Tell someone you meet at a party or at your day job that you are a writer and don’t be surprised if you are suddenly subjected to questions about some of the common myths about writers. Here’s a look at some of these myths and what the reality is.
- Writers use typewriters. Really? I personally haven’t used one in my day job or writing life since the 1980s. But still the image of a typewriter turns up on websites about writing, in ads for writing courses and just about anywhere writing is depicted. It is a digital world and the few of us who do possess a typewriter and can actually find the ribbons and other parts needed for one are rare. Most of us use computers and often specialized software for our creative work.
- You aren’t a writer unless you are published. Sorry, but the term “writer” is defined as “one who writes.” It’s the adjectives you have to look for. A writer who does not publish is an unpublished writer and one who does put his/her work into the public domain is a published writer. But the generic term writer is used by most of us.
- Writing is easy and all writers are naturals when it comes to grammar and spelling. Anyone can write something if they wish, but good writing is not that easy. And we all need editors to check out grammar and spelling, etc. We may be wonderful wordsmiths, but we have trouble seeing our own mistakes.
- Publishing automatically makes you wealthy. Wonderful idea, but not true. Only a small percentage of writers make lots of money from their writing. Most of us have day jobs that pay the bills. And we don’t all “hate” our day jobs. I was lucky enough to work as a corporate writer and journalist as my day job for many years.
- You don’t look like a writer. There is a misconception that we all dress strangely. No idea where this originated. It’s not true. It depends on who you are and what your life experience is. While yes, we often wear comfy clothes when writing, we aren’t a bunch of slobs.
- Writers tend to be antisocial and don’t have personal lives. We all have personal lives and they can be as mundane as anybody else’s or as exciting as we make them. We go to PTA meetings or the grocery store. We like to spend time with others. We have families and close friends. We take vacations when we can. We are real people. And yes, sometimes, we need to get away for a bit and work on our stories – isn’t that what coffee shops are for?
I could go on and on about some of the myths that exist about writers. But this is a blog, not an academic paper. I’m sure you have heard at least these major ones. Myths are just that—popular ideas about us fostered by movies, the media and, yes, even books.
So don’t act surprised if you are introduced to a pleasant, decently dressed person toting a laptop who says they are a writer. After all, what if that person has heard just as many myths about people in your profession? Think about it.
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Rather well said.