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THE LAST WORD Kathryn Burnett on how lockdown unexpectedly confirmed that certain myths about writers just will not die.
Being a writer is such a glorious, romantic notion. There you are, typing away in your book-lined apartment or sponsored Tuscan retreat, tinkering with words, wonderful words combined in a fashion that will no doubt find favour when released into the world. You spend your days being creative, or talking about being creative in interesting cafes and your nights alone being exquisitely tortured by artistic insecurity. And the company you keep – well – it’s erudite and witty innit? Except, as anyone who works in the arts knows, the reality of creating anything is somewhat more grinding and distinctly unromantic.
The stereotype of ‘writer alone in garret’ is still seemingly very popular. But have you met many writers? And if so, where did you meet them? Was it out and about, socialising by any chance? Most of the writers I know (and we are talking triple figures here) spent a sizable chunk of the lockdown parked on social media and eagerly organising Zoom drinks at every opportunity. Which leads me to myth #2 – ‘Writers Thrive On Pain In Their Lives to Be Creative’. Oh my good Lord! Or just maybe they have this other thing called an imagination. Pain, like poverty and stress, is not actually conducive to productive, creative work.
During lockdown it became apparent to me that a handful of irritating beliefs about writers are alive and well.
I know a couple of folks who found the stopthe-clocks nature of lockdown terrific for their creative productivity, but not many. And I was certainly not one of them.
Let’s start with this one – that ‘Writers Are Naturally Solitary Creatures’. It was incredible how many people said to me, “well, you’ll be fine during lockdown, you’re used to being at home on your own.” And these are people who have actually met me!
In a recent Auckland Writers Festival interview esteemed writer Neil Gaiman said it used to be that the writing or the “making up place” used to be a refuge from reality but, “it has definitely been harder over the last four months to take refuge in that place.”
Sure. Except for the whole world tipping on its head, paid gigs toppling like dominoes and oh, yeah, being a human being.
I’m with you, Neil, it can be challenging to get into creative flow when shit is going down.
Totally fine.
Or put another way – as a playwright friend said to me during lockdown: “I feel like I’m
