A Peek Behind the Curtain: What People Get Wrong About My Job

Like any romantic comedy montage, people see the highlight reel of what I do—a writer living the dream in Nashville, sipping coffee at sunlit cafés, tapping out touching essays, and tossing around witty dialogue for novels. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? But spoiler alert: Reality doesn’t always look like Carrie Bradshaw crossing her Manolo’d feet while fielding love letters from a MacBook. In truth, being a writer sometimes feels more like being the sad guitar in a country song—plucky, out of tune, and occasionally dropped in a rain puddle.

Let’s break down the myths—and the truths—about the curious life of a writer.

Myth #1: Writing Is Effortless, Like Breathing

Do me a favor. Imagine you’re on a first date, right? You’re sitting across from someone smart, funny, and unfairly attractive. You want to impress them. Suddenly, they ask you to tell the single most profound story you’ve ever experienced, but in a way that’s completely unique, tailored to their exact humor, and jaw-droppingly insightful. Oh, and it has to flow beautifully, too.

Now, multiply this pressure by a thousand because, spoiler alert, it’s not just one “date”—it’s the entire internet wearing opinions like cologne. That’s what writing feels like most days.

Contrary to popular belief, we aren’t stroll-through-the-park types with words flowing magically out of our fingertips. The hard truth is that writing is a lot less breathing and a lot more gasping—with occasional bouts of hyperventilation. Most of us edit sentences eight times only to realize the first version actually worked better. My drafts look messier than spaghetti after a toddler wrestles it.

And inspiration? She’s notoriously unreliable—like that one friend who always “forgets” to Venmo you for drinks. Writing takes grit, patience, and—let’s be real—a lot of caffeine.

Myth #2: Writers Have Glamorous Lives, All Champagne and Book Tours

If only. When people picture “writer life,” they often jump immediately to red carpets and New York Times bestseller lists. This version of my job looks a lot different—and involves more sweatpants. Spoiler: My actual “office” is my secondhand chair, and my cat, Loretta, supervises most of my work sessions (poorly, might I add).

Yes, Nashville offers atmospheric music cafés and charming porches to write on. But no, I’m not out attending headline-making parties alongside Reese Witherspoon while swapping literary banter. Most days, I’m juggling pitches, answering emails, and dodging the existential overeating that comes from stress-editing my own prose. Glamor is great for photo ops—my job looks a little more like eating peanut butter toast at 1 a.m. while Google Docs refuses to load.

Also, for every article or essay that people see, there are three rejected ideas in the trash pile. Not every sentence shines, and editors? They’ve got notes—lots of notes. If writing were some elevated, poetic ballet, then rejection would be the equivalent of me constantly falling over my pointe shoes.

Myth #3: Writers Only Write—And They’re Always Inspired

You wouldn’t assume a chef only cooks pasta. Sure, writers write, but calling that our only task is like saying Dolly Parton only sings. I spend more time researching, strategizing, and even networking with other creatives than actually putting words on paper (seriously).

Here’s an anecdote for you: Once, while working on a dating-themed piece, I “interviewed” myself in the mirror, trying to clarify whether a joke landed. (Spoiler: I made myself laugh and then promptly embarrassed myself for laughing.) Writing is less about words and more about wrangling life experience, creativity, humor, and actual human connection.

What’s more, the idea that writers are fountains of constant inspiration? A pipe dream. Sometimes I’m hyper-focused, crafting metaphors so sharp it’s like slicing a tomato with Grandma’s best knife. Other times, I stare at the blinking cursor for hours, wondering what qualifies as a “good” idea. Creativity doesn’t arrive on demand—she shows up uninvited at 3 a.m. or not at all.

To keep going, you learn to blend dedication with improvisation. You trust yourself enough to sit down at the keyboard anyway, even when every fiber of your being is tempted to rewatch Bridgerton instead.

Myth #4: Writers Don’t Have “Real” Jobs Goals

You know the stereotype: Writers are dreamers, nose-deep in their journals and oblivious to the clock. Romantic? Sure. Realistic? Not so much. Writing is a job—complete with deadlines, invoices, and pressure to perform consistently. Like any profession, it takes work—and refusing to fall for tropes about the “struggling creative” is part of crafting longevity.

Here’s how I approach it, and maybe you can, too:

  • Stay Organized: Color-coded calendars and regular schedules may not feel creative, but they keep me on track. This isn’t about boxing in ideas but giving myself a structure to honor my deadlines.
  • Treat Your Work Seriously: When people ask about my job, I don’t downplay it as “just writing.” I talk openly about the grit involved—as well as the joy. Owning the process gives it value.
  • Find Supportive Communities: Much like dating, every writer needs a great support system—be it understanding friends or fellow artists who won’t roll their eyes when you dissect plot structure for the billionth time.

Work is work, my friends. And yes, work can be messy or slow or full of setbacks—but at the end of the day, there’s an almost magical satisfaction that comes from finishing something meaningful.

So, What Does This All Teach Us?

A writer’s life is far from the champagne-flute fantasy so often depicted in movies. It’s a delightful blend of chaos and beauty, fueled by an obsession with understanding people and telling their stories. The behind-the-scenes truths might not always look glamorous, but they are entirely worth it—in a messy, unexpected, and deeply personal way.

And isn’t that the remarkable thing about connection, whether in writing or relationships? The hard work behind the curtain is what keeps it honest and real. Because, let’s face it, life’s best stories are in the messy details—not in the highlight reel.

So here’s to the dreamers with messy drafts and big visions—and to all of us, crafting stories worth telling.