Writers feel they must overachieve consistently, not to get ahead, but to keep up by Sophie Maskell
No longer is it enough to simply meet a deadline or pitch a piece: almost every aspect of the literary world requires extra qualifications, strong networks, or ideally both in abundance.
The younger and emerging generation of writers feel frustration when we look at the older generation. “Just try harder! Hard work will be rewarded” has become an aspirational ethos, not the norm. From out-of-touch celebrity culture to lecturers who just don’t get it, the literary world feels as impassable as Wordsworth’s fictional mountain (‘The Prelude’).
Facing constant rejection, the “measured motion” of the literary world comes from ignored emails, imaginative worlds stuck forever in an inbox on some corner of the internet. In fact, rejection itself occurs less than a simple lack of reply, leaving writers feeling isolated and alone. Often, luck plays a bigger role than any other: a well timed pitch, a politely worded follow up email to the correct editor on the correct day. To an outsider, the field appears oversaturated, maybe even unnecessary.
Inside, the flows of creativity and collaboration twist and merge around new universes, new opinions, new ideas. An insightful essay published on Substack inspires a writer to view their character in a slightly different way, and a new New York Times Bestseller is born. Created from luck, chance, imagination, and skill, the pure unlikelihood of the idea reaching fruition elevates it into something beyond comprehension.
For every writer that achieves this goal, fifty others feel they have fallen behind. Some abandon creativity in exchange for stability and economic success. Others work twice as hard to be noticed, taking every possible opportunity, and continuing the gamble. Finally, some sit in the dark, wondering if this was truly what they were made for.
These three caricatures all share the same desire to overachieve, for their genius to be noticed, to survive in an increasingly challenging world. It is no one’s place to judge the things we must do for our continued existence, the ‘part-time on-the-side definitely temporary’ jobs, moving back in with family, or having to leave the literary world entirely. No matter what you do, or who you are, the creative world is waiting, and always will be.
About the Author
Sophie is a university student and aspiring journalist, focusing on fashion and sustainability through a feminist lens. Her work is grounded through her knowledge of classic literature and interest in theology.