Monday, March 16, 2009

You're not a writer

Last night I was chatted up in a bar by some dude. Yes, I appreciate socializing, but this person was just lame. After he found out I majored in English, he started talking about characters and writing and how he'd like to write something someday. Two sentences later he also used the line, 'I'm a student of life.'

Do I even have to comment that this was a horrible conversation? Let me begin with the most important point: Wake up, people. Not everyone is a writer; not everyone can do it; it's not as easy as you think. Let it go, do what you are actually good at, and leave the writing to those who even have a modicum of understanding of the medium and who strive and sweat and laugh and cry over the art-form.

And a 'student of life'? Come on. What are you, a 60-year-old hippie? Who, by the way would have way more cause to used that hack cliche than a clueless 20-something. Gain some actual attributes and the proper adjectives to describe them. Not for me, or those who have to talk to you. For yourself, really.

1 comment:

ashley said...

I couldn't agree more with this post. I get particularly annoyed when people put "writing" down as one of their "hobbies" on a job app. or something. Really? Really?! A hobby? I'd love to have some sort of GOB response similar to the one about the expensive suits, "Like I'm going to hold the elevator for a hobby writer. Come on!" God, love that show.