Being a Professional Writer

Summary

Being a professional writer is a journey of discovery, doubt, and achievement. The process is far from glamorous—most of the time is spent thinking and refining ideas rather than writing. The first draft is often a mess, full of self-doubt, but through constant revision and feedback from editors, the work slowly transforms. Writing is both solitary and challenging, but the satisfaction of creating and improving over time makes it worth it. Despite the struggles, the joy of exploration, creation, and self-improvement is what makes being a writer truly fun and fulfilling.

Takeaways

• 😀 Writing professionally involves discovery, doubt, delusion, relief, and achievement.
• 😀 A significant portion of a writer's day is spent thinking, not just writing.
• 😀 Writing starts with researching and organizing ideas before typing them out.
• 😀 The first draft is often clumsy and incoherent, but that’s okay—it's just a starting point.
• 😀 Self-doubt is a common challenge when reviewing a rough draft, but it’s important to push through.
• 😀 The first draft is a place for exploration and experimentation, not perfection.
• 😀 Feedback from editors often leads to more work, but it's crucial for improving the writing.
• 😀 Writing can feel like a solitary job, and isolation can amplify self-doubt.
• 😀 Revising and improving the draft is an essential part of the writing process.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, professional writing is fulfilling because it involves continuous thinking, exploring, and creating.
• 😀 At the end of the process, writers can look back on their work and feel a sense of accomplishment, even if the job was tough.

Q & A

What is the main challenge of being a professional writer, according to the script?

The main challenge is the constant cycle of doubt and self-criticism during the writing process, especially when confronting the first draft and revisions.

What does the writer emphasize about the writing process?

The writer emphasizes that writing is mostly about thinking, organizing ideas, and constantly refining drafts. The process is not about immediate perfection, but about exploration and improvement.

How does the writer feel after completing the first draft?

Initially, the writer feels optimistic and convinced that the assignment will be a breeze, as the ideas flow easily. However, this confidence is soon challenged when the draft is reviewed.

What happens when the writer reads over the first draft?

When the writer reads the first draft, they are confronted with the reality that it is far from perfect. The draft is often incoherent and clumsy, leading to self-doubt about how to fix it.

How does the writer cope with self-doubt during the writing process?

The writer reminds themselves that first drafts are meant for exploration and experimentation, and that it's okay if they are messy. The focus should be on improving the draft step by step.

What role does feedback from the editor play in the writer's process?

Feedback from the editor is crucial for improving the work. The writer recognizes that feedback is meant to enhance the writing, not to hurt their ego. Sometimes major revisions are necessary after receiving editor comments.

What happens after the writer submits their work to the editor?

After submission, the writer feels optimistic, but often the editor's feedback reveals that more work is needed, sometimes requiring major changes to the entire assignment.

How does the writer describe the feeling after finishing the revisions?

Once the revisions are completed and submitted, the writer feels a sense of relief, as they have overcome the challenges of doubt and self-criticism.

What does the writer think about the overall nature of their job?

The writer enjoys their job despite its challenges, appreciating the opportunities to think, explore, create, and push themselves over and over again.

What does the writer find most rewarding about being a professional writer?

The most rewarding aspect is the process of discovery, creativity, and achieving satisfaction from the final product, even though the journey involves moments of doubt and struggle.