Over the years, writing has evolved from a basic skill to a real career in the modern world. Writing is an important part of many people lives from school work to posting on the internet, that taking this a step further as a career seems like a good option.
So, how hard is it to become a writer? Despite the myths surrounding the profession, becoming a writer isn’t as hard as people expect. As there are many different writing careers to choose from, including writing fiction, writing fact based articles for blogs, writing content for videos, marketing promotions and so on.
Being a writer is can be one of the easiest professions in the modern world, whether you want to be a literal, full-time, or freelance writer, you will find it quick to learn and adapt, and you will easily earn an honest living. All you need is a combination of skill, passion, and drive to survive in the writing world; therefore, it all depends on you.
If you want to know the truth about writing, this is the right article for you. We delve into this creative world to find out what it takes to be a great writer. In the coming pages, we separate fact from fiction to tell you all you need to know about the writing profession.
Is Becoming an Author Hard?
Becoming an author isn’t hard for those who have good writing skills already and are able to easily research the subject matter they are writing about. But for those with limiting writing and researching skills, becoming an author can be difficult.
Probably by now, you’ve heard that being a writer is a thrilling and fulfilling career compared to other professions; we agree. There are so many perks of being an author; hence, many creatives worldwide wish to find a spot in the field.
In matters of how complex it is to be an author, there are so many aspects that we need to consider first. We cannot answer it straight without looking at all the factors. The following will help you judge whether it is easy to be an author, and if it is a field you would gladly enter.
The Concept of “Hard”
The concept of what is hard varies based on the individual in question; what may be hard for me could be straightforward for you and vice versa. For instance, if you have just graduated with a relevant degree, the job may be a walk in the park compared to someone who has no training whatsoever.
Similarly, if you have been writing for quite some time, you will likely have an advantage over a newbie.
On the other hand, it depends on an individual’s perspective. Writing may come easier for the people who are passionate and are willing to learn the ins and outs of writing as a skill and career. Thus, if they put in the work, they will discover that it is effortless to take it up as a full-time career.
Willingness To Sacrifice
Just like any other profession, being an author requires constant sacrifice. It involves pushing yourself every day to meet the demands of your readers and clients at all times. Hence, in many cases, you may have to put their interests before yours.
Most authors admit to working at odd hours to earn and fulfill their readers’ wishes. In the beginning, this may be exhausting, but with time, the rewards will be very fulfilling.
Most authors will also state that they had to sacrifice some aspects of their lives to become full-time writers. When you become one, you may have to compromise your social life and some relationships. These are just some sacrifices you will need to make, but we assure you, there are so many perks to enjoy.
Interpersonal Skills
This skill is an essential one that will aid in making writing easy for you. Since an author works directly with the clients and the readers, it is vital to have a great relationship with other people. If you find it easy to relate to others, you will find writing a walk in the park. Not only will you gain the necessary connections, but you will also stand out among the rest.
Similarly, to survive in this world, you will have to learn how to take rejection. Some people find it difficult to accept criticism, and in a short span, they quit writing altogether. You will need to take rejection and praise with equal measure; otherwise, you will find it hard to become an author.
Also, you will need to learn how to deal with loneliness. Mostly, you will be alone as you write and try to beat deadlines. If you find it easy to work in solitude, then writing will not be a problem.
Self-Drive
The only way to survive in this fast-changing world is to have the ability to self-motivate. Here, you will need to give yourself a purpose every day. If you set achievable goals and ensure that you smash them at the end of every day, you will have a fulfilling career in writing. If you are disciplined and push yourself, you definitely have a place at the authors’ table.
The factors above are the considerations you need to make to help you decide whether being an author is easy. If you can implement these in your daily life, you will find it easy to become an author, whether part-time or full time.
Is Being an Author a Realistic Career?
There are many careers involving being an author, from being a freelance writer to writing non-fiction works. Freelance writing can be a realistic career option providing a good level of income along with flexible working for those who have good writing and researching skills. Becoming a successful non-fiction author may prove to be more difficult for those without a track record or network.
Saying that you are an author is as realistic as any other career out there. The same way you go to school to learn a skill and implement it in your daily life, it is the same for an author. There are various courses you can physically or virtually take to sharpen your writing skills. So, ignore the naysayers that say it is not realistic to become an author.
However, we do not rubbish that you may struggle first before getting a hold of the profession. You may need to deal with so many challenges before you become successful, but isn’t it the same for any other artistic career?
To succeed, do not expect to get instant recognition unless you are fortunate or have the right networks. Therefore, it may take some time before you declare that you are an author. All it takes is hard work, sacrifice, and training, and you will be a great author.
What Are The Odds of Becoming a Bestselling Author?
The truth is millions of people wish to write a book someday or even become a best-seller. Therefore, the odds of succeeding will vary based on the individual aspirant. It depends on what you envision and the effort you are willing to put into achieving it. As a writer today, your success odds are far greater than if you were trying it decades back. Currently, there are so many platforms for you to showcase your talents in the area.
Thanks to technology, you can easily show your work and have other people read and give their criticism. The more you write and sharpen your skills, the easier it will be for you to get your big break in the writing world.
We consider that the only hurdle to overcome is our mindsets; if you set your heart and mind to it, the odds are likely to increase in your favor. We have seen so many authors who struggled to get into the field and eventually became best-selling authors.
Most of them were just starving artists who never gave up on their craft. Thus, the more you commit to it, the greater your chances are of success.
Is Becoming an Author Worth It?
There are up, and downsides to any profession and the same applies to writing. However, being an author is not only noble but very fulfilling. Many authors love their craft, and they keep doing it every day. Let’s look at some of the perks of being an author compared to other professions.
- You get to control your time. As an author, you have the liberty to decide when to write and when to do other things. Unlike a 9-5 job, nobody will dictate your timelines for you. Therefore, it is up to you to decide when you work, and you don’t need to deal with routines and boredom.
- You don’t need to worry about daily commutes and rush hours. If you work from home, you don’t need to deal with long hours in traffic or deal with the hassle of daily commutes. You will love waking up to go to your desk, and you will be doing it at the comfort of your home.
- The profession provides you the best freedom you need in this ever-busy world. When you plan accordingly, you will have enough time to do everything you wish for, unlike our counterparts in other fields.
- You get to unlock your fantasy world and live in it for as long as you wish. Any creative writer goes into a sort of trance when they are writing. If you are an artist, writing will sharpen your creativity and enable you to live in the world that you have built for yourself.
- Writing comes in handy to sharpen your thinking and expand your mind. The more you write, the more you research, and the more knowledge you gain. You will be surprised how gaining more information will help you in your social life, especially during conversations.
- Lastly, there is a level of fulfillment in educating readers or introducing them to a fantasy world. Moreover, you will be pleased that you have left behind a tangible work of art to be admired by others.
These serve to prove how it is worth it to be a writer. You get to do what you love and let others in on the same. We judge that being an author is one of the most rewarding professions in the modern world.
Do You Have To Be Smart To Be a Writer?
Depending on the type of writing being done, necessitates how smart you need to be. If you’re writing academic papers then you need to have the appropriate level of knowledge. But if you’re writing blog articles, being able to research and present the information coherently is more important. Writing non-fiction requires the ability to be able to tell a story and this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be smart to do this.
Before you start writing, you will need to decide what type of writing you will be doing. Are you writing general blogs or academic thesis and articles? Or do you want to write non-fiction and create a story?
If you want to write blogs, the most important ingredient is your presentation. When you present your ideas well, you can get many people to read your work, even when you write about what they already know.
On the other hand, if your niche is academic papers, you need a knowledge level. These types of write-ups are about facts, so you may be misleading to your readers if you are unsure.
Writing non-fiction is about telling a story and being able to do this in a written form, keeping the reader entertained and gripped is a skill that some people find naturally easy, whilst other develop this skill through practice.
Based on these examples, you notice that your knowledge will depend on your writing. In some fields, all you need is art and skill, while in others, you need to be a bit more knowledgeable.
Suppose you wish to write about fiction, then the case will be quite different. You need to unlock an imaginary world and take your readers along all your journeys. You cannot achieve this unless you are really creative and have a wild imagination.
To be safe, let’s say that not all smart people can write, and if you don’t consider yourself smart, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t write. With the right amount of literacy and training, anyone can write. Besides, there are plenty of research materials to help you gain all the information you need on almost any topic.
How Many Hours a Day Do Writers Write?
The number of hours a day writer write depends on a lot of factors. Full-time writers have more time on their hands compared to part-timers. A full-time writer can spend up to six hours a day writing, but a part-time writer may only have a few hours to spare.
For others, it depends on the number of words they need to write and their typing speed. Two writers may write the same number of words, but their writing speed may differ; a fast writer will take a shorter time to finish than a slow writer.
Nonetheless, a writer will determine how many hours they will spend in writing, and there are no restrictions whatsoever. Writers write whenever they can.
Can You Write 1000 Words in a Day?
Writing a 1000 words in a day is easily possible as most people are capable of writing at least 200 words an hour and over 5 hours, they can easily amass a 1000 words. Even if they have to research a subject area, writing in a day is more than ample time for a 1000 words.
As long as you have the time, it is possible to write a minimum of 1000 words a day. However, if you are doing intense research, too, it may take longer to finish, but you can still manage to write thousands of words in a day.
Different writers have different typing speeds. This speed is a product of experience, knowledge, and how fast you can generate ideas in your head before you put them down. Some people can write up to 6000 words a day with no qualms, especially when they have been doing it for a long time.
Can I Write a 2000 Word Essay In 3 Hours?
When a writer is knowledgeable about what they are writing about, they can easily write a 2000 word essay in 3 hours. However, if they have to do a lot of research about a subject matter they are writing about, then writing a 2000 word essay in 3 hours becomes more difficult.
There are many factors to consider if you want to type 2000 words in 3 hours. First, it depends on your skills and typing speed. For a proficient writer, all it takes is two hours to type 2000 words.
However, it relies on whether you need to research first; if you need to gain more information, you may take longer to finish the number of words. In contrast, if you know what you are writing about, you can effortlessly manage 2000 words in 3 hours.
There are some helpful tips to help you write faster. First, break down your work into segments; this way, you can set aside some time to complete each segment. By the end of the set times, you will have completed the entire task.
You can also create an outline for your researched work. Hence, you won’t need to keep going online to find answers. Lastly, taking short breaks is vital for your work. By doing so, you will regain your energy and maintain your motivation.
Is It Hard To Get a Book Published
There are two ways you can go about publishing your book; traditionally or the self-publishing way. Self publishing is not as hard as publishing traditionally, where you will need to find a literary agent, present them with your manuscript, and it will be their duty to help you find a publisher. Otherwise, you can find a professional to help you refine the book then self-publish it. Most people choose the self-publishing route since it is faster, and there are so many present avenues to assist you.
For instance, an online presence will come in handy to help you get started. You can post your writing or enter competitions; this way, you can easily grow your skills. Also, you can post your book for free to allow you to garner some great reviews first before deciding to sell. When you eventually decide to publish, you will already have so many readers’ support.
Conclusion
We listen to many people and read so many books about what it takes to be a good writer; regardless, there’s more to it than meets the eye. If you wish to become a writer, you can press on with all that we have discussed with your dream to become a writer or to keep writing. We have highlighted an overview of what is required to find writing a career like any other.
However, there are still some obstacles that you will need to overcome before you become a successful writer. But with the drive, passion, and willingness to learn, you will find writing very fulfilling, not only as a hobby but also as a career. Thus, we advise that you observe patience since becoming a great writer does not happen overnight.
