The Worst Lies You've Been Told About Writing

You have heard these lies before.
 
Either from critics, people close to you or even yourself. These are the lies that are slowing you to a halt. The lies which cripple your creative flow, break your self-esteem. In short, these are the lies killing your passion.
 
I am going to tell you why these lies should mean nothing to you.

Writing is a Waste of Time

​
FALSE!
 
The first lie you have heard or no doubt wondered. Are you wasting your time with writing? Is it worth the effort to spend months to years writing a novel? Could that time be better spent on a career others expect of me?
 
No, writing is not a waste of time. It takes time, but it isn't wasted.
 
I grew up in a creative home. A family of artists, musicians and writers knew this one simple fact.
 
Time spent creating is time well spent.
 
There are many activities you can fill your life with. Yet, what seems to be the most difficult for people is anything constructive. Writing is a passion for some, a hobby for others. Whether you decide to write on occasion or make it a full-time career, you are making great use of the time you have.
 
There are many people who spend their time browsing the internet. Hours spent on the search for momentary entertainment. Yet, those who dedicate even half-an-hour to writing are doing something with that time. At the end of those thirty minutes, they have something to show for that time.
 
No, writing is a great use of time. If you find your passion and can see the merit in giving it time, you are on the right track.

You Can't Write Every Day

FALSE!
 
When I wrote my first ugly draft, it was in two weeks. I sat down every day, wrote five thousand words. It was gruelling, but I was also bored. Not to mention I lacked access to the internet, which helped the process. Yet, writing every day wasn't too difficult.
 
If you consider that a once-off time, I recommend you stop by my blog. Since late October, I have been writing a short story every day. Something to keep the work ethic alive and productivity soaring. These short stories are all over a thousand words. These short stories vary in genre, as I like to experiment.
 
These short stories are not bringing me any money.
 
Yet, these short stories keep me writing, which does. I developed the habit of daily writing, even on the days I didn't want to. These short stories soon became something I was proud of. My personal challenge, my project. Having something to smile about each morning once the story's posted.
 
You writer every day if you want to. Do not believe the lie that says you can't. In fact, I recommend you writer as often as you can. If you want to make money, I recommend it big time. You need to develop a great writing habit, otherwise you fall into the trap. The trap of being unable to write anymore.
 
Don't break that writing flow for a moment, you won't regret keeping it up.

You Will Never Make Good Money from Writing

FALSE!
 
Those who write for a career write to sustain their living. Like myself, writing has become a career, not a hobby. I write for pleasure, but that writing also serves as my bread-and-butter. The article you are reading is about the truth, so here it is.
 
To make abundant amounts of money, you will need a huge following/a movie or series adaptation/friends in high places.
 
It is a lie that you will never make good money from writing. With a few dedicated fans you can make a decent monthly salary. Yet, if you want the big money, you need one of the above requirements. It should be obvious to most, but if you want more money you need more sources of revenue.
 
These sources can be a growing fanbase or other royalty schemes. If your story is great enough to swing a movie deal, I recommend you take it. That is a great source of income, no matter how the movie goes. Yet, if signing a contract with another company isn't your thing, there are other ways.
 
Building a fanbase takes time, but it is worth it. Your income increases with readers. It also helps to have friends in high places. There are plenty of famous authors promoting their friends works. Thus, the friend gets notice faster and generates more money. That is a massive boost in readers, making it easier to get noticed.
 
The most common way to make great money is to approach a publisher from the start. If you find a publisher who likes your book and wants to sign a contract, you have a chance to make it. Publishers handle the market if you lack skill set to promote your work.
 
These are only some of the best ways to make money as a writer. There are more.
 
Yet, that proves that writers can make good money. Whether you are a novelist or writer articles for other websites, you can live off of writing. I am not the only example and not the greatest example either. Yet, I can say without a doubt you can turn writing into money easier than you think.

Nobody Reads Anything New

​FALSE!
 
Now is one of the best times to become a writer. Many big-name authors are struggling to come up with a new idea, a new book. Some have become dependant on other sources of income. Skipping the books and going straight to the Box Office for the next big cheque.
 
With that in mind, the reading world is searching for their next novel. It can be a standalone or a series, but they want something to read. With that in mind, publishers need emerging writers to step forward. The shelves are bare as the same books make less sales.
 
Your book could fit on that shelf, no doubt about it.
 
When it comes to genres, the fantasy genre is booming. Plenty of writers are fighting each other to  be the next Tolkien or Rowling. Yet, that doesn't mean you can't join. A rising genre is thriller, so if darker tales are more your thing you could take part as well. Finally, another genre to generate a decent amount of sales in is non-fiction.
 
If you have a skill that someone else might be looking for, why not share with them. Non-fiction books are helping young and old readers with unfamiliar subjects. If you have any advice to give on anything, writing an in-depth guide might be your thing.
 
It is foolish to think people are only reading the Lord of the Rings or the old classics. The dedicated reader, which makes up most of your market, are always reading something new. As mentioned earlier, if you write books or articles, you have a market.

You Will Never Make it as a Writer

FALSE!
 
Now, this is a lie that most beginner writers tell themselves. There is so much going on in their life and writing seems like a dream. Whether you are a  young author or not, you can make it as a writer. There are so many cases of those giving it their all and making it.
 
That's what it takes, no matter which career your are in. You need to give it your all.
 
The number of writers, who try to make it, but only half-ass their attempts range in the hundreds of millions. Yet those who push, promote and jump at opportunity are sitting pretty as best-sellers. These are the writers you know and love. You can be one of these writers, but your dedication will be tested.
 
Once more, this is an article on writing truth. Here is a truth that might taste bitter, but it might push you in the right direction.
 
Writing may not be for you.
 
There is nothing wrong with that idea. The sooner you decide to do something else the better. Yet, if reading that made you cringe of a large part of you said, 'NO, IT IS', then you have all you need. You have that one important question answered. You are ready to make a go of it.
 
Happy writing!

Thank You!

​Dear Writer,
Thank you for finishing this article. I had a lot of fun writing it and I hope you truly enjoyed it. There are many things you will learn from the writing experience and the 150 above are only a few.

As a big thank you I would like to offer you something for FREE!
A writing course on how to improve your main character!

Click here to check it out your course.

In addition, if would like to receive more content, bonuses and some big discounts on future courses,  join the writers group here. 

Thank you very much for reading!
Kind regards

Matthew Dewey, Writer

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