A writer’s life
A writer's life a computer and the internet

Why is it that some jobs are deemed glamorous? Doctors, firefighters, actors, journalists, lawyers and writers, all have movies, TV shows, and books showcasing their amazing lives.

When I tell people I’m a writer they always reply with wow and awesome – I’m guessing at this point they’re picturing a famous writer like J.K Rowling. Then they ask where I’ve been published, if I’ve interviewed anyone famous, and what types of books I write. That’s usually when the conversation gets awkward.

In reality a writer’s life is nothing like what’s pictured in the media. Most days it’s a bloody hard slog, and I spend a lot of time at events trying to explain what I really do. I often walk away from these conversations feeling shit because I haven’t lived up to their expectations. And a part of me is always sad that a writer is ‘successful’ only if they’ve sold millions of books, and had their work made into a movie franchise.

I wanted to share with you today what a writer’s life is actually like.

If only to save myself from that awkward conversation when we meet at an event.

    • I own more trackies and hoodies than I ever have. And most days I don’t even brush my hair. I always clean my teeth though because I’m lazy not gross.
    • Some days I don’t talk to anyone but the guy at the coffee shop. He’s polite and asks me a lot of questions while he makes my morning coffee because he knows I’m a writer and I get lonely at home all day.
    • I spend hours reading other writers’ writing and try to support non-white writers because the industry is suffering from a serious lack of diversity. Most writers we are exposured to at school and our everyday life are white, middle-aged, and middle-class men.
    • I pitch story ideas to magazines and online news sites and in most cases I don’t hear anything back. And when I do I get told they will publish my story but I won’t be paid. Being a writer is my full-time job. Exposure isn’t a payment.
    • There’s no real industry standard for writing rates either. So every time I secure a writing gig I have to negotiate like hell and hope I’m not being ripped off.
    • Book deals aren’t where the money’s at anymore. And many writers are being forced to conform to big online corporations like Amazon – who want page turners not necessarily insightful writing – so they can get their work in front of people. This is why I’m not writing a book anytime soon.
    • Being a writer doesn’t mean I only write books and interview people. There are so many other forms of writing – technical, copywriting, autobiographies, script and film, comic strips, and many more. Copywriting, which I love, pays the rent, not fiction pieces like Harry Potter.
    • It’s a dangerous job! I sprained my wrist once from writing on my computer for 10 hours a day for a week straight. Although I’m pretty uncoordinated and accident prone at the best of times.
    • Sometimes I feel like no one is reading my work, and when a stranger says they love my writing I reply with a questioning really because I’m shocked. Later I give myself a mental high five and fall in love with writing all over again.

While it’s not a glamorous job, I still love my writer’s life.

Writer’s what do you wish your friends, family and strangers knew about your life? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Hi, I’m Rachel

I support multi-talented business owners to get clear on what makes them tick and desperately needed in their industry so they can make more money.

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