Writing Is Not Life-threatening


Some writers complain that writing is arduous work requiring long hours and little pay, which is often true especially for freelance fiction writers. Today, everyone wants to be a writer and with word processors and computers it is easy to put thoughts down, but it is not always effortless to be published unless one self-publishes or uses a vanity press.

Neverthe less, writing although demanding, is not life threatening. Yes, it is a lonely occupation as the writer sits alone at the keyboard and pours forth his/her ideas. Many more occupations or vocations are more dangerous than sitting before a monitor and looking at the screen as letters, words, sentences, paragraphs, and composition unfold before the writer's eyes. The most dangerous effects are eye strain, muscle fatigue, and carpal. Sometimes, back strain is an occupational hazard due to poor posture or poor equipment, it's not like the military where digging a trench under fire can be common.

Writing, on the other hand, is fulfilling in some way. Some write for money, some for recognition, some for enjoyment, and others to leave a legacy, usually a book that will outlive them or be passed on to their progeny. Most write because the like to express themselves in a way that is unique and satisfying. In any case, the writer feels some need that must be satisfied.

Writing as a career does have it hazards. If it is needed to provide revenue to maintain life, it can be frustrating. Writers who are salaried find that the pay is low and usually insufficient although over time it may rise if the writer stays long enough with the employer be it a newspaper, a magazine, a trade, or other organizations that uses the services of a writer. Freelancers probably are more thwarted in their attempts to earn a satsifying income. Their earnings usually fluctuate greatly of a year.

Even so, all writers need to be fulfilled and satisfied by what they do whether they are salaried, freelance, or writing for personal gratification. They must feel that the writing life is a good life!

Charles O. Goulet had a BA in history and a BEd in English literature. Several of his historical novels have been published and are available at Amazon.com. Amazon.ca, Barnes and Noble, and many other bookstores.

His website is: http://www.telusplanet.net/public/go1c
His blog is:http://go1c.blogspot.com


MORE RESOURCES:

'Becoming Americans': Immigrant writing
San Francisco Chronicle
... short stories, novel excerpts, poems, letters and bits of memoir that this anthology of "Four Centuries of Immigrant Writing" collects. ...



Local man wins prize in writing competition
Iowa City Press Citizen
A local man has won a runner-up prize in an international competition for writing. Zach Falcon, 37, of Iowa City, earned the recognition for his story "The ...

and more »


Writings left behind by Vonnegut
Philadelphia Inquirer
As for writing left behind at his death, here we have Look at the Birdie, a collection of previously unpublished works that Vonnegut wrote in the 1950s or ...



Idaho writing Race to the Top application
KIVI-TV
AP - November 22, 2009 9:04 AM ET BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Idaho hopes to win $75 million or more in competitive federal grants for public schools, ...

and more »


Teacher 'suspended over 9/11 creative writing task'
Telegraph.co.uk
... Oxclose Village Primary School in Washington, Tyne and Wear, after their children reportedly came home in tears following the creative writing lesson. ...

and more »


West Ottawa implements curriculum that focuses on writing skills
HollandSentinel.com
Lucy Calkins writing curriculum — already in use by Holland Public Schools — is one of the latest trends in writing education, as teachers instruct students ...



PerezHilton.com (blog)

Steven Tyler Is Just Writing A Book! No Drugs (Allegedly)
PerezHilton.com (blog)
A spokesman for Steven Tyler has said that the Aerosmith frontman is just taking a quick break due to a shoulder injury and he is working on his ...

and more »


Prof finalist for fiction writing
Sioux City Journal
Tricia Currans-Sheehan's "The River Road: A Novel in Stories" was named a finalist in fiction and received Honorable Mention in the Nashville Book Festival ...

and more »


Baltimore Sun

An appreciation for Sister Maura
Baltimore Sun
Here's an excerpt: Sister Maura considered writing to be work, and if nothing else, I was going to learn the value of that work during my numerous courses ...

and more »


Showbiz Spy

Steven Tyler Writing a Book
Showbiz Spy
STEVEN Tyler says he's taking time off from Aerosmith to write a book while his injured shoulder heals. The frontman sustained the injury after falling off ...

and more »

Google News

Home | Articles Site Map