How Hard Is Writing?

I like this quote by Thomas Mann, a German-born novelist, short story writer, essayist and Nobel Prize in Literature winner in 1929. His writing journey and amount of work he produced certainly gave him the insight shown here. 

Why is writing more difficult for the 'writer' than for others? I think it comes down to a true writer is striving for perfection. They are the ones hoping, dreaming, and praying they can sell what they write and are well aware only the best work is chosen for publication. 

The true writer also wants to offer readers something that will inform and entertain. The true writer puts words together with an intensity that the nonwriter cannot truly understand. He/she also understands how difficult it is.

The real writer cares about his/her writing. It's not a matter of throwing something together to submit to an editor. Pride comes into play. Think about it. What a writer produces and offers an editor is going to be opened wide to the public if it is accepted for publication. I wonder how many writers had mothers who said Do your best. Those early admonitions become habits, and that's generally a good thing. 

A real writer is concerned with reviews if they have a book published. It's much harder to write a book that receives four and five-star reviews than it is to hurriedly put something together and then maybe self-publish. Yesterday, I read a review in our Sunday paper of a nonfiction book that the reviewer thought had an excellent topic. He went on to say that it was a shame that it was so poorly written. Turns out the 'writer' of the book really was not a writer but someone interested and knowledgeable about the topic. The reviewer suggested he would have done better to use a ghostwriter. The ghostwriter would have most likely had to work a great deal harder than the guy who knew the facts but not how to put them together in a credible form. 

If you are a writer who finds writing more difficult than the average person, go right ahead and pat yourself on the back. It is harder when you're striving for perfection. But, in the end, it's worth all that it took to write something you're proud of.  

Writing--Difficult Or Easy?

Thomas Mann was a German novelist, short story writer, social critic and essay writer. His quote above might first leave the reader scratching his/her head. Read it a few times and some sense comes of it. 

The question is why writing is more difficult for the 'writer.' I came up with a few reasons:

• Writers know what can go wrong 
• Writers see with more critical eyes
• Writers strive for perfection
• Writers want to write right!

A writer puts his/her work on display for readers and editors. In some ways, it feels like we are leaving ourselves open for criticism but there is also hoped-for praise. Thus, we want to write our very best to curtail the criticism and foster the praise. 

Writers are more aware of what tools of their craft are helpful and which ones are not. We know that an ending that falls flat can deflate an entire story. We're cognizant of the importance of those opening lines. We know that cliches are the sign of a lazy writer.

A writer's eyes are more critical than a reader. A writer who is editing his/her work will find many places that need revising. Back to square one for some areas. If we could write a first draft that sings, we would find writing quite easy. It seldom happens. We write and rewrite and do it again until we reach a piece that satisfies us. 

Yes, writers do want to write right. We know that, to achieve that state, we must use the knowledge and skill we have acquired over time. So, yes, writing is more difficult for writers than for others. 

What if you belong to that second category--other people--and suddenly have a desire to write your family history or a series of family stories? Does the quote mean that it will be apple pie easy for you? Probably not. It does stand to reason that you would not be as self-critical as someone who writes for publication. In that respect, your writing will be easier. 

Give some thought to Thomas Mann's quote. How does it apply to you? Or does it?