Being a Writer Sucks

[Kaitlyn Wierzchowski]

I posted this entry on my blog at www.3monthnovel.blogspot.com yesterday, when I was in a bit of a mood. I had decided that all hope was lost and I should just give up while I was ahead. That I should not even bother trying to write because it just wasn't worth it. Of course, I followed that up with working on my novel and then totally forgot about my vow not to write. Me not writing? If that ever really happened, I'd have to check my very existence!

Anyways, for shits and giggles, here is my angry rant:

Why does no one tell you that being a writer isn't all that great? You get these images in your head of being a creative genius, of spending late nights writing in your office and of reading your work at libraries and coffee shops. Yeah, that's not real.

I have a degree in English with a writing concentration and I work as an assistant manager at Walgreens. I get to deal with half-drunk drugged up customers who complain when their as-seen-on-TV crap doesn't work the way it said it would. I get to argue with irrate and violent men who belittle my cashiers and create scenes that make everyone around uncomfortable. I get to work every holiday, nights and weekends and then get bitched at if I collect any overtime (which is no longer allowed, even though I was hired at 44 hours a week).

And in the few moments when I'm not at work, I struggle to keep together any semblance of a social life and sit and write whatever pops into my head, knowing that no one will even bother to take the time to read it. Some of the circles I run in include artistic types but they seem to think that writing is not true "art." I learned that art cannot be defined, other than by the creator and the observer. But these "artists" claim that true art is the kind that goes on canvas and can be displayed on your wall and sells for thousands of dollars. If that's art, then I'm just a schmuck playing with fingerpaints.

I know. I know. Real artistic people are supposed to create just for the joy of creating. And most of the time I do. But there is a practical side to me, too. A side that would like a little bit of appreciation now and then. A side that would like to be heard for what she has to say (or type) and at least get some feedback or reaction. It isn't all about the money, but yes, getting paid for what I was educated to do and what I want to do would be wonderful.

Today I did some job searches and only came up with one...a job as a proofreader for catalogues at a corporate office more than 3 hours away from my home. Does that sound like fun or what?

Okay, I'm done ranting for the time being. Now I need to drag my sorry ass to work and try not to think about how much my life sucks right now. It sure as hell isn't easy, though.