The Myth of the Real Writer

[This is Part 1 of 2. Read Part 2 here.]

The Myth of the Real Writer:

It comes tapping at your mind, a harbinger of doubt and dread, whispering one of your worst fears: All of your attempts are in vain, and no matter what you do, you'll never be a Real Writer. It swoops in at odd times, maybe upon a dreary midnight, or after you've been napping, or while you're reading a book you love. Often it shows up as when you're in the middle of writing a difficult paragraph. Once it takes hold, it's hard to hear anything else besides its heart-wrenching, energy-draining refrain. 

It's time to break free from the Myth of the Real Writer.

What is this myth? It contains many components, a litany of absolutes about what Real Writers do or don't do.

Real Writers... 

• ...write every single day.
• ...get up early to write first thing in the morning.
• ...know the whole story before they sit down to write.
• ...write fantastic first drafts.
• ...never have to revise.
• ...write only by hand in Moleskine journals (or on typewriters or on laptops in cute coffeeshops).
• ...never have writer's block.
• ...never fear the blank page.
• ...are willing to sacrifice anything for their creative work.
• ...have read all of the Classics, all important contemporary literature, and everything in-between.

As I mentioned in my last post, I used to think I couldn't be a Real Writer because my creative process didn't match my ideas of how a Real Writer operates.

I thought:

I can't be a Real Writer because I don't write every day.

I can't be a Real Writer because I have to write a lot of nonsense before I figure out what I'm really trying to get at.

I can't be a Real Writer because sometimes I don't know what to write about.

I can't be a Real Writer because I haven't read Tolstoy yet and I forget the titles and plots of some major Shakespeare plays.

I can't be a Real Writer because sometimes my own writing bores me.

I can't be a Real Writer because I don't write as much in one day as other people do.

The list could go on.

What helped me to see beyond the Myth of the Real Writer?

First, I got to know more writers and realized that most of them struggle with similar issues.

Second, I discovered that every writer's creative process is unique. I learned that there's no universally "right way" to approach writing.

Even now that I know this, I still get tripped up on different versions of the myth. In my next post I'll share a story about how this happened to me just earlier this week.

What about you? Do you have a Myth of the Real Writer in your head, too? What does it tell you? And how do you respond?

---

Want to break free from your own Myth of the Real Writer?

Join The Word Cellar Writers Guild, an online community and resource center for writers. 

We have a library of writing modules (like self-paced e-courses) that focus on elements of craft and issues of the writing life, all to help you become the writer you long to be.  

Upcoming Writing Courses, Double Alchemy (and possible last call)

This class is amazing, and you are an amazing person and gifted teacher. ~ Ell C., Alchemy participant

Registration is now open for both Alchemy online writing courses. This will be the second time I've run Alchemy Inspiration: Start Writing and the fifth (fifth!) time around for Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing.

I want to let you know: This may be the final time I offer either one as an online course.

I love these courses and believe that they are truly useful in helping people find the sweet spot between writing technique and inspiration. But I feel my energy shifting toward some new projects for next year, and I can't promise that the Alchemy classes will be around again in their current form. This isn't a scare-tactic to get you to register, but rather full disclosure so you know that I might not run them again.

Details about both courses, including a special Double Alchemy discount are below.

Alchemy Inspiration: Start Writing runs September 1-30. This is a 4-week course designed to get you writing -- now! It's perfect for writers (or wish-to-be writers) who haven't written before, or haven't written in a while. In addition to a month filled with inspiration, writing prompts, tips and lessons, and other goodies like videos, guests, and a private online community, you'll also get an ebook of the content to keep. There is no formal feedback in this course because it's all about starting and gaining momentum. (But if you really want some personalized feedback, you can add a mini-mentoring session with me for a reduced rate.) I'm available to all participants during the course to answer questions, provide encouragement, and suggest additional resources. The course, community, and ebook are just $89. Get the full details and registration info.

Thank you for hosting this safe place to come, learn, share, be inspired and not be afraid. Thank you for offering Alchemy and Alchemy Daily. I continue learning ways to weave my words together and hope someday to have a tangible tale upon which to look back. Your teachings here have offered me more eggs to add to my creativity nest. I am excited for what is yet to come. ~ Kristina Wood, Alchemy participant

Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing is a 6-week course, and the next session runs October 15 - November 23. (It wraps up right around U.S. Thanksgiving, so you can be done just in time for the holiday madness goodness.) This course is perfect for writers in the intermediate to intensive stages of their writing life, and for newer writers who have taken Alchemy Inspiration. (Note: You do not have to take Alchemy Inspiration in order to take this course. But if you'd like to take both courses, there's a Double Alchemy discount.) Each week of this course is packed with core and bonus lessons, audio and video extras, a featured guest (with the likes of Brené Brown and Marianne Elliott), nuggets of encouragement, invitations to inspiration, and oodles of writing exercises to use as practice. There's a private online community where you can share your writing and support your fellow Alchemists. You'll also get an ebook of the lessons to keep. Plus, each participant has the option to receive personal feedback on a short piece of writing. This course is the full pot of gold, to use the Alchemy imagery. I created it to share everything I've learned from years of writing and years of grad school. The course, community, feedback, and ebook are $169. Get the full details and register.

Double Alchemy Discount

Double Alchemy! What does it mean? It's like two pots of gold at the end of the "double rainbow!"

What if you're ready to go all-out and register for both courses? Can you get a discount? Yes, you can!

Here's the deal: Some of the content in Alchemy Inspiration is also included in Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing. How much? No more than 40%. This means that at least 60% of the content in the longer course will be brand spankin' new to you if you take both courses. This includes additional topics, new lessons, new writing prompts, different guests, and much more. So... if you'd like to register for both courses, you can save a whopping 40% off of Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing. This brings the price down from $169 to $101. 

So how much for both courses?

Alchemy Inspiration: Start Writing -- $89
+
Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing -- $169  $101
=
DOUBLE ALCHEMY -- $258  $190

(You save $68. Or think of it this way: It's like getting Alchemy Inspiration for just $21.)

Register for both Alchemy courses here.

I am still amazed at the sheer amount of amazing (and totally usable/practical/universal) content you provided in Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing. It was so full of goodness. I'm not sure I conveyed how satisfying it was to take part and access your brain for those weeks of writing. ~Meredith Winn, featured Alchemy guest and participant

If you have any questions about either course, please ask. I'd love to see you in one (or both) of these sessions, especially since this may be the last time I offer them.