The Misery of Writing
Why do so many writers profess a hatred for writing?
Writing can be a thankless task.
I love writing. I truly do. But, like many writers, I often find the process of putting words down on paper to be difficult.
I want to call myself a writer. But when it comes down to it, I avoid writing like the plague.
Instead of writing, I’ll go for a walk. I’ll feed the dog. I’ll take out the trash. I’ll fold the pile of laundry that’s been sitting in the laundry basket for a week. I’ll rake leaves. I’ll begin house projects that should have been completed months ago. I’ll finally get around to cleaning out the car.
I’ll do anything but write.
So, with that in mind, can I really say that I love writing?
No, I can’t. When it boils down to it, maybe I can’t say that I love writing.
I’ve discovered that what I really like is the knowledge that I’ve created something—not the actual process of creating.
The American writer and poet Dorothy Parker put it best: “I hate writing, I love having written.”
Why are writers this way?
