I, of course, discuss writing at length on this writing blog... but how do you know when writing stops being a hobby and becomes a potential career?
Look. There's an unfortunate stigma attached to writing precipitated by our unflinchingly materialistic, capitalistic society that is going to haunt you no matter how writing is integrated into your life. Hobbies are not hobbies any longer: they are skills acquired either as transcript-steroids or as a means of making money. Writing is no exception--in fact, it is perhaps the quintessential financially-promising hobby. As Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman Politician hailing from the BC era, once said: "Children no longer obey their parents, and everyone is writing a book". Astonishingly, this quote still retains relevance today, especially now that everyone and their dog is trying to write a book.
And why shouldn't they try? With the proliferation of "how to" workshops and Do It Yourself projects into mainstream Internet, the public has taken it upon themselves to learn how to do... well, everything. Book-writing included. There are plenty of step-by-step guides available online that promise eager readers the ability to write a book within sixty days! (nonrefundable, of course). And while I am a huge advocate for writing of any kind (writing is the foundation of communication in our society and the largest proponent of literacy and eloquence), I can't help but wince when I stumble across these articles. Not only do they discount the efforts of other authors by advertising writing as a tool, not a skill, they champion a philosophy long since disproved by Ratatouille: Everyone can _____, but only few can be great (in the case of the film, this action was "cook"). Only few rats can be great cooks and only few humans can be great writers.
Not to sound cruel, of course. There is no shortage of mediocre writers capable of producing good work, however inconsistent. In the media, we are constantly bombarded by a dizzying variety of articles from numerous sources, penned by different authors of different backgrounds and with different abilities. We are always being exposed to writing and it is up to the individual to distinguish the good from the bad. Yes, there is bad writing. Yes, there is a lot of it. Yes, there are lots and lots of badly-written books. More than you think.
The book-writing trend is the culmination of Internet availability, presence of writing online, increasing access to books and literature, and the culture of the educated. Educated people, particularly those with wealth and stability, believe they are capable of writing a book because they're educated and perceive being able to write and publish a book as a status to achieve. This isn't the case. Sure, we respect our peers who have published journals or articles, because we view this as an accomplishment and an indication that they are well-versed in their field, but a book carries different weight. Having published a book doesn't necessarily indicate being well-educated or knowledgeable: it merely suggests that this person had some free time on their hands.
Time is another factor. A person whose family depends entirely on his or her income is not going to sit down and write a book. They might have entertaining yarns to weave or theories to share, but they aren't going to dedicate themselves to a book when they have to work themselves to the grave just to sustain their family. Only the most driven writers are willing to burn the candle on both ends just to churn out a story--Stephen King and JK Rowling, both of which lived in abject poverty during their lives, sacrificed sleep just to write between shifts. Consequently, book-writing is a hobby reserved for the wealthy, who are sustained by other means of income (ever wonder why so many moms are now publishing articles and running blogs? These high-end mothers are stuck at home while their husbands are at work and little Junior Sonuvabitch is at school, leaving them plenty of time to trade ideas for Halloween costumes and campaign for oblivious Republicans).
So, people have the resources to write books. You may be thinking; Wow, she's complaining a lot! What's so bad about people writing books? I thought she loved throwing writing in our face! Well, I do. I'm always to encourage people to write, because writing is an essential skill and a healthy vehicle for voicing one's opinions and feelings. Books, however, are a different story (haha, story). Books are a cultural touchstone, a culmination of the activities of a certain group or a certain era. They define generations and trends. They share information. They give us hope and comfort.
Why can't anybody write a book then? Doesn't every human being have something worthwhile to say? Well. No. They don't. And not everyone is born to write. While just about anyone can learn enough about writing to survive in society, very few have the skills to write something worthwhile or the time to nurture their abilities. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. People seem to forget that writing isn't just a basic tool: it's a craft. It is an art. Someone who cannot draw isn't going to try to paint the next "Starry Night". Someone who can't dance isn't going to audition for a Broadway show. When it comes to the arts, people are always willing to confess when they aren't talented in one field or another--except for writing. No one identifies as a "terrible writer", not on purpose at least. Writing just can't get no respect.
So how should you determine whether or not your writing is worth sharing? Consider this: do you enjoy writing? How much time do you spend writing? Are you willing to read and learn from other writers in order to improve your craft? Is writing special to you? How do you feel when you write? And, perhaps the most important question--what do you have to say? No amount of scintillating prose or education can rescue a book with no direction or purpose. You need to have a passion, a reason to write. If you write, you might have discovered your passion by now. If you haven't, don't worry: just keep writing and you'll eventually uncover a unifying thread that has bound all of your past work together.
This isn't to say that you shouldn't publish at all. Publishing is essential for any writer. This can be as minimal as having an editorial published in your school paper or posting a theory on an online forum. Like I've said before, fanfiction may be an embarrassing pastime, but if you're sharing it online, you're going to receive criticism and, as a writer, you will grow from having your work read. If you feel confident, feel free to have your work published on a larger scale and see what kind of reception you garner. Learn from it. Do not resist change. The world itself is governed by change, not stability, and your writing is the same. You have to grow.
As for that book you've been keeping on a mental shelf, give it some thought. If this post has inspired rather than discouraged you, then go ahead and open up a Document or take out some paper. Brainstorm. Draw up some outlines. Write anything about the idea that comes to mind. Are you getting excited? Do you feel like you're going somewhere? Great! Do you have something to say? Awesome! Do you have the time and skill to invest into a book? Excellent! Then it's time to get started. Who knows? Maybe you're one of the few who can be great.
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