7 Secrets Writers Do Not Like To Share

Being a writer is a real adventure!

It is never as easy or straight-forward as any writer initially estimates.

With all the SEO and digital information we need to keep in mind while keeping our creativity intact, writing has graduated to a whole new level requiring mastery of many skills.

Writers have to become professional researchers, SEO experts, creative machines, sales and marketing experts, and talented communicators.

There is a good chance that your family and friends believe that your daily routine as a writer is a dreamy existence, where you flawlessly and magically know what you write while listening to music!

The following secrets are well known amongst the writer community, but just in case you feel alone in your struggles, read on! The article aims to ease some of your fears and validate some of your efforts.

#1: Writing Is Not Easy

“When something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into its writing.” – Enrique Jardiel Poncela

When a reader sees the final version of any content you developed, they might think it was an easy task. Even if you enjoy writing, even if you are an incredible writer, the reality is that writing is hard.

Very few writers get the perfect first draft!

Who is not dreading those introductions?

Who is not dreading that first paragraph that is meant to be enticing, engaging, and hooks the reader to read more?

Getting started is 50% of the struggle. Once you get going, words will flow.

But let’s be honest, mustering up the will to write that first paragraph can sometimes take up many hours!

#2: Procrastination is Real and Loves Writers

“Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn’t the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment.” –  Robert Benchley

I do not know about you, but nothing makes me clean my house like a writing assignment. Procrastination will knock on your door the first day you declare yourself to be a writer! It’s as if procrastination has been sitting around waiting for you to have deadlines, and then it moves in with you.

It doesn’t matter if you got assigned a task three weeks ago, the chances are you will be racing to finish it the day before.

Why am I sharing this?

In case you believe that the rest of us are organized and always on schedule.

All jokes aside, sooner or later, you will have to come up with whatever little hacks work for you to tackle your procrastination.

If social media is an issue, log off while you are working.

If cleaning the house somehow becomes a priority, try to work in neutral places, like cafes and libraries.

#3: You Are Part Of Your Content

Content always tells something about the author. Writers, sooner or later, will portray themselves in their works. It might not be intentional, and you might not even see it, but it is there.

Although you might end up writing about a lot of niches and topics, you will eventually gravitate to a niche that is closer to your interests.

It’s inevitable.

Most writers will draw from their own experiences when they write.

So yes, imagination is essential, but do you know what is more important?

Real-life experiences!

So go out and live your best life so you can write about it.

#4: You Will Write A Lot Of Useless Content

You will often feel ashamed to read what you wrote in the past.

Your first drafts will always make you cringe, and your confidence will never be quite “there.”

Guess what? We are all in the same situation.

Do not be surprised if your final document is vastly different from your initial draft.

The situation will improve as the years go by, and eventually, you will cringe less and less every time you read one of your own pieces.

#5: You Will Never Finish

“There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” ~ W. Somerset Maugham

And since no one knows the rule, no one is ever really done!

You might have a slightly better chance of feeling “done” if you are writing a blog post or something short or factual. But when it comes to books, the work is never done.

There are a million new ways you can start the first chapter and a billion ways to end the last chapter. Any direction you go, you ‘ll always wonder, “what if you had chosen a different path.”

You are not alone. Most authors never feel that they are done, even if the book is published already.

Learning to let go and starting a new project will come more naturally as time goes by. The best way to deal with this situation is to aim for “completion.” Forget perfection, as it does not exist.

#6: It Is Normal to Care About Money

If becoming a billionaire is part of your grand plan, choosing to do it through writing is quite odd.

Not that it can’t be done, but there might be easier ways!

However, yes, money does matter.

It is ok if you pick up assignments you do not like because you need to make money.

Sure, you like kittens, but does kitty content pay as well as legal content?

There is nothing wrong with picking up work that you might not be in love with. Everyone does it, and it is part of being a writer as a career choice. Therefore, if you are looking to support yourself through writing, study the market, and understand what kind of content is in demand.

Work on developing your knowledge in those niches and make money!

Lastly, be sure that most writers are continually questioning their choices and their work. Self-doubt and procrastination will move in with you the day you become a writer.

Ignore them and keep going!

We are all in the same situation.

Are there any other secrets you have been keeping and want to share with us?

We are here to listen!