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Six Reasons to Be Grateful We Are Writers By Brandy Stoner
A new year often brings renewed commitment to writing. How do you stick with it, though? Approach the writing life with an attitude of gratitude. Something like 85 percent of people say they have a book inside of them. And here you are, "living the dream." So here are half a dozen reasons to be grateful that the literary life hunted you down and dragged you off by your ankles…
Writing is our "calling."
What brave souls writers are! How many people actually march, swords drawn, into a thicket full of thorns, pain, and rejection, blindly believing that their dreams are on the other side? Most are too intimidated, but not writers! It is deeply fulfilling to be good at something you love, and to make a career of it. Even the attempt to make a career of writing brings you a step closer to your true self. Now moving on, before I get too philosophical…
There is no better job for the terminally curious.
Although all writers tend to specialize in one way or another, our ability to use language tools is by nature adaptable. Writers tend to be intelligent enough to be inquisitive. Or so inquisitive that we have become incredibly knowledgeable. Which comes first? Who knows? It's one of those eternal questions, like the did-Adam-and-Eve-have-belly buttons conundrum. I have increased my knowledge about writing, poetry, kids, clothing design, multiple births, resumé writing, hockey, capital punishment, the history of Roman baby naming, and much more through my writing career. Since we are always learning, there is usually something exciting to gab about. Most of us are either terminally annoying know-it-alls (which has a special eccentric cachet all its own), or on the A-list for all the cocktail parties.
Which brings us to the prestige-- of sorts.
It is more like "shock and awe" when people hear we're writers by trade. That it is possible for writing to be more than a hobby or diversion-- that there are real people who make a sustainable income off "doing that"-- seems a bit fanciful to the general public. A long-time friend of my significant other found out he was dating a writer. (Writers are far too sophisticated to say boyfriend-- natch.) This revelation elicited a breathless, "Wow… I have never met a real one in person before." As though said S.O. had just revealed that I grew four legs and an extra nipple. I was thrilled. I revel in the idea that my days in sweats in front of the computer, and being on a first-name basis with the local librarians and copy shop staff, could make me fascinating. Don't you?
We need the excitement.
Or at least I do, after spending all day in front of a computer. Writing affords the opportunity to go somewhere else or be someone else, if only in our minds. Besides, I am passionate and throw myself completely into research, but I have the attention span of a gnat. As soon as the project is complete, I am ready for a change of pace. I suspect that I am not alone in this. Working concurrently on decidedly different projects gives me a chance to take a breather from one while still accomplishing something, and is a fantastic way to deal with writer's block. Fixating on one subject can leave us with either stale perspective or a blank page. (Not sure which is worse.) In writing as in the stock market, the return on investment increases with diversification. And it's just more fun.
We need the flexibility.
There's much to be said for working when it suits you. Not waiting for inspiration to strike, mind you, but working when your life allows it. Or when your biorhythms dictate it. Not everyone does the best work from nine in the A.M. until five. Working for yourself as a writer is one occupation that lets you set your schedule according to your life, needs, and physiology.
We are our own bosses.
Some of this perk goes back to flexibility, but there is more to it than just that. Writers ask questions so we can answer them. We question everything, including authority, so there goes any chance of holding down a "real" job! Honestly, though, writing affords one some choices about who to work with and how to handle your business. If you don't like someone's approach to business, the environment, ethics…if he won't pay you on time or what you are worth, you can choose not to work with him anymore. You are in control. Beats dealing with the boss's annoying nephew for ten years, then being expected to train him to replace you one day.
Now go celebrate your fate!
Brandy Stoner writes on writing,
for children and their parents, and poetry. She facilitates poetry workshops,
and is launching the online poetry journal, Subcutaneous, which will feature an
annual competition for teens, and angst-ridden verse on a regular basis.
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