The Un-Lavish World of Writing

All writers remember their very first story or poem, penned by their own hand.

The feeling of success and the sigh of accomplishment. We have had the feeling of excitement, as we think, “this is what I am meant to do with my life!” We imagine that we will sway our readers with our words. That with ever stroke of a pen or click of a keyboard, we are creating a world of information; a universe of possibilities. I have felt this feeling; I am sure you have, too.
Sadly, many writers will never be able to live out this particular dream. Today, people write to sell. Many do not write from their hearts; if they do, they will most likely be turned away from publishing companies, who are trying to make money for their business. Authors today are encouraged to write shallow, one-dimensional characters instead of endearing and relatable characters, who will be able to able to transcend generations.
Writing, however, is not lost. According to Andrea Lunsford, a professor at Stanford*, we are in a writing Revolution. Today, we write more than at any time in History. As mentioned before, much of this writing is not the lavish, simple brilliance, that we dreamed of when we were younger. Instead, we focus on the every day, and even, mundane writings we encounter, homework, work, and emails to name a few. There is a minuscule amount of time left in our days to write a story or poem that gives us that giddy feeling of a success.
If you think back on the time you have spent on everything else under the sun, except for your true passion, would you want to change it? I would hope you would not. It is our dreams and passions that shape us. It is because of this, that no matter how un-lavish the world of writing has become, writers will cling to the hope for a future which will help them lift their childhood dreams fro the ashes.

CEB

*“Clive Thompson on the New Literacy.” Wired. Conde Nast, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2017.