(And what to do about it)
There was a brief time that I wanted to be a writer when I was a kid. As a single child, I spent my free time all alone in my room drawing or writing. It was only after ten that reading became a hobby.
I started writing when I was seven.
At fifteen, after being confident that I’m good enough (because my English teacher told me so) and constantly publishing for the school magazine and newsletter, I knew its time to make a career writing.
This was obviously after I wanted to be a fashion designer and then a pilot until I realised how much I suck at science and math.
My parents and I went to a career counsellor.
Even though all aptitude tests recommended me to pursue law, I wanted to give writing a try.
She told me I could be a journalist. And that’s the most ‘stable’ path for a writer.
I don’t think I have the nerve for journalism. It’s exhausting, has long hours, and doesn’t feel too safe for a woman in India. At least for me, I’d be scared to work at odd hours outdoors and cover crime. So I settled on mass communication, which again didn’t happen.
Long story short — I eventually became a full-time writer at 25 thanks to the Internet.
But I still read how people across age groups are finding it hard to write full time. Because what career path do we pick today?
A journalist?
Novelist?
Blogger?
Too many options are as nerve-wrecking as a lack of them.
The internet era has changed the entire ball game. It’s confusing for those who aren’t used to it. One of my students has been a theatre-play writer in New York for decades. And now he wants to write online, but it’s not easy.
It’s chaotic.
Post multiple times a day on Twitter.
Engage.
Provide value.
There’s so much content around us that somebody even with so much depth and knowledge of writing will find it difficult to adapt.
