Most writers write alone. Some collaborate, but for the majority it’s a solitary thing.
Do you like being alone? Those who tend toward introversion prefer solitude to recharge after the drain of being around other people. However, even the most introverted person is still a bit of a social animal; we all need company now and then.
Extroverted writers face a more complex dilemma. Their need to write compels them to work alone to complete it, but solitude exhausts them emotionally until they can recharge by being around others. There certainly are some extroverted writers, but it must be a struggle.
Being alone, of course, does not necessarily mean being lonely. Aloneness is a condition, but loneliness is an emotion under your control. If you enjoy what you’re doing while alone–writing, in this case–then you won’t be lonely.
Most writers would argue they’re not completely alone when they write. They’re surrounded by groups of “virtual” people. First are their story’s characters. For a writer who is “in the zone,” the characters can seem very real and almost present. Rather than feeling alone, then, a writer is actually transported to a different world, the world of his story, which might be very crowded indeed.
To some extent, writers also feel the presence of their readers. The writer shares the reader’s eventual emotional reaction to the story as if the reader is looking over his shoulder.
Lastly, while alone, the writer can also be “accompanied” by an editor or critique group member. Each time he types an adverb or mixes a metaphor or creates an awkward point of view jump, he’ll hear the disapproving voice of that person in his ear.
If you are considering becoming a writer, my advice is not to let the prospect of spending all that time alone deter you. If you have a story to tell and something inside is driving you to write it down and share it with the world–if the passion is that intense, you’ll welcome the solitude rather than fear it.
One note of caution: not only is writing a solitary endeavor, it is also a sedentary one. It’s pretty much the opposite of physical exercise. It requires hours and hours of sitting. Here’s my advice on dealing with that:
- Make yourself as comfortable as possible while writing, so you’re not straining any particular muscles.
- Take pacing or stretch breaks when you can so you’re not in one position for too long.
- Don’t eat while you write. Once you begin mentally associating writing with snacking, that will become your normal mode and undesired weight gain can result.
- Find time to exercise. It’s true that both writing and exercising consume time, which is precious for us all. But think of it this way–your eventual readers will want you healthy enough to keep cranking out more books! Besides, you might be able to take a small digital voice recorder with you as you exercise (particularly jogging or walking) so you don’t lose the ideas that occur while your mind is otherwise unoccupied.
In summary, sitting alone is what writers do. If writing is what you love, then you’ll be able to cope with the sitting and the solitude. On this and in all other matters, you know you can trust…
Poseidon’s Scribe
