With the global jobs market shrinking, many people across the world are turning to writing as a part-time or full-time source of income. And why not? Writing is something virtually anyone with interest and motivation can do successfully. Especially with access to proper guidance. Prospects however vary from one location to another. This article discusses 3 realities aspiring writers in different socioeconomic environments may have to contend with in their pursuit of paid writing success.
1. Reading and Writing Go Together
You cannot have one without the other. Many writers draw inspiration from reading the writing of contemporaries, and sometimes from studying the works of writers from earlier times e.g Shakespeare etc. The latter were mostly thought leaders in their time, and communicated their ideas and philosophies mainly through writing and public speaking debates.
“Reading usually precedes writing and the impulse to write is almost always fired by reading. Reading, the love of reading, is what makes you dream of becoming a writer.” – Susan Sontag
I got a good laugh few years ago when I read a newspaper interview in which Chimamanda Adichie, award winning author of Purple Hibiscus highlighted the faulty reasoning holding some aspiring authors back.
She gave the example of a young man who requested for her help to improve his writing. When she asked him what books he had read, he replied that he did not have time to read!
She promptly told him a writer who cannot make out time to read, cannot reasonably expect to achieve any worthwhile progress in writing.
Very true.
2. Thinking Is Essential To Ensuring Quality Reading & Writing
In between the reading and writing, a lot of thinking often has to happen. And it is that thinking process, when diligently done by the writer that enables her turn out what will be considered a new or unique body of writing to complement what already exists.
It does not matter what your field of writing interest is. These principles are universally relevant. And anyone who wishes to make headway in writing will have to apply them diligently.
To appreciate good writing, readers will often need to be comfortable with doing a reasonable amount of thinking. An aversion for reflective thinking generally makes reading a burdensome task for most people. One reason for that is the poor introduction many get to reading in the formal schooling system.
3. Reading Cultures Determine Viability of Writing As a Profession
Not surprisingly, some of the best writing (and writers) in the world come(s) from parts of the world where a healthy reading and thinking culture exists.
Generally, writing for a living in such climes confers an amount of prestige, and depending on a number of other factors, the financial rewards can be substantial.
On the other hand, societies with poor reading and thinking cultures tend to have writing as a profession looked down upon by the larger majority. This is understandable, and to be expected, since writers out there are unlikely to command enough readership to earn enough income for their efforts.
However, some writers who originate from such societies, if driven enough by desire, can (and have) successfully exported their writing abroad, where they consequently earn(ed) great recognition and reward for their works at an international level.
Ironically, back home their people will readily celebrate such writers’ successes, but it rarely influences them to improve their poor reading habits.
A striking example is the internationally accomplished dramatist and playwright whose books, 2 decades after he won the Nobel prize for literature, have still not been read by an overwhelming majority of adults in his native country!
Final Words: Your Success Is Up To You
Having said the above, it ultimately boils down to the individual, and how far she’s willing to go to succeed.
The Internet has removed the barrier of distance from the equation for most people, making it easy for them to showcase their written works, and skills, to a potentially unlimited audience, regardless of where the writer is based.
Therefore, if you are a writer, or one aspiring, the sky is literally speaking truly your limit. Just do plenty of good reading and thinking, and turn out your written works of art for paying clients and customers to enjoy!