Can Anyone Write? The Answer Is Not Really Simple
Updated: Dec 12, 2022
Writing has been something, nay, the only thing I've done for 10 years now. From creating basic-level content pieces for a construction website to working for one of the Big-4 consultants to being my own boss, it has been quite a journey over the years. Failing, sometimes upwards, was pretty common, but through it all, to mention an overused cliche, I'm better for it.
Through the years, I've been asked by many people, young and old, what were their chances of becoming a writer full-time. This is a complicated question.
Firstly, why? Very few writers become rock stars like Hunter S Thompson. In fact, I think he was the only one. Writing has a huge spectrum of choices, from being a web writer to a published author and everything in between. However, if you're in it for the money from the get-go, have I got bad news for you.
Second, writing, at the start anyway, is mostly about putting your heart and soul into something and having to see someone's name on the author section for a pittance. And getting up the next day to do it all again. The novelty of sitting at home making "money" quickly dies down.
Thirdly, you need the patience of a monk. The reason why I say this is that the most annoying thing about being a writer is that everyone thinks they can do your job better. I've seen this from "a month ago I was in college waiting for my results"-type SEO interns to top management people like directors. This is probably the last and the most difficult hurdle you have to cross.
Still here? All right, then here's another test - a (not-so-long) story that draws parallels with my culinary skills and profession. I promise there's a worthwhile message at the end!
Operation: Kitchen Storm
I live in a city away from my parents, and my wife and I make it a point to visit them once every few months. In the past, Amma (my mum) always made it clear that I needed to know my way around the kitchen. Being the proverbial mumma's boy, I didn't want to disappoint her. Open my room, walk 5 paces, turn right, and voila - kitchen. It wasn't easy, but I finally did it.
That semi-witty repartee (and me) was cute enough to work when I was all younger and by myself. Today, after being married and being on the wrong side of middle age, not so much.
Amma is a hardened feminist and, to the sheer shock and surprise of her son, chose her daughter-in-law's convenience over my peace of mind. She wanted me to learn how to cook.
Yes, I have a habit of making mountains out of molehills, how'd you know?
The O-Day
This time, Amma ensured there was nothing lost in translation too. "Get in the kitchen, or you don't get anything to eat." Reluctantly I agreed. My first task was to make an omelet.
Easy enough, right? No. No, it is not. I wouldn't be writing this if it were.
It took me all of half-hour along with a tornado of bowls, knives, chopping boards, earth-moving machinery, a hadron collider, and a few other things Amma didn't even know were needed for a two-egg omelet laid strewn across the kitchen.
The old adage goes—you can't make omelets without breaking a few eggs. Well, mine has to be special then because I broke a whole kitchen.
"So, what was the point of the whole story, which might have never even happened?" you ask. Well, my Omelet du Fiasco (shoutout to Dexter's Lab fans) story is parallel to people asking if everyone can write. They can. But, it will take time, might have all the chilies and onions on one side, and leave a huge mess which you will spend more effort cleaning up than making the damn thing.
Technically, I did make an omelet. But was it worth the time and effort I spent on it rather than focusing on something I could do better? Not really.
Selling Your Word-Omelet
Everywhere I see, people claim that they can write. I'm not some gatekeeper guarding the entrance to the lands of free words, but that's not the entire picture. Writing for yourself is completely different from getting people to buy what you're writing.
Once you get into freelancing or even a job that requires you to write, you will have a much better perspective of what writing is all about.
Will Someone Pay Me For This?
Thinking, "Will someone pay for this content?" has enabled me to consistently make improvements over what I've written over my tenure as a writer and editor. I'm in no way rubbishing the efforts of people to become better writers, I am too.
But the popular notion out there today is to just write and not listen to criticism because they're "haters." If I had 100 bucks for each time someone who can't string a sentence together in English sent back work because he believed it was mediocre, I wouldn't need to write for people like that. Hell, I wouldn't even have the pressure of making my own omelets!
And believe me, from being a pseudo-intellectual blogger, who used a thesaurus just to add 'intelligent' 5-syllable words to their posts 15 years ago, I know what I'm talking about.
So, Can Anyone Write?
Yes, also, maybe, or no? I don't have a clear answer. I'm what you call a one-trick pony. The only thing I do competently is write. I'm pretty decent at a few other things—graphic design, webpage layout, 3D modeling, and gaming. But am I good enough to get someone to pay for it other than my writing? Nope. Then again, brands also get people to buy shit like these tattered Balenciaga Shoes.
So, maybe it's a good idea for people to try it for themselves first? You can always reach me if you're looking for more input about writing.
Preferably not in the kitchen, at least for now.
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