I thought it might be amusing to compile a list of the excuses I have used in the past to convince myself I couldn’t make it in the writing game. Some of these are old recurring themes, others have popped up more recently.
Here we go …..
- I haven’t been to university
- I’m too old
- I have tattoos
- I don’t have the talent
- I don’t have an agent
- My grammar is questionable
- I’ve only written two novels
- What’s the point?
- I’ll never be noticed on the slush pile
- I don’t have the personality
- My language is appalling
- My mum might be offended by my work
- I don’t live in London
- My characters are too coarse
- I used to be a bricklayer
- I have a physical disability
- You can’t write non-fiction and be a novelist
- People will laugh at me
- I might be successful
- Rejection will break me
- I’ll run out of ideas
- The novel is dead
- Screenplays are easier
- I’m not committed enough
- I’ve been arrested
- I don’t know Martin Amis
- I don’t have enough followers on Twitter
- People might find out what I’m really like
- There are too many novelists out there already
- My genius won’t be recognised
- My genius will be recognised
- No-one appreciates what I’m trying to do
- Television is the new literature
- I might get an ulcer
This is by no means a definitive list, but will give you some insight into the precarious workings of my over-sensitive mind. I hope this may inspire some of you timorous pen-pushers out there who’ve suffered a similar crisis of faith, to overcome your insecurities and keep at it regardless. After all, failure is only really a matter of perspective.
Be First to Comment