Misconceptions about your job are like bad first dates—they start with high hopes, quickly derail into confusion, and leave you wondering how it all went so wrong. As a writer, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to clarify what I actually do for a living. Spoiler: it’s not sipping coffee in a perfectly curated Instagram café while churning out novel-worthy content at the speed of light.

If I had a dollar for every “Oh, so you just sit around and write all day?” comment, I’d have enough to buy a lifetime supply of conchas. Writing for a living isn’t glamorous; it’s messy, intricate, and occasionally absurd. But it’s also deeply rewarding in ways most people don’t see. So grab your cafecito and settle in while I spill the tea (or café) on what people get wrong about being a writer—especially one covering relationships.

Myth 1: Writing Is Easy—You Just Type, Right?

Okay, imagine this: you’re on a date, and your date says, “Cooking is super simple. You just throw food in a pan, and voilà, it’s a meal.” Now imagine they serve you burnt spaghetti and call it a culinary masterpiece. That’s how dismissive comments about writing feel.

Yes, putting words together is technically straightforward. But writing is much more than hammering out sentences. It’s about finding the rhythm in your voice, crafting narratives that connect, and balancing authenticity with professional polish. Some days, the sentence gods bless you, and everything flows. Other days, you’ll write twelve paragraphs only to realize they’re the literary equivalent of soggy chilaquiles.

Writing about dating and relationships adds an extra layer to that challenge. I’m not just stringing clichés together—I’m digging deep into the nuances of human connection. Finding a universal truth about love while still keeping it playful and approachable? That takes skill, mija.

Myth 2: All Writers Are Inspired Geniuses Who Wait for Their Muse

Let me set the record straight: waiting for a genius idea to strike is not a reliable career strategy. My muse isn’t some ethereal being lounging on a cloud; it’s more like an impatient tía standing over my shoulder, asking if I’ve got my act together yet. Often, I write on deadlines where inspiration has no time to RSVP.

Here’s a real-world example: One time, I was writing about relationship deal breakers while in the middle of my own heartache. Not exactly the dreamy montage moment people picture when they think of writers. Sure, I felt like crying to bachata in the kitchen, but my job wasn’t going to wait for my feelings to align with office hours. So, I wrote through it, leaning on humor to bridge the gap between my personal struggles and the insight readers deserved.

The takeaway? Writing rarely comes from divine inspiration—it’s a mix of discipline, creativity, and, occasionally, just sheer stubbornness.

Myth 3: You’re a Relationship Expert, Right?

Ah, this one is a classic. People love to assume that writing about relationships means I have somehow unlocked the secrets of everlasting love and harmony. Or worse—they treat me like I’m their personal relationship therapist. I can’t tell you how many times someone has asked, “So what should I text him back?” while I frantically search my soul like a Magic 8-Ball for an answer.

Truthfully, I don’t write because I know all the answers. I write because I know what it’s like to stumble through relationships, sometimes not knowing left from right. My experiences—awkward first dates, miscommunications that could rival a telenovela, and heartfelt conversations that changed everything—are what make my work resonate.

I’ll offer advice, sure, but I’m not a wizard. If you’re waiting for me to tell you whether you should ghost the guy who collects antique swords, I can’t help you. But I will remind you that you deserve someone who doesn’t make you question your self-worth, medieval hobbies aside.

Myth 4: Your Job Is All Sunshine and Romance

The irony of writing about dating and relationships is that it’s not always rainbows and grand romantic gestures. Sometimes, I write about heartbreak, unspoken expectations, or how to stay sane when your abuelita asks for the millionth time why you’re still single. (For emphasis: porque no quiero, Abuela!).

And like any other job, some days… it’s just work. Reworking an article draft can feel like untangling a box of cheap Christmas lights—you think you’ve sorted it out, and suddenly it’s a bigger, messier knot than before. There’s also the challenge of keeping content fresh in a world with no shortage of think-pieces on ghosting or “the right way to flirt.”

That said, there’s an undeniable joy when a piece finally comes together. It feels like nailing a perfectly balanced avocado toast—rewarding, satisfying, and worth the effort. And when I hear from a reader who found advice helpful or relatable? That’s the churro with the dulce de leche dipping sauce.

Myth 5: Writers Don’t Have a “Real” Job

Oh, honey, let me tell you something. Being a writer is the realest of jobs. Sure, my office might involve a laptop and a couch, but it also involves deadlines, countless rounds of edits, and consistently putting myself out there for the world to critique. It takes grit to work creatively in a society that undervalues emotional labor.

What writers do isn’t frivolous—it’s necessary. Think about how often you turn to words to make sense of the world: a deeply personal essay, a hilarious article about texting fails, or even lyrics to your favorite sad banger. Writing sparks connection, reflection, and yes, sometimes even healing. If that’s not a “real” job, then what is?

So, What’s the Truth About My Job?

In a nutshell, writing is a hustle. And it’s a hustle I love. Sure, there are challenges, from deadlines to the occasional writer’s block pit of despair, but there’s nothing quite like telling stories that bridge the gap between “I thought I was the only one” and “Wow, I get it now.”

If you’re chasing a creative career, here’s my advice: embrace the chaos but give yourself grace. That’s what I do—whether I’m tackling an article about love languages or just surviving the latest tangle of editing notes. Writing, like relationships, requires patience, passion, and the occasional margarita.

And before you ask—yes, I still love what I do. Even on the messy days. Even when I’m reminding folks one more time that no, I don’t just “sit around and write” all day.