People often walk up to writers and tell them that their career path is impractical, that they will not make enough money to support themselves, et cetera. These comments are so frequent and come from such a variety of sources that writers have become quite adept at brushing them off. If a writer is confident in her choice of profession, no amount of “you ought to be a wound nurse instead” will convince her to give up her dream.
It is other writers who tell her not to write that truly tear her down.
When one writer tells another writer not to write, it’s like saying “stop breathing, oxygen is just a social construct.” To the scorned writer, it is a blow so devastating that those who recover only do so because of strength of spirit. After all, if real people in your chosen profession say you aren’t good enough to get anywhere, why bother?
The other issue with writers silencing other writers is the narrowmindedness of it all. The beauty of writing is that anyone can learn and anyone can write. Sure, some are better than others – not everyone can be Shakespeare in the writing world, just like not everyone can be Beethoven in the music world – but everyone is capable of writing something. Just because you, as a writer, think you are more talented or more knowledgeable about the profession does not mean you have the authority to police it.
There is nothing honorable or just about shoving others out of what should be, and generally is, a loving community just to ensure your place on the Pedestal of Writerly Honor. There is nothing helpful about silencing the voices of those whose opinions differ from yours on the grounds that they aren’t cut out to be writers.
The position of writers in a writing world, especially to other writers who may be less experienced or still majorly learning (because, let’s face it, even experienced writers learn new things all the time), is one of respect and trust. Writing is such a lonely endeavor that we must have people to lean and rely on. To misuse that trust is abhorrent.
Here is my advice, then, to those of you who might exclude certain writers from our Wonderful World of Writing: stop shoving writers out. We get enough of that from agents and publishers, we don’t need it from our fellow writers.
Instead, try turning these moments into teaching moments. Take that writer by the hand and show them how you might go about correcting what they messed up, or even share with them tips and tricks you have learned along the way. Allow them to have a true, honest discussion with you, and actually listen to them speak. You may find something valuable in what they have to say.
Writing is all about trial and error. It is about constant learning and practicing. It is about taking whatever scraps of talent you may have and turning them into something magnificent with nothing but hard work and caffeine. It is not about cornering the market on writing ability, and it is certainly not about silencing the voices of those who do not yet know how to say all they want.
