8 answers
Annika
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
465 views
Why is it worth it to become a writer?
Hi, I’m Annika, I’m from Arizona, I am in middle school, and trying to figure out more details about being a writer.
Why is it worth it to become a writer?
How many hours do writers usually spend writing a week?
8 answers
Roger Maxwell
Freelance Writer
10
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Roger’s Answer
Hey Annika,
I'm in Arizona too - Phoenix.
For me writing is as neccessary as eating. I bitten by the writing bug in high school - 46 years ago! Enough about me...
You've gotten some great answers from the others.
But I'm curious about your questions: figuring out more details, and if it's worth it.
Are you trying to figure out if being a writer is something you want to be as a profession, rather than a teacher or lawyer? Or is it becuase you love english and grammar, and love messing with words - forming them together a sentence? Or is it because you love to read and are wondering how much moolah you can make writing novels or short stories?
Perhaps you have a journal. And you love writing in it so much, and thought, "Hmm... I wonder if I can make money just writing all the time."
Regarding why writing is "worth it"... depends on what you mean by "it". When I was a kid and would ask, "Is it worth it?" I meant what would I get out of the deal.
Well Annika, writing is art. Ask a musician, a painter, or a sculpturer, the same question and you'll get different answers. Because the "worth it" comes from something inside. An emotion. A passion.
Although, I guess you could ask that question to someone in any profession who has a passion for it.
It has to do with "values" - now were moving into deeper waters!
Again, is writing something you love to do, that you "want" to do, or something you "have" to do because it's neccessary for school and chatting with friends? That will determine it's "worth" - to you.
For me, I look for opportunities to write because I "want" and "love" to do it. So it's "super worth it" to me, but maybe not to someone else.
During the writing of my second novel, writing was "worth more", than exercise. I hardly exercised during those 4 years, and didn't really care.
I'm the happiest when I'm writing. It's good for me - and my brain.
I can't say that for a lot of things.
Some questions I would ask myself, is: "Do I find writing "worth it"? What does writing mean to me?
One more thing ... if you mean "worth it" as, making a good living as a writer. I would say ... depends on what kind of writing. Writing books of fiction or non-fiction is a hard road to travel if you want to make a living at it. I don't know much about script writing... However, you can make a lot of money as a copywriter, and can make a living writing as a journalist, or for an agency, for instance.
If you love writing, don't think about the money. Just write. If you're trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up, you still have time to work that out.
Write me if you have any more questions?
Ciao,
Roger
I'm in Arizona too - Phoenix.
For me writing is as neccessary as eating. I bitten by the writing bug in high school - 46 years ago! Enough about me...
You've gotten some great answers from the others.
But I'm curious about your questions: figuring out more details, and if it's worth it.
Are you trying to figure out if being a writer is something you want to be as a profession, rather than a teacher or lawyer? Or is it becuase you love english and grammar, and love messing with words - forming them together a sentence? Or is it because you love to read and are wondering how much moolah you can make writing novels or short stories?
Perhaps you have a journal. And you love writing in it so much, and thought, "Hmm... I wonder if I can make money just writing all the time."
Regarding why writing is "worth it"... depends on what you mean by "it". When I was a kid and would ask, "Is it worth it?" I meant what would I get out of the deal.
Well Annika, writing is art. Ask a musician, a painter, or a sculpturer, the same question and you'll get different answers. Because the "worth it" comes from something inside. An emotion. A passion.
Although, I guess you could ask that question to someone in any profession who has a passion for it.
It has to do with "values" - now were moving into deeper waters!
Again, is writing something you love to do, that you "want" to do, or something you "have" to do because it's neccessary for school and chatting with friends? That will determine it's "worth" - to you.
For me, I look for opportunities to write because I "want" and "love" to do it. So it's "super worth it" to me, but maybe not to someone else.
During the writing of my second novel, writing was "worth more", than exercise. I hardly exercised during those 4 years, and didn't really care.
I'm the happiest when I'm writing. It's good for me - and my brain.
I can't say that for a lot of things.
Some questions I would ask myself, is: "Do I find writing "worth it"? What does writing mean to me?
One more thing ... if you mean "worth it" as, making a good living as a writer. I would say ... depends on what kind of writing. Writing books of fiction or non-fiction is a hard road to travel if you want to make a living at it. I don't know much about script writing... However, you can make a lot of money as a copywriter, and can make a living writing as a journalist, or for an agency, for instance.
If you love writing, don't think about the money. Just write. If you're trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up, you still have time to work that out.
Write me if you have any more questions?
Ciao,
Roger
Tramaine Dowell
Program Manager
2
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Tramaine’s Answer
I am a playwright and have been my whole life, even before I realized it. I was writing letters to my mom and friends and then graduated to writing plays for audiences. I write because I love to tell stories from my point of view and give an audience a glimpse into my world/imagination. It is worth it to me because it allows me to have an outlet and see things through a different lens. So, ask yourself this: why do I like to write? How does my voice bring a new/different perspective?
Your voice is unique and should be heard/shared. Whether you write for fame, pleasure, career, or hobby...being a writer allows you to put a voice to different spin on shared experiences.
In regards to how many hours can you spend writing, that all depends. I always try to carry paper and pencil with me for those moments when inspiration strikes. Then, there are moments when you have to be disciplined. Try to write every day, even if it's just for 15 minutes a day. That helps to build your writing muscles. Next thing you know, that 15 turns into 30, turns into an hour...you get lost in what you are creating.
Happy writing and do it because it is an extension of you!
Your voice is unique and should be heard/shared. Whether you write for fame, pleasure, career, or hobby...being a writer allows you to put a voice to different spin on shared experiences.
In regards to how many hours can you spend writing, that all depends. I always try to carry paper and pencil with me for those moments when inspiration strikes. Then, there are moments when you have to be disciplined. Try to write every day, even if it's just for 15 minutes a day. That helps to build your writing muscles. Next thing you know, that 15 turns into 30, turns into an hour...you get lost in what you are creating.
Happy writing and do it because it is an extension of you!
Nathaniel Hohl
Writer
1
Answer
Framingham, Massachusetts
Updated
Nathaniel’s Answer
Hi Annika, great question!
Firstly, and this is probably a bit obvious, the amount of worth there is in becoming a writer depends largely on how much you enjoy writing.
Writing is a skill, which means it needs to be honed over time (ideally while you're still young), but I'd also say it's a craft that one can never fully master. This is largely because there are so many different *types* of writing, some more creative, others more technical. If you think about your favorite fiction books by your favorite authors, that's more creative writing. And those textbooks you read at school? That's more technical writing.
If there's something you feel so strongly about that you feel you just *have* to share your thoughts by writing them down, congratulations, you're a writer! You might write about one of your favorite hobbies, or your experiences traveling to distant places, or a person you admire, or maybe even the food you eat. The point is that you're writing because you enjoy it, not simply because you feel obligated to.
As for the amount of hours a week a writer spends actually writing, that can depend on what their specific writing career is. An author writing a book spends a lot of time writing and rewriting individual chapters, while a marketing writer at a big company will work on many different writing assignments across multiple projects. Writers also spend a lot of time honing other writing-adjacent skills like editing and proofreading. And for certain professions, they might develop other skills as well (technical writers and journalists, for example, routinely interview other people and then write based on what they're told during the interview).
I'm gonna stop now since I know one of my faults as a writer is getting a little long-winded in my responses, but that's mostly because I enjoy discussing the art of writing so much. I hope I was able to answer your questions to a satisfying degree, and good luck with all your school endeavors!
Firstly, and this is probably a bit obvious, the amount of worth there is in becoming a writer depends largely on how much you enjoy writing.
Writing is a skill, which means it needs to be honed over time (ideally while you're still young), but I'd also say it's a craft that one can never fully master. This is largely because there are so many different *types* of writing, some more creative, others more technical. If you think about your favorite fiction books by your favorite authors, that's more creative writing. And those textbooks you read at school? That's more technical writing.
If there's something you feel so strongly about that you feel you just *have* to share your thoughts by writing them down, congratulations, you're a writer! You might write about one of your favorite hobbies, or your experiences traveling to distant places, or a person you admire, or maybe even the food you eat. The point is that you're writing because you enjoy it, not simply because you feel obligated to.
As for the amount of hours a week a writer spends actually writing, that can depend on what their specific writing career is. An author writing a book spends a lot of time writing and rewriting individual chapters, while a marketing writer at a big company will work on many different writing assignments across multiple projects. Writers also spend a lot of time honing other writing-adjacent skills like editing and proofreading. And for certain professions, they might develop other skills as well (technical writers and journalists, for example, routinely interview other people and then write based on what they're told during the interview).
I'm gonna stop now since I know one of my faults as a writer is getting a little long-winded in my responses, but that's mostly because I enjoy discussing the art of writing so much. I hope I was able to answer your questions to a satisfying degree, and good luck with all your school endeavors!
Leroy Brown
college graduate (Unemployed)
2
Answers
Pueblo, Colorado
Updated
Leroy’s Answer
What is a writer? that is a question that you must answer before becoming a writer. Writing is one form of communication that is crucial for the positive progression of society. I can tell you what makes becoming a writer worth it for me. However, it will require you to do deep reflection and hours of writing to figure out what makes it worthwhile for you. We are all unique and come to writing from a diverse range of perspectives. so to answer why is it worth becoming a writer would be limiting innovation in writing and restrictive writing is more than a narrow definition or set of criteria. one crucial aspect is the writing involves a writer, a written language, and some device to write with and write on.
Aaden Williams
6
Answers
Updated
Aaden’s Answer
Writing is a way for you to express feelings in a safe space, and it allows you to expand your creativity in unimaginable ways that have no limits on what you can do, which I love the most. And all you need is a pen and paper to write whatever topic you have in mind to write anything imaginable.
When it comes to how much time a writer spends a week, what you are writing depends, and it's crucial to factor in how much time you write per day or the word count you can do. Writers often spend 4-6 hours a day writing, which may translate to 28-50 hours per week. Sometimes it can take as little as 15 minutes or hours to write a story or even months to complete, especially a novel.
I hope these answers were helpful to you to your questions.
When it comes to how much time a writer spends a week, what you are writing depends, and it's crucial to factor in how much time you write per day or the word count you can do. Writers often spend 4-6 hours a day writing, which may translate to 28-50 hours per week. Sometimes it can take as little as 15 minutes or hours to write a story or even months to complete, especially a novel.
I hope these answers were helpful to you to your questions.
Talia Roepel
Author / Article Writer/ Professor
29
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Talia’s Answer
Why is it worth it to be a writer? For me, it's because I can never stop writing. I love to do it. It was my hobby first before it became my career.
How many hours a week you spend writing is up to you and your career path. For some it's a full-time, 40-hour a week job. There are many specialties you can take to become a writer. Look into some of these options:
- Book author
- Content writer for websites
- Journalist
- Narrative designer
- Copywriter
- Technical writer
How many hours a week you spend writing is up to you and your career path. For some it's a full-time, 40-hour a week job. There are many specialties you can take to become a writer. Look into some of these options:
- Book author
- Content writer for websites
- Journalist
- Narrative designer
- Copywriter
- Technical writer
Robert Fiorella
Have been a teacher, counselor, professional comedian and a few more.
9
Answers
Amherst, New York
Updated
Robert’s Answer
THE BIGGEST REASON IS THE MONEY! Expressing yourself is great and very meaningful, but the only way to be independent is to earn money. So, love writing and do it every day. Keep a diary for practice. Write what you know about and have a good time. But when you collect that first advance or get that first royalty check you’ll go nuts with happiness.
Admin note: This advice was slightly edited to fit our Community Guidelines.
Admin note: This advice was slightly edited to fit our Community Guidelines.
madeline wyatt
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
madeline’s Answer
Hi Annika! It's wonderful to hear that you're interested in becoming a writer. Writing offers a myriad of rewards, making it worth pursuing for many aspiring authors. As a writer, you have the unique opportunity to express yourself creatively, share your unique perspective with the world, and connect with others on a profound level. Through storytelling, you can inspire, entertain, and even provoke thought, leaving a lasting impact on your readers. Embracing writing as a craft also allows for personal growth and self-discovery, making it a deeply fulfilling endeavor.
Remember, becoming a writer is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to realizing your dreams. Embrace the process, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of your voice. And don't forget to explore "The Uncherished Gift" within your writing journey – it may lead you to unexpected treasures along the way!
Remember, becoming a writer is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to realizing your dreams. Embrace the process, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of your voice. And don't forget to explore "The Uncherished Gift" within your writing journey – it may lead you to unexpected treasures along the way!
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