Evil “Real Writers…” Lists

Djuna Shellam The Write OWL Blog—Episode 11

Once again, I’ve decided to take on the evil “real writers…” lists where some people feel compelled to define what makes an artist, a writer, a musician, or any other vocation that requires creativity “real.” And yes, I do consider them evil for the potential damage they can do to someone who doubts their talent.

In this episode, the silly idea that real writers write everyday and read all the time is the primary subject matter. I share my thoughts on that in the video. I liken lists as a way of trying to pour everyone into the same mold. Balderdash! What makes art interesting is that it doesn’t always conform to what’s expected or required. Can you imagine a world in which all writers were alike? All artists? All filmmakers, musicians?

When I hear that someone may be the next Madonna, or Jackson Pollock, or Elvis, or George Lucas, or JK Rowling, or… some artistic genius, I want to scream. If any of those geniuses had conformed to some “real artists or writers or filmmakers or musicians do this” list, they would never have been the originals. And someone who is deemed the “next” will never achieve what the original did.

My point is, that it’s important, in my humble opinion, for artists to pursue their work and not be so flippin’ ready to conform to some anonymously written list.

I’m passionate about this subject because I allowed myself to be affected by “real writers…” and “real artists…” lists and, I hate to admit it, but they did make me feel inadequate and unsure about who I was for far too long. So many years wasted worrying about other people’s definition of what a writer is. Tsk tsk.

Even today, in today’s Amazon world, there are still those who look down their noses at writers who haven’t been published, and especially if not by a major publishing house, and declare those writers not “real” writers. Pffft! 

Reminder: My third novel in The Em Suite series, Prairie Fire, is now available for presale at Amazon. It officially releases on May 13, 2016. You can check it out HERE.