The Cons of Being a Writer

I am a writer, not a professional writer yet just freelance writing everywhere including Vocal Media, a playwright, and a screenwriter. If you ask me being a writer may be easy however it can be a challenge just like any other job or career whether you are just writing or degree seeking writer. There are key points that you need to know if you are going to be a writer you might want to think about if you are planning to be one. You may not like it however it is the harsh truth on being a writer.

1. It Takes Time

Being a writer will take time so no it doesn't happen fast unless you are writing a five minute essay or a short poem. Writing takes time even if it means a year or more. Even if you have shelved it for more than a decade, writers can go back to its work.As for publishing, it can take a long time until an agent contact to see the full manuscript even if it was agency’s for film, television, or plays and musicals it might take time like a year or more depending on how the audience loved the writers craft.

2. Don't Quit Your Day Job

Just don't quit your day job just yet. Writers struggle to earn a living solely through writing. Published writers have to work part time or full time jobs or odd jobs just to make a living and make money to promote your writings work of art. If writing career was stable, it would have been different and not worry about getting a side job.

3. The Pay Depends

Being a writer gets some good pay and dependable pay meaning it depends on what you write. I have had my $5 top story bonus, had withdrawal of $30-$100 depending on how much I made, I had made $5 for being mentioned on the challenges I entered and never won a single challenge yet. If you are entering a writing competition, it takes time and can be competitive because a lot of writers share their work for the money.

4. No Passion, Just Money

Speaking of money, not every writer has a passion with writing they would just want to write for the pay. They can write whatever they like and get paid for it but where's the passion. Are you writing for pay or you have a passion for writing.

5. Writers Block

Every writer is on writer's block whether it is a good thing or a bad thing. Writers get stuck on what to write, the dialogues, the setting and the time era, and what happens next. Trust me, I am always on writers block where I am not sure what the characters would look like or what they say in their dialogue.

6. Doubts

As a writer, you will eventually have doubts whether you should give up or keep going. I have that type of doubts. I would think about whether I stop writing or if i should keep going because I felt like my career is not going anywhere.

7. Ideas Get Stolen

If you have ideas on what you want to write, it is better to keep to yourself. Writers would most likely to steal other peoples creative work and turn it into theirs making it unfair for writers and it can get ugly leading them into lawsuits. If you have respect for writers, it is better if you give them credit and write together.

8. Rejection

Everybody hates rejection including writers. Writers face rejection whether they submit their stories for magazines or other writing websites: HuffPost, Poetry Foundation, Time, New York Times, etc. Major writing websites are the most competitive websites to hire or choose peoples work. It is not because they hate your writing. There are so many writers who are very competitive that are capable to be publish or whatever that matters. In conclusion, if you are thinking about being a writer you might as well think again or rethink about their writing career.

Good luck!

Are you still going to be a writer?

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