But I try to make sure they understand that writing, and even getting good at it, and having books and stories and articles published, will not open the doors that most of them hope for. It will not make them well. It will not give them the feeling that the world has finally validated their parking tickets, that they have in fact finally arrived. My writer friends, and they are legion, do not go around beaming with quiet feelings of contentment. Most of them go around with haunted, abused, surprised looks on their faces, like lab dogs on whom very personal deodorant sprays have been tested.
In her book "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life," Anne Lamott emphasizes that aspiring writers should not equate publishing success with personal fulfillment or validation. She cautions that while many hope that being a published author will enhance their well-being or provide a sense of achievement, reality often differs. Writing may not lead to the remedies they seek. Instead, it can leave them feeling disappointed, revealing that the act of writing itself does not solve deeper issues.
Lamott's observation reflects the struggles that experienced writers face, who often bear a burden of disillusionment rather than contentment. Her description likens them to lab dogs that have endured strange tests, illustrating their complex emotional landscape. Writing is portrayed as a challenging pursuit, one that doesn’t guarantee the joyous resolution that many expect, prompting a reconsideration of the motivations behind the desire to write.
