It’s hard to know your place as a writer, especially in those early years. We often grapple with imposter syndrome (believing that we are unworthy of our pursuits because we are simply pretending), and then we spend a lot of time pretending to know more than we actually do. Eventually, we all find our place, whether it’s a good or bad one.
Today’s quote comes from Mark Twain and delves into the idea of writing as a profession:
“Write without pay until someone offers to pay. If nobody offers within three years, the candidate may look upon this as a sign that sawing wood is what he was intended for.”
Now, this quote is interesting and thought-provoking for a few reasons.
Why it’s interesting
First, it’s interesting because it condenses the long and often uncertain journey of writing into an “either you will or you won’t” path to success. Either you will start making money soon after beginning, or you might consider returning to your day job.
I believe Twain is abstractly touching on a universal point of anxiety for most writers: when do we become writers, and how do we measure our success?
Why it’s problematic
As with many aspects of life in the US, success is often measured by the amount of money one earns, which can be a flawed way to gauge the value of a creative pursuit. For example, this blog has earned me exactly zero dollars, but I continue to do it because I find it fulfilling, particularly in the realms of reading and writing.
Moreover, a writer’s professionalism can’t solely be measured by financial success. Many artists have toiled in relative obscurity throughout their lives with little or no financial gain, but that doesn’t mean they needed to abandon their creative pursuits and return to their day jobs. Notable figures like Emily Dickinson, Franz Kafka, and Edgar Allan Poe experienced limited financial success during their lifetimes, yet they remained dedicated to their craft.
Conclusion
Twain suggests that within three years, we will have an answer as to whether we will be writers or not. However, considering what we now know about Twain, we can infer that he is likely poking fun at the idea of writing as a profession. Still, how many of you read that quote and found yourselves reflecting on how many years it has been since you began writing?
Don’t let it discourage you. Writing is about staying focused and pursuing something you love without compromising your passion. Enjoy the journey!
