Are Writers Useless, or Needed NOW More than Ever?

This is an issue I’m sure more than a few writers are dealing with in our current state of the world, the value of their work, in a world overrun with pain and suffering. There was no shortage of these things before the Pandemic. Many writers have even been able to excel during difficult times in the world by putting it all on paper in a way that is both healthy for the writer to have those thoughts out of their system, while giving their readers a good read to help them escape their own pain. These times, however, these times are a level of difficulty unlike anything we’ve ever seen in our lifetime. Where does this leave the writers?

One could say, they’re just fine, claiming they’re able to work from home and they have nothing to worry about. When comments like these are said, two things are forgotten. One, not all writers are at the level of Stephen King or Jodi Picoult to be able to work from home, safe from the threat of COVID 19. Many writers live pay to check like many essential workers and have lost their jobs like anyone else. The second thing, even the successful, most creative of writers, are struggling to find their peace in this new world.

They might be wondering if anyone will even want to read what they have to say. They might be wondering if the novel they’ve been working on for the last year will even have any relevance to the struggles of the average person. They might also just be thinking, what’s the point to any of it? What’s the point of creating a great story, when there’s almost too much pain in the world right now to be able to enjoy it?

All questions writers have no doubt asked themselves many times, but all these questions seem to feel heavier with the uncertainty a Pandemic brings.

It all comes down to one thing, and really one thing only, people need stories. No matter what the story may be, it’s the one thing in a reader’s life that can act as the escape they might need to not have to think about the chaos of the world, or at least to not think about it enough to make them sick with worry. When they find that one book that just grabs them, a lot of the worries go away, as they get carried away like with a pair of gentle arms into a story.

Since the beginning of time, we’ve had stories. We’ve had stories told to us in the caves millions of years ago, passed by word of mouth from one person to the next, until books became the way we share these different stories. Whether it’s horror, mystery, romance, or young adult, people are driven by stories. They’re driven by the actions of the characters they love and relate to. They feel safe in a world that’s unfamiliar from their own. Now, whether that’s between the pages of a book that’s pre-ordered online rather than bought in a bookstore, it appears people still have a desire for a good book.

This much can be seen in the authors who’ve had books come out in the wake of this Pandemic. You have Stephen King, who published a book of short stories “If It Bleeds” which did well as most of King’s work does. Heather Gudenkauf published her new novel “This is How I Lied”, signing books ahead of time, rather than the planned in store book signing with readers. Josh Malerman released his book “Malorie” in late July, the sequel to his debut novel “Bird Box”, which appears to be doing just as the previous had done. And then there’s Jodi Picoult who is set to have her next novel “The Book of Two Ways” released in late September.

Based on these truths alone, the fate of the writers and story tellers in this difficult time shouldn’t be threatened. While this should bring some ease to those who are struggling to keep their hopes and inspiration up to keep writing, it isn’t always easy to give oneself that extra push.

I can speak for myself in saying as one who has been writing fiction nonstop for past fifteen years in the hopes to one day be published, all while working full time at various jobs (my current day job being an essential worker in a grocery store), these doubts have been endless. And the thought that comes more often than not, especially after a hard day filled with crippling anxiety, why should I bother if no one will read my work?

My answer, I don’t know how to do anything else but write.

Sure, I work the day jobs; collect the checks the best I can because it’s what I need to do to survive. But if I’m asked what I feel I’ve been put on this earth to do, I will say writing every time. Writing fiction, asking the questions most (myself included much of the time) are too afraid to ask or even attempt to contemplate. It’s the one thing I know I do well, so I do it, whether I’m paid or not, whether readers get it or not.

I can imagine, many other writers, published or not, feel the same way.

So, the future of stories will likely be a long, strong one. It’s the writer himself/herself, who has to decide if it’s worth it.

You know my answer.

What’s your answer?