When we write or
type that first word, lots of writing illusions are hanging around our eyes. There
are visions of writers signing glossy copies of books, agents at their beck
and call, editors gushing over our stories, fat cheques in the bank, reviewers
praising us and readers buying the books the moment they reach the bookshelves
and ofcourse movie rights.
Its when we start going
deeper into the story we realize that neither writing a book nor getting it
published are easy. Every rosy illusion is shattered big time. That too into
tiny pieces. Here are few:
1.
Writing is Easy. It’s anything but easy. Anybody who believes that, has
definitely not struggled with troublesome characters, tricky knots
in plots, nailing the voice and truant muses. They have not stared at
blank pages and screens for long periods of time, nor have they struggled
with several edits and cringed over criticism from crit partners.
2.
Getting a book Published is not Difficult. People who think
like that live on another planet. Getting a book published is more difficult
than actually writing it. Manuscripts sit in the slush pile, agents are more
elusive than a rainbow and editors are highly choosy about the manuscripts they
accept. Even after a manuscript is accepted there are the harsh edits to
wade through.
3.
Writing can be a career option by itself. This is the worst illusion because people have not seen a writer’s royalty or advance cheques. Bills
cannot be paid through the income one makes from one’s book/s unless
the book wins a big prize or sells a million copies or our book is
made into a movie. Most writers have a day job and writing is restricted to the
free hours or late night.
4.
Once a book is out, the next one is accepted faster. This is another
illusion that needs to be broken. Unless the second book is a part of a series, its not easy to get it published if the first one was a standalone
book. With every book writers must prove themselves and the story must catch the
editor’s and agent’s eye.
5.
Writers live a glamorous life. We wish. Most people think we writers live
a glamorous life, where agents and editors are standing outside our doors
waiting for our completed manuscripts, where people are hanging onto our words.
If only. Writing is absolutely unglamorous. If people could see us typing
furiously or scribbling hard, the mess constantly surrounding us, the irritated
expression on our faces at the thousand and one distractions we have to battle,
and the hundred things vying for our attention, they would
surely think differently. Most people have not witnessed the tormented
expressions on our faces when we deal with tantrum throwing characters and
unruly muses.
Writers have a lot of
imaginary friends: these people live in our minds. We have more books than
people have shoes and purses. All our
free time goes into jotting down words. I know I have been guilty of shattering
illusions that many newbie writers have of a writer's life, perhaps I have even
marred them for life. I am just bringing them face to face with reality. Have any
of your writing illusions been shattered? Did you have any illusion when you
started this journey? Please share them with us.
