Myths about creative writing

There are so many misconceptions about writing and publishing that I thought I’d sift through a few of the most common beliefs and see what’s true or false. Want to grab a coffee and join me? Alright then, let’s go.

Common myth 1: Everyone has a book in them

Nope. Afraid not. That funny yarn from Aunty Mabel or the odd thing you heard about Bob while gossiping in the office kitchen won’t necessarily turn into an entertaining fictional story.

Life experience can be a good source of writing fodder, but an engaging story still needs to have a plot. An interesting anecdote will fizzle out pretty quickly without a cohesive narrative.

Common myth 2: Anyone can write a book

Again, no. Ever thought about how long it takes to write approximately 80,000 words? It can take the best part of a year. Not everyone has the dedication to do such a task. It isn’t easy to make time to write on a regular basis. Yep, you heard me right – make time to write, not find time to write. If every writer relied on finding time to write, I’ll bet you nothing much would get written.

Common myth 3: my debut novel will be an instant best-seller

Sadly unlikely. Yes, there are a handful of authors out there who have had instant success with their first book, selling thousands, and rolling in royalties. For the majority of authors, however, the sales will only start to make an impact after several books.

Common myth 4: creative writing pays well

Once again, sadly no. Royalties will earn you very little per book sold: one or two pounds per eBook or paperback sold. But hey, it’s still nice to get something for your hard work writing, isn’t it? Even if it doesn’t keep a roof over your head.

Common myth 5: once my book is published it’ll be easy to discover

According to this article, over 2 million new books were self-published in the US in 2023. Making your book stand out is therefore incredibly difficult. Paying for advertising and savvy social media marketing are an author’s best hope of getting their book noticed.

Common myth 6: all of my friends and family will buy my book/be so proud of me

The picture above speaks volumes, I’m afraid…

Joking aside, from personal experience, some of my friends and family have supported my writing and they’re the ones who get name dropped in the acknowledgements of my books. Hurray!