Being a professional writer can be an incredibly rewarding career, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are a few of the negatives that come with being a writer.
Inspiration doesn’t strike between 9 and 5. Writers are creative people, and creativity doesn’t always adhere to a strict schedule. Writers often have to work late into the night to capture their best ideas, and this can be difficult to manage with a full-time job.
You have no time or energy to work on your own writing. Professional writers often have to put their own projects on the back burner in order to complete client work. This can be frustrating for a writer who is passionate about their own projects, but needs to focus on the paying work.
Your work will never be good enough. Writers are perfectionists, and often feel that their work is never quite good enough. This can lead to an endless cycle of revisions and self-doubt.
It’s a lonely life. Writing is a solitary activity, and writers often spend long hours alone with their thoughts. This can be isolating, and can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression.
You’re no longer writing for just the reader. Professional writers often have to write to please a client or an editor, and this can take away from the joy of writing.
It’s not all bad, I promise. Despite the negatives, being a professional writer can be incredibly rewarding. Writers have the opportunity to share their ideas with the world, and to make a living doing something they love.
The key to being a successful writer is to be aware of the negatives, and to find ways to work around them. With the right attitude and a bit of hard work, it is possible to make a living as a professional writer.