Number one:
They have bad backs.
Number four:
Financial uncertainty. Writers don't get fixed wages.
Number seven:
Dan Brown, Dan Brown ...
Note:
Although as a children's writer mine are The Hungry Caterpillar and The Gruffalo - don't get me wrong I love these books but please book shop managers there are other good kids books out there.
However writing for a living (who am I kidding, I refer you back to number four) does have a lot of positives. So here are my ten reasons to be a writer:
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| Just two of my friends, Dog and Boris |
I get to create my own friends. Although they only live in my head I can have fun with them, laugh with them, cry with them. I was there at their 'birth' and just when I think they've grown up and left they pop back for a visit and insist on telling me a new story.
Two:
As a writer I get to share my imaginary friends with family, my real world friends and even people I'll never meet.
Three:
I can legitimately sit on a park bench musing, cogitating and pondering and call it work.
Four:
Family and friends are always eager to share amusing anecdotes with me and often will add "you can use that in your next book." And I have!
Five:
Writing is the cheapest form of therapy I know. When I'm mad I write, when I'm sad I write, when I'm happy I write and when I'm done for the day I feel better - even if what I've written will never be used.
Six:
As a writer I get to play. Play with ideas, the lives of my characters and with words.
Seven:
I can get your own back on someone by 'hiding' them in plain sight. They may never know but that doesn't matter - I refer you back to point five.
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| Tasha enjoying a game of ball |
Eight:
I can sit and work in my dressing gown until noon and not feel guilty because if I leave my keyboard I'll 'ruin the flow.'
Nine:
I'm never stuck in a traffic jam or have to de-ice the car. The most treacherous part of my journey is stepping over the dog as she sleeps.
Ten:
I get to plan my day. If I want to take Tuesday afternoon off to take advantage of 'cheap Tuesday' at the cinema I can. If I'm not working to a tight deadline I can take the dog for an extra long walk on a gorgeous sunny day and play ball. I can simply make up those hours later in the week when I chose to.
So that's my ten reasons to be a writer. Do you have any to add to the pot?
Lynne Garner
P.S.
I have three new distance learning courses commencing on the 6th July via Women On Writing:
