
Well, I have had enough of that. So I wrote this article to present the top five misconceptions about being a writer that I find most annoying. If you harbour any of these thoughts that I will mention below, please do writers everywhere a favour and get rid of them.
- It is easy to be a writer, anyone can do it.
Writing is perceived as evidence of literacy and a means of communication, but let me be the one to break it to you that “professional” writing is more than just what it is generally perceived to be. There are levels to this writing gig and NO, it is not as basic or easy as you probably think.
The entire process involves creativity, strategic research, and a good amount of reading. It also requires a level of empathy because, as you document your thoughts, you would have to put yourself in your audience’s shoes to ensure engagement, readability, and understanding. Did I mention the series of edits and adequate checks that goes into writing which is needed to make your work presentable and erase any form of plagiarism? The list goes on and on.
2. We do not expect writers to make much money.
For whatever reason, people think writers are not worthy enough to earn big. The big money is meant for the professionals like doctors or lawyers, and writers? Well, don’t just seem to do enough. Whereas, without copywriters, it is hard to make sales. Without music writers, what are you going to sing? Without novelists or authors, how do you stay enlightened or entertained?
I am often irked by how ignorant employers, who need writers, negotiate the fee so low because it is ‘just writing’. Thankfully, hotshot writers like J.K Rowling have broken this boundary, and more will continue to emerge because truthfully, we all have the potential to be successful.
3. Writing is not an actual job.
I started writing when I was pretty young, but I started writing professionally three years ago. I wrote almost all the time; stories, thoughts and opinions, and brief articles. My write-ups usually got positive feedback from readers. I just never thought to monetize the skill because I also thought it could not be a real job, just a hobby.
Writing is pretty much an integral aspect of many professional endeavours. Think about it for a second, from literature (probably the most obvious mention) to business, marketing, education, politics, law, entertainment, and more. How can something as important as writing not be a real job?
4. Writers can come up with a story quickly.
I believe I speak for many writers out there when I say a big NO to this thought. Writing takes a lot of processes and just because I am a writer does not mean it is easy for me to come up with a story.
Sometimes, it is easy to come up with an idea and other times; we have to deal with writers’ block, ask our friends, research ideas to write about and tick certain boxes to be sure the topic we have chosen is good enough. When you give writers a lot of work to do in such a small time, it reduces efficiency and slows down productivity. Imagine one writer tasked with writing 22 blog articles in a month.
5. Writers are boring nerds.
I assume people have this misconception because writers are likely to write in solitude. For me, this is usually necessary during the writing process. It helps me explore and connect with my thoughts before documenting them. It is also essential to not be distracted, especially when editing. Also, many writers are likely to read a lot and that does not make them boring, but rather interesting to have conversations with.
Depending on their disposition, writers might be introverts or extroverts, outgoing or prefer to stay at home. Everything boils down to the individual, and not the profession itself.
As a writer, which one can you relate to the most?