What's the worst thing about being a writer?

Posted by Pat Davids on Monday, March 1, 2010
We had some wonderful romance scenes and stories last month on this blog. I enjoyed everyone of them. (okay Blossom is my fav)

Being writers is what makes us tick, but what about the dark side?
What's the downside of being an author? We have pros and cons to every aspect of our lives, what are some of the cons we face in our make-believe worlds?

I'd like to start off by saying that creating a story that is emotionally satisfying outweighs all the bad stuff, but there is bad stuff.

Number one is TIME: When I invest hours and hours into a story, that time isn't available for my husband or my daughter or grandkids. It isn't available to me. I cringe when I think of the hours it has taken to write 15 books. Am I glad I did it? Sure, but some things got put on the back burner. Taking care of myself. Visiting my folks and my brothers. Traveling with my husband. I missed those opportunities.

Number two is isolation: Me in my office, typing until my fingers ache, talking for imaginary people. It's lonely work.

What do you see as the down side of this business?
Have you even thought about it?
Pat

6 comments:

Rox Delaney said...

I think about it every day. Not hard thinking, just that little, gee, if I only had time I could...

OTOH, I'm on the side that at least I get paid for what I do and that I still love doing it. Most of the time. This year I spent the holidays writing, thanks to a deadline.

Good topic, Pat!

March 2, 2010 at 9:49 AM
Becky A said...

Pat, I love this blog. Most of the time I don't think about the downside to writing with any real conscious thought. If I did, it would only make them more of an issue and then I would probably start to grumble.:) However, any new writer or writer wannabe, should be aware that there is a downside and it varies with individuals just like everything else. Since I am going to blog on this too I'm not going to give away my particular issues just yet. But one thing I can't fully understand, since I am not published, is the pressure of writing under a deadline. That has got to be tough because you can't work when you want,you must work until it's done. Thanks for getting my wheels spinning, my brain thanks you!

March 2, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Joan Vincent said...

Not a topic I have consciously thought about but for which a list was too easily formed not to have been somewhere in the subconscious! Receiving a jection letters after waiting and waiting months comes to mind, Pat. Putting yourself on the line--out there "nekked" in our work so to speak is both a blessing and a curse. I agree about the loneliness and isolation and the time factor. All too true. I also remember the years I went through before I discovered WARA and other writers. Before then there was no one to talk to about the writing, no one who wanted to listen to the joys or woes of a particular day , a particular best or worst in a given book's ongoing birthing. Fortunately, like any birthing, the pain usually fades into the background.

March 2, 2010 at 10:50 PM
Pat Davids said...

Joan,
Rejections have to rank at the top of the worst things heap. Nothing hurts like knowing they didn't "love" my writing. It's part of the business. If it was easy everyone would do it.

You're right about the pain fading with time, too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Pat

March 3, 2010 at 1:52 PM
Penny Rader said...

The scary stuff -- What if I can't finish another book? What if no one likes it?

March 3, 2010 at 7:10 PM
Nina Sipes said...

Or worse. Suppose I'm only a one book person. That thought freaked me out for three years.

March 13, 2010 at 9:43 AM

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