I spend a lot of time around writers. Wether it be professionally or on a personal level. I am often struck with how much time writers spend alone. They seem to spend endless hours banging out words in an attempt to eek out a living. In order to write one would have to cloister oneself away so as to not be distracted. Do you agree,would you consider writing to be a lonely profession?
There are 2 sides to every profession I guess. For people who loving writing they have to accept the other side to it too. I guess there is no choice but to write alone. A writer has to find solace in the fact that he/she is at least in a profession they like.
Well said,I guess if one loves something enough,then that love would make them strong enough to combat the negatives.(lonliness)
Writing is totally a solitary profession. It is really important to create time in the schedule to get out and see people. Also, it helps with having more to write about when you get out and do things.
I think it depends on the person. If someone has business hours set they will still have time to do other things. However, if they are just always checking emails and taking orders it can be a very lonely profession.
I think a lot of writers do spend a quite deal of time alone. There are a lot of writers who are able to do their best work if they are in a quiet area on their own. I write, in part, so that I can be at home more with my children. I am never alone. But it is a type work that you must do "on your own" unless you are doing a collaboration.
@yecall Agreed,getting out and about would definatly give a writer more perspective and more material to write about...good point. @funmom91 Egads! If all one did was to check e-mails and take orders, writing wouldn't just be lonely but boring as well. @kcareconnections Yes,I guess if you have children about,writing would never be a lonely profession!
By nature writing is certainly a lonely profession. Yet I consider commiserating with fellow forumers or networking with like-minded members (should I say writers?) a break from isolation
I like the loneliness that comes with writing. If I could do it on a full-time basis, I would (and hopefully will!).
@Live2Write I very much like your username. As to your comment most here are indeed writers,but there are also a few wannabees like me on here. @FoxIX Interesting perspective,it hadn't occured to me that maybe some actually enjoy the solitude.
Not really. I spend just as much time seeking out and interacting with clients doing this as I did in my old job as an IT consultant, which was office based. Back then, when I did need to concentrate, I couldn't get people to leave me alone. At least now I choose when I take calls and meetings and when I'm writing I can focus.
@melanie.c.jones It sounds like lonliness is the last thing you have to deal with. I'm getting the perception with this thread, that every writer's experience with their profession is different.
for me no... if you love writing then it's not loneliness but happiness. it's a talent where you can share your ideas and thoughts. how i wish i have that skills too. good writers are smart. you can write novels, educational books if you want. maybe they said it's loneliness because most of the writers wanted to be alone for concentration.
@blogzer Yes good point,I do believe that many writers wish to be alone for the reason you have cited. To some being alone could be considered a positive.
Honestly, it depends on how a person takes it to be. I mean, it's subjective the way in which one feels about writing. The one who loves it will enjoy doing it and the one who is just doing it for a living might find it a really boring thing to do!
@NathanielFletcher And we have writers who start off loving it and end up merely banging out material to make a living. Enthusiasm then turns into a chore. When this metamorphosis takes place,are they STILL writers or......?
As a writer I spend a large portion of the day by myself, but I wouldn't say that I am lonely. If I start to get stir crazy, then I bring my laptop to Barnes and Noble and write in the cafe.
@jennifer.koebele I truly do admire anyone who can produce quality writing while being surrounded by distractions, such as one would find in a cafe.
In my case it's definitely a lonely profession. I'm usually working from home or on the road and as a freelancer I have few regular coworkers.