the writing life: navigating inevitable failure

The unique nature of writing failure

Unlike failure in business, where financial losses and personnel changes are common, failure in writing is a more personal and persistent struggle. While a lack of sales can lead to hardship, the true failure for a writer often exists in the daily, minute-to-minute comparison against their own ideal. It's an intimately crushing experience, a constant battle against self-doubt, as exemplified by renowned authors like Philip Roth and Alice Munro, who ultimately chose to step away from writing.

Acknowledging the daily grind

Even established writers grapple with the inherent frustrations of the craft. Roth famously described writing as a daily frustration and even humiliation, drawing a parallel to baseball's high failure rate (two-thirds of the time). While external failures like lack of recognition or prestigious opportunities are visible, the deeper, more insidious failures are often invisible to those outside the writing world. These are the quiet battles fought within the writer's mind.

Family expectations and the writer's path

It's a common experience for writers to face misunderstanding from family members who may not grasp the daily struggle. They often encourage more “practical” career paths, like becoming a radiologist, driven by concerns about financial stability. This disconnect highlights the unique challenges writers face, as their daily failures are often intangible and difficult to articulate to those unfamiliar with the creative process.

Logistical and mental hurdles

The writing process itself presents numerous potential failures. It begins with the simple act of getting to your desk and then staying focused. John McPhee’s story of tying himself to his chair illustrates the lengths writers go to overcome procrastination and the allure of distraction. Even with disciplined effort, the mind can wander, and the struggle to maintain focus remains a constant challenge.

The paradox of success and failure

Writers face a paradoxical dilemma: early success can stifle talent, while a lack of immediate recognition can lead to a failure of nerve. The feeling of inadequacy can arise even at moments of apparent triumph. The author recounts a personal experience of feeling nauseated upon finishing their first book, despite receiving praise, due to recognizing flaws within their own work. This highlights the self-critical nature of the writing process.

The enduring nature of self-doubt

The feeling of being a “bona fide failure” as a writer, and the accompanying nausea, doesn't simply disappear with experience. A more seasoned writer candidly admitted that this feeling is a permanent companion. This sentiment is echoed in the extensive archives of The Paris Review Interviews, which offer candid and brutally honest accounts from major writers about their struggles with languor and the constant feeling of failure. Rachel Shteir, author of “The Steal,” further explores this complex landscape.