As a society, we often celebrate tortured and struggling artists who finally make it big despite their obstacles, and yet we don’t often examine the flip side of this, which is that the vast majority of tortured and struggling artists don’t actually make it. We tend to encourage everyone to write (Person 1 tells an interesting story, Person 2 says “Wow, you should write a book about that”), and there are very few people out there willing to tell any writer they don’t have what it takes and should probably try pursuing something else with their time. I’m guilty of this as well – who am I to say whether or not someone will or won’t be published?
– Nathan Bransford, literary agent
I’m with Nathan. Who am I to say someone will or won’t be published? I wouldn’t want to be responsible for discouraging the next Jane Austen or John Steinbeck. However, there is a certain naivete with beginning writers about what it takes to have a successful writing career. (I know this from my own naivete when starting out.) After years of learning the craft, you can be incredibly talented, and still not have the publishing gods smile upon you. Or you can publish with mediocre results.
So what do you think? Should we encourage everyone to write, especially when the odds are long and the cost to a personal life is sometimes high? I’d love to hear from you.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Good topic! I have always felt that there is an imaginary line dividing those with true talent from those who are just “tinkering”, but that line can get a little blurry sometimes. And no one really wants to tell those on the “tinkering” side that they don’t have what it takes. It’s kind of like trying to answer your spouse when they’ve asked, “have I gained weight?”
If you’ve ever watched American Idol, which I try not to, then you know that many of the singers auditioning are completely deluding themselves into thinking they have talent. Unfortunately, this is true in almost any field of “art”, including writing. I think that one has to rely on what they have heard from trusted sources in the past, i.e. teachers, professors, peers… Obviously, you can not trust what your friends have to say, or your spouse/partner… They are only there to support you, so of course they are going to give you positive feedback.
When I write, I do so with the knowledge that I may never get published. Not because I am without talent, but because there is so much talent OUT THERE to compete with. But, I am taking a leap of faith. I have to. I think when you are meant to do something, you just know it. And, if you are deluding yourself; if I am deluding myself, then so be it. You only live once, after all.
Thanks for your comment, Kelly. I have no doubt that you are very talented and I commend you for taking that leap of faith. So many people don’t take the risk. Keep at it!!
Hello Susan. I think most people with an interest in writing for publication have years of closet writing where they are honing their skill, taking classes, reading books on technique, and searching the internet for information on being a better writer.
The only encouragement I venture to give is to follow one’s passion. The system will take care of the arrogant without talent. That is part of life — and part of the publishing industry. On the other hand, no one gets a slot on the Olympic team just by a hobbyist’s effort. Just like any profession, passion, drive, and acquiring skills is what it takes to succeed as a writer.
Interesting post.
Excellent point, Nadine. I agree that “passion, drive, and acquiring skills” are crucial elements to succeeding as a writer. Thanks for your comment!
Well, I think we’ve become a society where if the masses (American Idol again) think we have talent, then we do. That’s what the democracy of the cash register says. In Bach’s day you had to please the church. In Beethoven’s day you had to please your patron/sponsor. In our day, you have to please the masses–it’s strictly a numbers game. While no system is inherently foolproof, at least the clergy and aristocracy studied music to some extent as part of their general cultured upbringing. Today no one need know anything about music, but because of the internet, everyone’s an instant critic and expert.
On the subject of who should write and if the result is any good, my own latest blog post is about something very similar. I thought it might make you smile, and you may even recognize yourself a bit in it–as I think everyone probably can. So please check it out when you get the time at http://entertainingwelsey.wordpress.com.