A Note on Writing
For anyone who hasn’t tried writing a novel, a short story, a fanfic, writing is hard. It’s not as simple as you would think. You’re not only dealing with words and sentences, you’re dealing with emotions, characters that are so lively they could be real, you’re creating, you’re changing, you’re building...
Writing is hard. Because you’re not only trying to please those who are some day going to read it, you’re trying to please yourself. Which is one of the hardest things one can do. Artists of any genre are faced with that on a daily basis, every time they want to do something they love.
Writing is hard because it’s you and you against you. No one is going to write your story and tell it like you. No one knows the characters like you, no one knows your thoughts, words and emotions like you. Sure, you could share your work with others, but at the end of the day, it’s just you in the space of your head.
Writing is hard because characters are not just characters. They are friends, they are family. They are there when no one else it. Perhaps you can relate to them, perhaps they’re a version of you that you want to be some day, or wish you could be. Perhaps they’re someone you look up to, or perhaps they carry your flaws and every time you write about them, you have to read about yourself.
Writing is hard because every one is different. There is so much different advice to be found on the internet these days concerning writing that often writers loose themselves and their individuality. They loose sight of what is important in their own world, their own work, trying to please and conform to all the different ‘tips and tricks,’ instead of focusing on their own voice.
Writing is hard because sometimes you don’t feel like it, and you know you should be working on the next bestseller but you simply cannot bring yourself to. There will be days where the world will weight you down and you’ll want to give up. There will be times where when you’re writing the words will touch you so deeply that it will be painful, or where you’ll wish you’re there instead of here. There will be times you’ll sit for hours in front of a blank page and write nothing, while other times you’ll churn out 3000 words that you later find to be unsatisfactory. Writing leaves you open and bare to your own emotions and leaves you alone with your feelings.
Writing is hard because you’re not just you. You’re all the characters in your book. You have to think for each of them, you have to react for every action and cry for every sorrow or joy. You have to split yourself up between the people on the pages and still keep yourself invested and interested in the plot even when you know who dies next.
Writing is hard because it’s hard. There is nothing easy about sitting down, alone, and opening yourself up to nothing but a blank page. It’s hard because when it comes down to it, writing is a solidarity experience. When the discussions and tips and laughs and idea bouncing is done, you’re on your own.
So to all the writers out there who are working on whatever work it is, whether it’s poetry, novels, shorts ect... We know it’s hard. But just because it’s hard, doesn’t mean you should give up. This is your story, write it. It’s your poem, compose it. It’s your screenplay, live it.
Yes, writing of any kind is hard, but where would we be without People of the Pen? We’d have no books, or movies, or music or poetry. We’d have no worlds to disappear into when life gets tough or songs to sooth ourselves with.
Writing is hard, but write on. They’re your words, use them. It’s your story, tell it.
