Writing is a bleak endeavor. There may be fleeting joy in the final product, but that satisfaction is rooted in the past—much like how you might reminisce about a triumphant moment in a sports game, yet forget the grueling hours spent in practice, or feel a sense of pride for graduating from law school while dreading every single moment of that journey.
Joy in writing? Whoever suggests that has likely never spent endless hours fixated on a blank screen, plagued by the gnawing fear that the words you manage to produce will be deemed unworthy. It’s not just about the potential rejection from that unforgiving editor; it’s also about the financial strain that could lead you to juggle bills and cut back on necessities. All the while, the only outcome might be a return to the very well of anxiety and distress that some creative writing instructor once encouraged you to dip into.
I bet that person has never experienced the deeper despair of investing countless hours crafting thousands of words, only to discover they’re all wrong. The realization hits that you must start from scratch, rendering all that time spent as mere waste. As you reflect on what else you could have been doing—hanging out with friends, enjoying a good book, or watching TV—you’re faced with the inevitable cycle of rewriting anyway.
If you’re curious about who sought happiness through writing, consider Edgar Allan Poe, who was found in a delirious state on the streets of Baltimore and died at a young age. Jane Austen, although now celebrated, lived in obscurity during her lifetime, passing at just 41 years old, her epitaph neglecting to mention her literary achievements. Ernest Hemingway, who drank heavily for decades, ended his life in solitude and despair. And let’s not forget Mark Twain, who battled depression for over 15 years before his death in 1910.
Chances are, pursuing any other profession would bring you greater happiness than writing. I know many writers who struggle with depression, yet I rarely encounter individuals in trades like drywall or sheetrock who find themselves alone and drowning in sorrow over their jobs—at least not for those reasons.
And let’s not even begin to discuss the trials of being an editor.
This article was originally published on Jan. 22, 2015.
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In summary, writing often leads to frustration rather than fulfillment. While some may find satisfaction in the end product, the journey is fraught with challenges and emotional turmoil. If you’re seeking alternatives, consider exploring other career paths that may offer a greater sense of joy and achievement.