Nolafus
Aspiring something
- 5,724
- Posts
- 11
- Years
- Age 28
- Lost in thought... again
- Seen Mar 4, 2018
Hello everyone!
Some of you know that I have been off at a writing conference for the past few days. I'm heading back tomorrow, but insomnia strikes tonight, so I may as well write about it now. I'm just going to tell you about what I learned about not just writing, but about the writers themselves.
The more and more panels I went to, the more and more I learned something. Now, these panels were about a huge variety of topics ranging from asking how many readers is enough to fighting the monster inside, and these are just the ones I went to. There were also ones about anything you can think of about poetry, to readings of works by their creators. The reason I said that, is because even if I did go to those panels, I bet I would learn the same thing. The think I learned is that I would never make it as a writer.
At almost every panel, the writers were almost constantly trying to sell their work one way or another. Some did it subtly, some... decided that their novel would tell that all we would need to know and wouldn't stop reading from it and re-iterating how it was available in the lobby. Not that I think that's bad, but it's a necessary evil. As a writer, you never really dream of making a lot of money. Well, you can dream, but it's not something you expect. So, you have to try to advertise your work everywhere you go just to try to get food on the table.
Seeing all of those authors desperately trying to get us to buy their work made me realize that I wouldn't be able to survive in an environment like that. I don't think I could be assertive enough to try to shove my work ahead like that, but that's not the main thing I learned. The panel I found most helpful was one that was about keeping momentum and inspiration without success.
What was crazy is that people who receive over 1,000 rejection letters without a single publication, or one who has been a finalist in countless competitions and even had a couple agents, all to no avail, is how they kept writing. It's this stupid notion to never give up. Every single one of them thought of quitting, but they never did. What's even more crazy is that every writer thought of quitting because it was too hard. Even the writers there with over ten publications had their difficulties. Although, their perseverance isn't what I learned the most from.
You want to know what the craziest thing about this whole convention was? The biggest learning experience didn't take place listening to an author read their baby, or walking among the publication booths, or even listening to the panels. Instead, it happened back in my hotel room after watching Wreck-it Ralph. After getting warm-fuzzies from the ending, it dawned on me. I want to write.
I just want to write, and write, and write, and never stop. There's so much untapped potential everywhere, and it's my job to tap it. I want to create these universes that people love. I want my book to be a book that inspires people. I want people asking me how these characters are doing once the book ends. I don't care about the difficulties. I couldn't care less about the amount of readers I get, or the amount of money I receive. All I want with my writing is to develop a small following of readers who like me for my ideas.
I don't know what my journey holds, but I won't quit. I understand what those writers were all about. Writing isn't just an activity, it's life. It's the reason I get up in the morning, and it's what makes me happy.
I'm a person stuck in an industry I'll most likely never get anywhere in. It's so stupid. I'm not talking about the industry, I'm talking about me. I'm so stupid because I'm okay with that. I'll never understand why I love writing, all I know is that I can't live without it. I'm cursed to live a life of crappy apartments and sleepless nights, and I can't imagine anything better.
Some of you know that I have been off at a writing conference for the past few days. I'm heading back tomorrow, but insomnia strikes tonight, so I may as well write about it now. I'm just going to tell you about what I learned about not just writing, but about the writers themselves.
The more and more panels I went to, the more and more I learned something. Now, these panels were about a huge variety of topics ranging from asking how many readers is enough to fighting the monster inside, and these are just the ones I went to. There were also ones about anything you can think of about poetry, to readings of works by their creators. The reason I said that, is because even if I did go to those panels, I bet I would learn the same thing. The think I learned is that I would never make it as a writer.
At almost every panel, the writers were almost constantly trying to sell their work one way or another. Some did it subtly, some... decided that their novel would tell that all we would need to know and wouldn't stop reading from it and re-iterating how it was available in the lobby. Not that I think that's bad, but it's a necessary evil. As a writer, you never really dream of making a lot of money. Well, you can dream, but it's not something you expect. So, you have to try to advertise your work everywhere you go just to try to get food on the table.
Seeing all of those authors desperately trying to get us to buy their work made me realize that I wouldn't be able to survive in an environment like that. I don't think I could be assertive enough to try to shove my work ahead like that, but that's not the main thing I learned. The panel I found most helpful was one that was about keeping momentum and inspiration without success.
What was crazy is that people who receive over 1,000 rejection letters without a single publication, or one who has been a finalist in countless competitions and even had a couple agents, all to no avail, is how they kept writing. It's this stupid notion to never give up. Every single one of them thought of quitting, but they never did. What's even more crazy is that every writer thought of quitting because it was too hard. Even the writers there with over ten publications had their difficulties. Although, their perseverance isn't what I learned the most from.
You want to know what the craziest thing about this whole convention was? The biggest learning experience didn't take place listening to an author read their baby, or walking among the publication booths, or even listening to the panels. Instead, it happened back in my hotel room after watching Wreck-it Ralph. After getting warm-fuzzies from the ending, it dawned on me. I want to write.
I just want to write, and write, and write, and never stop. There's so much untapped potential everywhere, and it's my job to tap it. I want to create these universes that people love. I want my book to be a book that inspires people. I want people asking me how these characters are doing once the book ends. I don't care about the difficulties. I couldn't care less about the amount of readers I get, or the amount of money I receive. All I want with my writing is to develop a small following of readers who like me for my ideas.
I don't know what my journey holds, but I won't quit. I understand what those writers were all about. Writing isn't just an activity, it's life. It's the reason I get up in the morning, and it's what makes me happy.
I'm a person stuck in an industry I'll most likely never get anywhere in. It's so stupid. I'm not talking about the industry, I'm talking about me. I'm so stupid because I'm okay with that. I'll never understand why I love writing, all I know is that I can't live without it. I'm cursed to live a life of crappy apartments and sleepless nights, and I can't imagine anything better.
