10 myths about writers that are true (and false)

When I was little and I used to tell a relative that when I grew up I wanted to be a writer, the answer, laughing, was "Those only get paid when they die, like painters." And so, little by little, artists are growing under the prejudice that writing is fine, but if you are a doctor, lawyer or banker much better, which in broad strokes may be more practical but not the only option. This is one of the many topics of the writer in the XXI century with which surely more than one of you will have identified at some point. With this and others 10 myths of writers that are true. . . and false.

True myths

The writer's activity is lonely

If you are a person who does not usually interact with other writers, possibly no one will understand you beyond the typical question of "Are you going to publish something new?"; And now, mainly because the world continues to consider writing more as a hobby than as an important task if you have not published anything yet. At the same time, there seems to be a certain suspicion on the part of the writer when it comes to sharing his ideas, of allowing someone or something else to come between him and that parallel world under construction in which only he lives. Gabo already said it: «I really believe that in literary work one is always alone, like a shipwrecked man in the middle of the sea. Yes, it is the loneliest job in the world. No one can help you write what you are writing. '

Reading always helps

The writer may have the ability to create, but he will always need to read other authors to nurture his style, experiment and, ultimately, be able to capture that great idea in the best way possible. Reading doesn't make you a better writer, but it does help.

Writing is a matter of practice

Ideas may be just as fresh in our twenties as they are in our fifties, but practice is the factor that will determine how we learn to develop them and realize their full potential; a level that is reached by practicing, rereading, correcting and taking risks.

False myths

Living from writing is impossible

Twenty years ago there were no blogs, nor had self-publishing platforms and many other facilities to express your ideas to the world. On the other hand, today things are different, especially because everyone can make themselves thanks to a literature blog, a self-published book or yes, through a work published by a publisher. Because although publishing labels tend to be too sharp filters, they will always look for fresh ideas, organize contests and, ultimately, they will be able to allow you make a living writing if the book convinces them (and it sells, of course). Perhaps there are not as many writers who live only from it as we would like, but impossible, what is said impossible, is not.

Only professional writers are talented

The reason why a book sells a lot is a factor where there is sometimes a lot of marketing involved. On Amazon, for example, we can see great best-sellers with 50 negative and 20 positive opinions that are still being read because they give rise to debate or they arrived at the right time driven by an editorial or X literary trend. However, this factor is often far removed from the quality of a work itself, with many "novice" writers who can write stories just as competent as those of these more experienced writers.

Self-publishing is an easier alternative

When you first discover self-publishing platforms like Amazon's KDP or Bubok  Your eyes are opened even more: to be able to publish my own novel on my own. . . and make it succeed !? In theory the idea is great, but in practice self-publishing has a small great detail that an author would not have if he published his work with a publisher: you must take care of the cover, the correction, the conversions to epub, mobi and other formats that we did not know or that existed, to publish it, to disseminate it, to interact with readers, to knock on the doors of literary blogs and a long list of factors that you should take into account before launching into a pool that, on the other hand, can also give you many joys.

We are all drunkards

I admit that during some writing night a glass of wine has slipped onto the desk, but not for that reason we all sleep in beds surrounded by empty Rioja bottles nor do we smoke an opium pipe to invite inspiration. The myth of the bohemian writer can sometimes be reflected in his thinking, but not always in his way of acting or in that universe that movies like Moulin Rouge sold us. Many writers also take care of themselves, go skating with their children on Sundays and carry out other jobs in parallel to their activity, leading a totally orderly and clean life.

Everyone can write

If we put ourselves like this, yes, everyone can write, but when it comes to making a story or a novel, things are not so simple. Of course, many people who never considered writing start with a novel that their family, friends and boyfriend may like but whose quality is obviously not as expected. Write a good book it thrives on many factors and putting them all together is not so easy.

The writer and his muses

The most bohemian myth of any writer resides in the presence of their muses, of those women (or men?) Who do not do anything except hover around us to offer us a breath of creativity. However, the reality is quite different: no muse waits for us when we get home or whispers in our ear what we should do. Rather, there are places, situations and people in everyday life that can inspire us.

And the eternal doubt

Is the writer born or made?

There are hundreds of opinions around what is one of the great questions in literary circles. In my opinion, the writer is born, although he does not have to be aware of his capacity from the outset. Some are born with a gift that they exploit at an early age, while others need to explore culture, read books, or dare to set aside time to test "how this tale plays out" to realize that passion had long been dormant. But as I say, everyone has an opinion on this and you can never take anything for granted when it comes to vocational matters.

Do we debate?