The wrong generation

I seriously think I was born to the wrong generation.

Not to insult the time I am in, but I wish I was born during the time when writing was something you were talented in, not a crash course you could take in a day.

Everything seems to have a manual these days, everything has rules, everything has standards. Shakespeare didn’t have one, neither did Hemingway. These men just wrote whenever they wanted to, and now look at them.

Before I decided to be a full on writer, I just wrote like them: in whatever way I wanted to. But then I learned the hard truth about writing: everyone else can do it, even though they don’t have the talent to do so. Isn’t it frustrating? How you could want to write with so much passion, and then wuptidoo lookey here, someone who has connections to a publisher got their book published! How you try so hard to enter a competition you weren’t even comfortable with because more people like those who won awards, and then whoooooosh! A kid who was trained by a professional won.

I’m not really bitter about writing. I love writing. It’s the world that gave writing the wrong definition. Writing should be something shared freely, without rules or boundaries. I mean, I’m just fed up because I’m usually “out there” with my ideas that no one seems to understand.

If only I was born in the time when writing was an art and not a job. I’d even like to live in the time when writing was banned, but I’d still write because I love to. I write because I can’t help it, but I can’t be credited for it because I don’t fit in with everyone’s standards.

Writers read and quote this book.
(I like to be original thank you.)

Writers should write a million words a day.
(Okay maybe just a thousand, but most of us suffer writer’s block)

Writers have to live through being poor or stuff like that.
(Life has already hardships. Now I have to chose to go through them?)

Writers shouldn’t publish their works when submitting to a contest.
(How about us bloggers?)

But how about me? I’m just an eighteen year old girl without a mentor, who lives in the Philippines, struggling to finish college, who doesn’t read Hemingway or Tolstoy, and just wants to write because if I don’t I lose it.

This generation makes struggling writers like me struggle more because of nonsense definitions.

I love to read and write instead of partying or drinking. I rush to the nearest bookstore instead of the nearest sale. I’ve been different my whole life, always lost in a world I’m either reading or creating. I don’t have anyone to relate with, but that’s okay.

If that means that I should try harder, then let it be.

I am Le-an Lai Lacaba, 18 from Tacloban City, Philippines. I will be graduating from college next year, and I’m going to pursue my career as a writer. No matter what anyone says, I’m a writer. And I will sure as hell prove that.

———————
Just a little rant. I’m just frustrated because weeks after applying for so many jobs and entering competitions, I still have nothing 🙁

32 thoughts on “The wrong generation”

  1. Honestly, I think you have already proven it. You are only 18 and you have already been published. I have been reading your stuff for a while now, too, and you are very talented. Anyone can write, but not anyone can be good at it. You are VERY good.

  2. I've heard people say they were born in the wrong generation before too. 🙂 It's good that you like to read and write instead of partying. You're already loads ahead of others in terms of maturity and progress. That's a good thing. 🙂

  4. I whole heartily agreed!! I suffer the same roadblocks and struggles as a singer. Now there are so many rules; and techniques you have to follow. I can't just sing for the pleasure of it. So many people can sing now. Where eons ago; you could just enjoy it and succeed because you were talented. not because you were mentored by a professional. Or had the right "look" about you.

  6. It doesn't matter if you don't win competition or get offered jobs. You write because you love to write, and there will be many people out their who will love to read your words, like me for one

  7. Applying for jobs is hard. Especially nowadays. I feel like I was born in the wrong generation as well. I hope you figure it all out! Good luck with your job search 🙂

  9. Don't give up! As the saying goes " Try and try until you succeed!" – You will get it someday! Writing is your passion, do it, follow your heart!

  13. Don't be discouraged. Good things will come. Maybe not this year but they will come. You are a very talented writer and someone will pick up on that and make you an offer and you will shine when they do.

  15. This reminded me of the Real Housewives of New York as they same issue is happening right now. I agree with you. To work hard to be a professional at something and then someone who does not have the passion for it get something for it would be hard.

  16. It is like that with every profession out there unfortunately. Keep trying, eventually the frauds are seen for what they are and the ones that actually have passion and skills are recognized.

  17. Even your rants are beautiful. I think the best thing you can do is just what you're doing. People that are recognized for their connections will always be around, but I think most readers can spot real talent when they take the time.

  19. It's so hard when others way less talented get further ahead because of their lucky connections. However, I do believe hard work does pay off, and I have a feeling it's going to work out well for you. You have a tremendous amount of talent that shines through with each blog post you publish!

  21. Sorry you're having a bad time…but if you really want to be a writer, then be one. There is such a demand for writers these days that there is no reason why you cannot find some work. I don't want to pick at you, but you might want to read this article I wrote for Kikolani some time ago– it discusses being a writer when English is not your first language, and how you can improve your

  22. This is so funny as I think the same thing as well. I was just talking to my friend the other day about this. What a lovely post you wrote. thank you

  23. It's like this for all artistic fields: writing, music,painting…many of the people who "make it" aren't very talented. Many truly talented people never make a dime. My tip from being a professional artist: You need to be just as good at marketing your work (or know someone who will promote you) as actually doing it. That's the only way you will make a living in an artistic

  25. Interesting! Sometimes I feel the same! I really would love to see how the other eras were and how people really lived.

  29. It does seem like there are a million rules for everything these days. With new ones being made all the time! I can see the point of some rules but too many can take the passion out of whatever your talent is. I say keep going, there are so many talented people out there who are turned down so many times until one day they were accepted and recognized for those amazing talents! If nothing else,

  31. I think you're a great writer! And it's nice to know, at this early stage in your life, what you aspire to do. Best of luck to you!

Comments are closed.