What People Get Wrong About My Job
When I tell people I used to write screenplays in Hollywood, their reactions usually land somewhere between “Oh, so you must know Steven Spielberg” and “Do you, like, just hang out at The Grove and write all day?” Spoiler alert: No, I do not know Spielberg, and while “hanging out” at The Grove sounds lovely, screenwriting (and any writing job, for that matter) is far less glamorous than the montage in your head. Think fewer chino-clad brainstorm sessions at Coffee Bean and more existential dread at 2 a.m., staring at a blinking cursor over an untouched Google Doc.
Writing for a living—whether it’s for film, relationships, or anything in between—is one of those professions cloaked in myths. So, let’s roll back the velvet curtain (cue dramatic Hollywood score), dispel some misconceptions, and talk about what this job really entails.
Myth #1: Writers Just Sit Around Dreaming Big
You know those classic montages where the “tortured writer” stares out over Malibu cliffs, scribbling down brilliant epiphanies in a leather-bound notebook? Yeah, no. Writing is work. Creatives, myself included, love to joke about avoiding writer’s block by deep-cleaning the fridge or binge-watching three hours of Bravo. But that humor masks an unsexy truth: the “dream big” part of writing happens sandwiched between moments of imposter syndrome and relentless deadlines.
For instance, when I was a script reader just starting out, my days were spent speed-reading piles of screenplays, scribbling notes in coffee-stained margins and hoping I spotted the next “La La Land.” Meanwhile, people assumed my job was to get wined and dined while I discussed “the magic of storytelling.” Spoiler: Hollywood doesn’t even wine and dine its biggest stars these days. At most, you get a kombucha from Craft Services.
So, if you think writing is a leisurely profession where inspiration magically strikes like a rom-com meet-cute, disabuse yourself of that notion right now. Instead, picture me scrambling for iced coffee at 7 a.m., dreading an editorial pitch meeting, while inexplicably wearing pajama pants.
Myth #2: Writing Isn’t a “Real Job”
Listen, I understand why people think writing isn’t “real work.” After all, it doesn’t come with a hard hat or a 9-to-5 punch clock. The product isn’t tangible. In fact, entire seasons of your favorite scripted TV shows were probably born out of 10-hour Zoom calls that barely accomplished anything recognizable as effort to the outside world.
But here’s the thing: creative writing jobs are deeply labor-intensive. When I transitioned from screenplays to relationship writing, I thought, "finally—a break from the constant rewrites dictated by studio executives." Instead, I found myself poring over psychology research to make dating advice both accessible and informed. Writing “Why Texting Can’t Replace Real Communication” might be fun and heartfelt now, but the effort behind those simple words? That’s the invisible part of the iceberg.
The next time you breeze through an engaging article or gasp at a killer narrative plot twist? Take a moment to give a silent applause to the caffeine-fueled madness that brought it to life.
Myth #3: Writers Live Glamorous, Insta-Perfect Lives
Here’s where I crush the fantasy. People hear “writer” and assume I’m breezing through linen-clad mornings, typing away on the balcony while my significant other makes French press coffee in the background. (If only!) My actual mornings? A confusing mix of questions like, “When was my last Shabbat dinner?” or “Did I order groceries, or have I exclusively lived off string cheese all week?”
Think of it this way: Writing isn’t as filtered as its Instagram lookalike. It’s messy, unpredictable, sometimes wonderful, but often downright frustrating. Sure, there are moments that feel cinematic—like when you happen upon the exact perfect metaphor while watching the sunset on Runyon Canyon. But more often, you’re rushing to finish a draft minutes before the WiFi temporarily cuts out, all while consuming enough oat milk lattes to individually fund your local café.
I once saw an interviewer ask Nora Ephron (queen of witty, poignant writing and one of my personal heroes) if she felt her writing life was like “When Harry Met Sally.” Her answer? A resounding laugh, followed by, “Absolutely not.” Same.
Myth #4: Writers Never Get Rejected
Let me be clear about this: rejection is writing’s middle name. It’s a permanent plus-one to the creative process. Whether it’s a screenplay that gets shelved (I once had a producer politely tell me, “meh”) or an article that runs with 80% of your edits cut, it happens all the time. If you want to be a writer, you have to understand that failure isn’t a side dish—it’s half the buffet.
In fact, back when I was still carving out my niche, I wrote an article offering “modern approaches” to first-date etiquette. Want to know what happened? It was rejected by five different editors. Five. By the end, I considered scrapping the entire thing. But rejection teaches you just as much confidence as it does humility. By draft six, I nailed it, and it was one of my most shared pieces to date.
So, no, rejection isn’t a fun part of the process, but it’s key. Every “no” makes the “yes” that much sweeter.
Myth #5: Writing Isn’t as Rewarding as Other Careers
Admittedly, there are times when I envied friends who left Film School to become lawyers, therapists, or architects. Their titles carry an undeniable gravitas. After all, nobody hears “screenwriter” and immediately wants to introduce you to their mom.
But underneath the exhausting deadlines, the soul-crushing rewrites, and the glamorous myth-busting, I love what I do. Writing—be it screenplays, short stories, or cheeky advice columns about love—comes with its own special kind of fulfillment. When someone messages me saying they revamped their relationship approach because of something I wrote, that’s as validating as any Oscar speech. When you create a connection or spark a shift with just your words, it makes the long nights worth it.
Plus, there’s something beautiful about working in a profession all about stories. Relationships, after all, are just tiny stories in motion. Learning to write better means learning to connect better, with topics, with emotions, and with the people in your life. So while writing might not come with a six-figure salary (or, let’s be honest, dental insurance), it does come with a unique chance to constantly reflect on what it means to be human.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
Writing isn’t a monologue—it's a messy, ever-evolving, highly flawed conversation. Despite what rom-coms might insist, it’s not glamorous, and it’s certainly not easy. But it is real, valuable work, built on equal parts grit and passion.
Whether I’m recounting my bizarre post-first-date antics or unpacking tips for long-term relationships, my job boils down to one thing: helping people understand their own stories a little better. And for all its toil and heartache, for every painful rewrite and dramatic sigh over my laptop, that makes it worth all the myths I have to dispel.
The next time you picture a writer? Don’t conjure up images of Diane Keaton in a picturesque beach house typing away. Imagine someone in yoga pants eating cold pizza at midnight, muttering about subheadings. That’s us. And honestly? We wouldn’t trade it for the world.
